1979 350 carb into r10 tbi 305 truck

[Emh530]

Guys, I could use a little help. The motor in my 87 r10 spun a bearing on me the other day on the way up a large incline. It’s an Original 305/700r4 with all the factory tbi in place which is all working well. I was going to order a replacement 350 from jegs but they told me nothing is available until late August at the soonest! I just can’t wait that long and need the truck around the farm this summer.

I’ve got a great running ‘79 350 carb motor and trans. However, I’m seeing some differences. What kind of issues am I going to run into when I swap this motor into the truck? It does a have a little cam in it with an edelbrock intake and carb. Not sure what cam or if it’s enough for the tbi computer to notice.

Should I try to get a tbi adapter or just roll with carb or is that just as big of a mess...? I know I’ll have to get a different fuel pump or regulator. Curious about trans and other potential issues I’ll run into. Not worried about fuel economy.

Just looking for some suggestions.

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[crpntr78]

Just put the TBI intake from your old engine onto the new engine. Also change out the distributor. Everything else should be plug and play.

 

[Eliot]

Thanks for the response, that is good news. I do prefer to swap over the tbi to the donor 350 (make it look like it belongs there as before). Other than what you've mentioned above, is there anything I might want to double check or swap over just to be safe? Flywheel/flex plate. Should I anticipate on modifying the holes on my tbi intake to fit on the 350?

 

[crpntr78]

I'm pretty sure that's all there is to it . I believe you only have to rework the intake holes if you had vortec heads.

 

[Emh530]

I guess I’ll soon find out and report back here. Thanks for the help.

 

[Lugnut]

The 87 TBI should have centerbolt valve covers, they weren't vortex heads but have that style valve cover. So yes the TBI intake center holes will be on the wrong angle. Also that will be a 1 piece rear main seal engine, so the flex plate will not swap to the '79 350, external balanced vs internal balanced. Use the 79 flexplate and possibly the starter depending on the size of the flexplate (153 vs. 168 tooth). You can block off the fuel pump with a plate on the side of the 350 and use the original fuel pump in the tank. Most everything else should be pretty much plug and play.

By the way nice looking truck.

 

[Emh530]

Ok I’ll take a close look at that. It does have the center Bolt valve covers. I’ve read I can modify the tbi intake center holes to work, hoping that to be true. Hoping to pull the motor tonight.

and thanks

 

[mcarlo86]

Check out https://harristuning.com/Tbi/

Depending on the grind of the cam, you may want to consider having a custom chip burned.

 

[68post]

delete

 

[75gmck25]

I have no experience with this product, but it seems like a simple way to adapt the TBI throttle body to your carb intake.

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[Grit dog]

Well, the OP musta got 'er running, or he'd a probably been back here with more questions....
Still been nice to get an update, as this is probably a fairly common swap. Them 1987 engines aren't getting any newer!