1986 305 to 350

[Shawn]

So my 86 C-20's 305 has a bent pushrod and its lifter is falling apart. I want to swap in a 350.

From what I can gather, 1986 is the bastard year SBC. Everything says pre-86 and 87-newer. What makes the 86 stand alone? Can I easily swap a pre-86 or post 87 350 into my 86?

I'm obviously replacing the entire engine. Everything forward of the transmission is coming out and being replaced.

I'm not looking for something more than a stock 350 for this truck. My wife and I talked about budget and came up with $2,500 or less all said and done for the swap. What are my options? Where are some good places to buy?

(Hope this isn't too vague)

 

[Boone83K10]

Any SBC will go into your truck. It is just a matter of what you want to keep or throw away. (emissions, change to TBI, change to FI etc)

rebuilding the engine you have would probably be the cheapest. getting a crate motor would be the next.

You could order a GM 350 crate from Jet Chevrolet in Federal Way, WA for $2200 according to dealer pricing search on chevroletperformance.com.

 

[Shawn]

Any SBC will go into your truck. It is just a matter of what you want to keep or throw away. (emissions, change to TBI, change to FI etc)

rebuilding the engine you have would probably be the cheapest. getting a crate motor would be the next.

I'm good with tossing emissions and keeping carbed. Looking for a crate 350.

 

[bucket]

You can put in whatever you want without much trouble. The newer will be easier, you can reuse your stock balancer, oil pan and flexplate/flywheel. You just have to slot the middle mounting holes of your current intake IF the replacement motor has '87-up style "centerbolt" heads. Oh yeah, you would need centerbolt style valve covers too.