Fast355

iTrader: (2)

So the 305 was in much worse internal shape than I thought. Blew a valve cover gasket while we were playing in it the other night. Although I will say the car ran an under 7 second 0-60 with the internally stock, but trashed 209K 305 TBI. When we pulled the valve covers we found an engine in dire need of help. Its a sludge motor that was so gunked up the passenger head had a good quart of oil in it from the drainback holes being completely plugged. Also likely explains the startup and idle oil soke.

As luck would happen when we were at the exhaust shop getting the exhaust fabbed they had a 2000 Express on the rack with milky oil and coolant loss. Well we scored the 5.7 long block for the junkyard core value of $275.00. We started pulling things apart after getting it home and noticed that the intake gasket was broken around the from water ports. Performed a leak down test and it was very evey across the board with only #2 showing slightly intake valve leakage. The engine itself is internally spotless with no sludge or carbon buildup. I am headed back outside shortly to yank the nasty 305 TBI to swap over parts for the 350.

I am taking many pictures to post on here.

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

Subbed...

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

Here are some pictures from today....







The shop believe it had head gasket issues and the customer had elected to just put a LKQ Junkyard engine in it with a warranty. Core value was $275.00. Not bad for a 4-bolt main 350 with a factory roller cam and vortec heads with under 100K on it..



Headed to her new home


Fully expecting to have to change the head gaskets, picked up a Felpro headset for a 5.7 Vortec. Well as I pulled the crappy Vortec CPFI off the top, I discovered the intake gaskets had become brittle and the intake gaskets had split apart around the water passage o-rings on the passenger bank. The amount of coolant in the oil is very minimal and the internal parts of the engine are practically spotless. Much better shape than the 209K mile, neglected 305 TBI.

The leakdown tests are within a few percent of each other. I realized about 2 cylinders in that I had not zero'd the leak down gauge tool prior to starting, but didn't worry about it as all cylinders measured within a couple of % of each other.



Planning on runing the Victor Jr, marine TBI adapter and 2" bore SBC Marine TBI unit on the engine with low pressure big block injectors. For the moment tuning will be handled with my Moates Autoprom Emulator and the EBL Classic.

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

I don't blame you one bit for going with the 350, I myself am questioning why I even bother with the 305 when I have a 355 still sitting in the shed collecting dust. Am anticipating which cam you decide to go with in the end, as well as how much stall, as well as gearing that we're going to see. This is definitely going to be a fun third gen project, and its long overdue for you lol. I got a kick out of the cowl area in your pic, as I must have lost so many small tools, nuts and bolts both there, as well as by the headlight motors, cuz the area just begs for spare tools and parts to be placed and lost lol...

morgsie

iTrader: (1)

No MAF on this single plane setup? I thought the MAP based TBI stuff didn't like single plane intakes? Or is that just from cold startup until warm there are drivability issues? How are you running your brake booster and other vacuum accessories on the Vic Jr?

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

Funny as this may sound, I found out the whole GM LT4 Hotcam kit with 1.6:1 roller rockers is only ~ $579.00.

As for the gearing, it will likely be a Limited Slip 3.73 (GT4 & G80) G80 out of a 4x4 2.8 S10 Jimmy/Blazer.

The converter will be a Remanufactured 95+ 4.3 S10 CPI.

Transmission will get a Transgo 2-3 Shift Kit, Corvette governor, and a few other goodies from PATC.

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

I have never had an issue with the GM MAP TBI on a single plane although they run real well with the MAF TBI code. I ran the Vic Jr 2bbl on my Van for a long time with the GM 7427 PCM running it and a 4L60E behind it banging the gears at ~ 6,500.

As for vacuum fittings, nothing a drill and tap will not fix. The plenum of the victor junior has flat spots on all 4 sides that have more than 1/2" of thickness. Aluminum is easy to drill and tap. Most common tapped sizes are 1/4 and 3/8 NPT. I have a 1/4 and 3/8" NPT taps and the recomeended drills for both.

May step back to a GMPP Carbed Vortec intake I have hanging around the garage. It will keep me from having to buy a cowl hood immediately. Also more of a sleep to be able to stuff it under a stock hood.

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

This is quite litterally the hardest engine swap I have ever worked on. I pulled an engine out of a full size Express conversion van in 1/2 the time it has taken on this car. It only took me two weekends to swap from 4.7 to 5.7 Hemi in my 2006 Ram.

Going back in without all the air pump and smog lines and heater diverter hoses and all that extra JUNK will be a blessing. I am reminded now the reason I never picked up one of these years ago.

RFmaster

Did a similar engine swap 9 month ago - helped a friend of my to get his 89 going again. Similar circumstances, 305 was burning oil and failing HC, CO limits. We scored a complete LO5 from a wrecked 95 burban - with 150k on odometer. Pulled valve covers and oil pan for inspection - no sludge. Burban was t-boned, but we tested engine on my test stand before dropping it in. My knuckles are just now are back to normal and he owes me more than one favor!

Unfortunately, we have to keep ALL 'extra Junk'..

Subscribing - should be interesting!

//RF

morgsie

iTrader: (1)

Good to know fast even though I just got my car on the road was thinking about swapping to this intake. I had tried to contact you a year ago to ask about this intake but ended up going with the Performer RPM. Of course the vic jr is half the price... Really tired of spending money on my car though lol.

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

I just thought I would update. We pulled the motor out of this car and found that the body had hidden damage on the frame work. We pulled the 700r4 out of it, kept all the accessories and brackets, yanked the TBI harness and sent the car to the wrecking yard.

We put the vortec heads from the L31 motor on a friend of a friends truck and made some $$$.

Then we put a set of TBI heads on the shortblock and put that motor in the 1980 C10 truck we are working on and backed it up to a stock stalled 4L60E running a 7427 ECM and harness from a 95 G20 van.