First engine project...swap just vortec heads onto old block or swap entire vortec?

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Warkmeister

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hello everyone, please pardon the dumb questions for my first swap here. My 81 K30 crew has a 350 with bad valves in both heads and I have a trip coming up in about a month that I really need to be able to use my own truck instead of putting someone else out. I have a free, was running well, 97 5.7 vortec available to me that has 160k on it. Currently running an sm465, and the vortec had an auto. I’d keep the manual in the truck for the swap and move the clutch over. I want to stay carbed, as my current 350 has an Edelbrock 1406 and headers that I believe I can reuse. In my limited research it looks as though I can swap all my accessories over to the vortec (old style water pump, mechanical fuel pump, pulleys), add a new vortec carb intake, and bolt on my carb. Could it really be that simple?

Due to time and the engine I have access to, what is my cheapest fastest option?
1. Valve job on both current heads?
2. Swap vortec heads and buy vortec carb intake? (Do I need new pushrods?)
3. Swap the entire vortec with my older sbc accessories?
4. Other?

All this to say, this is a short, 1 year solution until I’ve gathered all the parts and tools to finish my 89 non-ic 12 valve swap in this truck. Thank you. I look forward to the knowledge of the masses.
 

Ichy62

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Rich
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hello everyone, please pardon the dumb questions for my first swap here. My 81 K30 crew has a 350 with bad valves in both heads and I have a trip coming up in about a month that I really need to be able to use my own truck instead of putting someone else out. I have a free, was running well, 97 5.7 vortec available to me that has 160k on it. Currently running an sm465, and the vortec had an auto. I’d keep the manual in the truck for the swap and move the clutch over. I want to stay carbed, as my current 350 has an Edelbrock 1406 and headers that I believe I can reuse. In my limited research it looks as though I can swap all my accessories over to the vortec (old style water pump, mechanical fuel pump, pulleys), add a new vortec carb intake, and bolt on my carb. Could it really be that simple?

Due to time and the engine I have access to, what is my cheapest fastest option?
1. Valve job on both current heads?
2. Swap vortec heads and buy vortec carb intake? (Do I need new pushrods?)
3. Swap the entire vortec with my older sbc accessories?
4. Other?

All this to say, this is a short, 1 year solution until I’ve gathered all the parts and tools to finish my 89 non-ic 12 valve swap in this truck. Thank you. I look forward to the knowledge of the masses.
The whole vortec engine is better in the long run as it has factory roller cam. You will have to get a carb 8 bolt intake manifold to fit the Vortec heads, summit has them. This is a good swap
 

Ichy62

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327
The whole vortec engine is better in the long run as it has factory roller cam. You will have to get a carb 8 bolt intake manifold to fit the Vortec heads, summit has them. You will need a good 7lb electric fuel pump as the 97s had none. This is a good swap
 

Ricko1966

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Honestly if I was going to do it for the money and problems of a vortec wet manifold. I'd go to the bone yard and grab pcm and as much of the harness as I could from a vortec pickup and use the vortec complete with vortec injection. Plan b find some good as is pre vortec heads and save the vortec for a later time. I found some good super low mile crate motor take offs on ebay last month for under 200.00. Also I believe you are going to need a different flywheel to swap in the vortec engine. Actually if you only have 30 days and I imagine a job to got to which further limits time. A pair of replacement heads is a 1 day job,no surprise no bugs to work out.
 
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Ricko1966

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Oops!!!!
 

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