Well, here we go again.
About 3 years ago, before having heart surgery, I installed a 350 Chevy engine to replace the blown-up 235 in my '52. My first choice was a 292, but I couldn't find any at the time, and had a 350 sitting in my garage, in running condition. I made sure to make my swap reversible, in case I ever wanted to go back to a stovebolt engine.
Well, it ran pretty good, once I finally got the carb and timing tuned. The install wasn't real pretty, because I was hurrying, since I knew I might not be able to do stuff like this for awhile after surgery. The power in secondaries actually felt pretty good. But in order to have enough room, I had to shim the steering box outward and turn some shorty headers upside down; so the exhaust is kind of exotic-looking, sort of like an inboard boat motor. Here's a pic...
http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv9/axeimen/GMCEngine.jpgAnd here's the truck...
http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv9/axeimen/52GMC.jpgAbout the past year or so, I've been getting a steadily increasing noise upon start-up, that sounds like a Jamaican steel drum. But it goes away when it warms up. My machinist thinks a piston is cracked, so I've parked it while I look for a new motor. This is a 4-bolt 350 block, but it's already bored 0.030" over. So I'm looking for a new one.
I think I found one, a Vortec 350 from a 1995 Suburban. With Vortec heads, roller cam, and 1-piece rear main seal, it should do pretty good; better than my old 350. I'm going to keep the cam mild, for fuel economy and torque. But the big change is that I'm going to bolt on a Tuned Port Injection EFI from an 80's Corvette. I've got almost the complete setup. Here's the photo of one. It's the best motor Chevy "never" put in a truck.
http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv9/axeimen/52GMC.jpgI'm expecting more torque than hp. Computer estimates give me 402 lb-ft, which I don't doubt. If I could rev high enough, power would be about 370 hp, but TPIs are known to be limited on the top end, which would put me at probably about 100 hp less than that. Still, it should run very very well, and in a truck, torque is more what you want anyway.
I'm still using the stock SM-420 manual transmission, and I have an SM-465 I could use for it, but frankly, I'd rather put a good Muncie M-21 under it for the improved and more usable gear ratios.
The rear end is a Dana 60 posi, with 3.55 gearing. The wheels are year 2000 GMC chrome 16" wheels with 275/65R-16 all season radials. The brakes are upgraded with an under-floor power brake system, which works great. The exhaust is a home-built 2.5" mandrel side-exhaust exiting with slash tips just in front of the rear wheels.
One big change I plan to do with the motor swap this time is to redo the steering. I have a manual rack and pinion I'd like to adapt. But since I still have the solid front axle, I'll have to buy a crossmember to mount the steering on to. Someday I'll do an independent front suspension, but not this year.
And it's time to get the GMC Victory Red re-shot onto the body.
Now...if I can only get it quieter inside...
