Get my 350 machined or junkyard swap it (vortec 5.7, 6.0 or 7.4)

[Justin Willey]

The original 350 in my truck was blown to hell and back and I have a racecar 350 engine my grandfather had in his racecar that's seen better days, it's rusted and where it's not rusted it's gunked up including the oil and water gallys. All I have of it left is the block, and heads. But I could pick up a pretty good full used vortec for less than a 800$. I would like to use my th350 with the transfer case. I'm trying to make this build as cheap as I can make it because I know it'll be a pretty penny to get everything Right so I'd like to make it all as cheap as possible.

I plan on eventually vortec swapping it anyways and putting the 350 in a racecar but I feel I'm losing my want to finish the project and if I maybe have a win and Get it moving I may be more inclined to get it going even more so whatever is the cheapest im willing

 

[Rusty Nail]

Since cheap is the goal , prolly best to rebuild what you already have AND since you may feel like "losing want", swapping to a vortex is a P.I.T.A. laying in wait. An expensive P.I.T.A. at that.

baby steps Bob

If / when you get her running again, that may re-invigorate some of your desires.

Others nay have different opinions but that is mine.

What about Bob? Baby steps.

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[Camar068]

yeh what Rusty said. Save the LS for later and if your afraid of wiring, just put a cam and a carb in/on the LS.

 

[75gmck25]

Don’t get confused. Swapping in a 350 with Vortec heads is much simpler and cheaper than an LS swap. You definitely need a Vortec intake manifold and most likely an electric fuel pump (very few 350 Vortec blocks are machined for a mechanical pump). There are also other odds and ends needed, but overall it should just drop in as a replacement, and bolt right to your TH350 (you will need a flywheel for a one piece rear main seal).

It’s also fairly common for Vortec iron heads to be cracked by overheating, so the heads need to be checked by a machine shop. However, the Vortec 350’s higher compression, good flowing 64 cc heads, and roller cam are all big improvements from your old 350. You can put together a reliable 325-350 hp engine with simple bolt-ons.