Topic: Chev 350ci Question...

[pg2676]

Bought a 1997 Chev 3/4ton Ext. Cab Long Box 2wd 5.7L pickup this past spring as a towing vehicle for our travel trailer and various "truck duties".  Despite having just over 300,000km on it, and needing a few nit-picky maintenance jobs done (fuel pump already failed on me), it runs great, is clean as a whistle, and tows my 30' travel trailer with the ATV in the back quite well.

Here's my question...

Despite it's condition, the motor does have over 300K km and I need to prepare for the fact that I may be looking at an engine swap in the near future.  I'd like to buy a 350 block and build a slightly better than stock engine, about a 350hp unit that matched to the 4L80E tranny that's already in it, will be a great towing rig.  I may have access to a 350 block from the 70's, and I am wondering if their are any differences I should be concerned about vs. a 350 Vortec engine from the late 90's?  Other than the top end components being completely different, the blocks should be the same(?) 

Anyone able to shed some light on this?

Thanks in advance.
PG

[rrocket]

What's wrong with the Vortec block??? 

[pg2676]

Nothing is wrong with it, but I want to have a fresh motor "on standby" when it comes time to swap engines.

[airbalancer]

with some TLC that motor will be good for over 500,000 kmit the othe stuff I be worried about

[bridgecity]

Have you looked into a crate motor?  I'm wondering if buying a crate motor would be anymore expensive than rebuilding one.  My father in law put a 350 crate in his late 90's chev within the past year.  He's rebuilt many a motors in his time, so its not like he didn't have the capability to do so, but he went with a crate.  May be something to look into.

[pg2676]

Have you looked into a crate motor?  I'm wondering if buying a crate motor would be anymore expensive than rebuilding one.  My father in law put a 350 crate in his late 90's chev within the past year.  He's rebuilt many a motors in his time, so its not like he didn't have the capability to do so, but he went with a crate.  May be something to look into.

That was my other thought was to buy a crate motor which usually comes with the bottom end and heads.  I could yank the truck motor, swap over the intake, throttle body, and valve covers, new water pump, power steering pump, and toss it in.  After that I have a spare 350 block I can do what I want with. 

[rrocket]

Have you looked into a crate motor?  I'm wondering if buying a crate motor would be anymore expensive than rebuilding one.  My father in law put a 350 crate in his late 90's chev within the past year.  He's rebuilt many a motors in his time, so its not like he didn't have the capability to do so, but he went with a crate.  May be something to look into.

That was my other thought was to buy a crate motor which usually comes with the bottom end and heads.  I could yank the truck motor, swap over the intake, throttle body, and valve covers, new water pump, power steering pump, and toss it in.  After that I have a spare 350 block I can do what I want with. 

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12530282/

[blur911]

I think there's a difference in how the intakes bolt up, can't remember exactly what.  The dipstick changed sides somewhere in there too.
Rear main seal is different,  also roller cams in the Vortec.