Thread: 350 gen I vs vortec rebuild

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So I am in the process of rebuilding a 96 vortec 350. I have been searching for rebuild kits and was getting confused about differences between and older 350 and the vortec engine so I wanted to post on here to get yalls expertise. From my understanding the vortec is a gen I block with different heads and the crank has a one piece rear seal. So could I buy regular gen I parts such as pistons, rings, bearings, timing chain, oil pump, and should only be concerned with different gaskets? I have found different part numbers for oil pumps and timing chains and wonder why if the block is the same.

Not much is interchangeable, oil pump, main bearings, rod bearings, pistons and rods.

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So are you saying the only things that ARE interchangeable are the oil pump, rod and main bearings, pistons and rings? Everything else will have to be vortec specific? What about the rods themselves, and I have a brand new timing chain and windage tray sitting on the shelf. I am going to be putting on an intake and carburetor and this is going to be swapping out a v6 in a 1994 single cab c1500. I want to beef up a 350 and figured this would be a good candidate because it was a roller engine. I have several older 350 but they would have to be machined and I was hoping to save that money to put else where. I'm not looking for high horsepower but want to concentrate on getting as much torque as my dollars will allow. Any suggestions?

Your biggest issue going to a carb/intake on the vortec heads is bolt pattern/angle of heads to manifold-you'll need to look at the Edelbrock manifolds for carbs on those heads
windage tray is related to maincaps and oil pan-may or may not fit without a hammer
I think the front cover is different but not sure and I don't think it would be an issue.
Timing chain/gears-roller cams need a thrust plate to hold them in place and your upper gear might not be compatable
One piece seal crank, rods, pistons not an issue except the flywheel bolt pattern is smaller circle and crank MIGHT or NOT be internal / external balance so flexplate/flywheel needs to match the parts you have.

Vortec heads were best they ever built for streetable power

Originally Posted by mplumb59

So are you saying the only things that ARE interchangeable are the oil pump, rod and main bearings, pistons and rings? Everything else will have to be vortec specific? What about the rods themselves.

Rods and pistons will interchange. Heads were designed for flat-top pistons.

Originally Posted by mplumb59

Any suggestions?

Yes, rather than setting yourself up for some pretty stiff Federal fines for defeating factory emissions control systems, rebuild the V6, sell the truck and purchase an older platform that will be emissions exempt so you can use a carburetor on the L31.

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Duplicate post. Please remove.

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No emissions concerns for me here in Louisiana and if this state ever moves in that direction this truck will likely be an antique. I really like this body style for the project I'm building and don't want to go with anything different. I have thought about an ls swap too but I'm not real big on computers. My issues are what should I build, the vortec, a 60's or 70's 350 or do the ls1.

Originally Posted by mplumb59

No emissions concerns for me here in Louisiana and if this state ever moves in that direction this truck will likely be an antique. I really like this body style for the project I'm building and don't want to go with anything different. I have thought about an ls swap too but I'm not real big on computers. My issues are what should I build, the vortec, a 60's or 70's 350 or do the ls1.

You failed to read my reply. I said FEDERAL, not State. I don't do anything that is against the law and I strongly recommend that you don't either. The first emissions controls showed up on the 1967 model year, so choose any truck built before then and have at it.

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Yep, misread your post. Thanks for clearing that up for me. Guess I'll have to reconsider build. Thanks for the input.

If your worried about emission, you probably don't need a hot rod, get yourself a hopped up electric job. Hot rods don't do well with cat converters and such. Emissions laws are the sole reason they don't build muscle cars anymore.

Originally Posted by ringknocker

Emissions laws are the sole reason they don't build muscle cars anymore.

Ahhhh, Hellcat, GT350, Z06, Z28......

Ringknocker??????? heard that term a few times---------

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

Ringknocker??????? heard that term a few times---------

Commonly known as the "Annapolis Protection Society"