Just a big headache

[dazedandconfused]

Well I won't know anymore until I pull it the rest of the way apart next week. This will be the first one I've tore down that hasn't beat up the top of the piston or head/valves. The owner is trying to make up his mind what he wants to do. He asked me if I'd do the work to put a Cummins in it.

[Mark Nixon]

Andy, IMHO, if he wants to put a Cummins in it, you'd be wise to feel him out to see if he's going to want to "cheap out" after this fiasco.
It's not a fun task to do a swap on that era of Chevy, on a shoestring budget, while trying to cut corners.

Mark.

[dazedandconfused]

Well he is one that always wants it done right. He needs it for a work truck which blew my mind when he put the 383 in it. Problem is finding a donor around here for a decent price. I told him to think long and hard to make up his mind. I've set a few others that era up for a swap just never finished them. This truck is a 5 speed so would be easier then the others.

[Mark Nixon]

Well, if it's a '95-up 5 speed, then it'll be fairly simple to swap inputs to run the dodge clutch and bell.
Earlier CAN get tricky, but it's still do-able.
This assumes that he already has an NV4500 in it.

Mark.

[dazedandconfused]

Yeah it's a 99 with the NV4500 truck right now. If I can't find a decent donor it's pointless though.

[CumminsPower59]

Here is my question though, out of curiosity, why did he choose to ditch the Vortec engine that the truck came with? Years ago when I ran gasser Chevys', there were a few guys who would ditch the TBI and Vortec equipped EFI infavor of Carburetors. I never understood it. I liked not having to tune it, which I never really could, and when I sold each truck, it would sell easier compared to my firends' trucks just because it appeared stockish. I am swapping a 350 Vortec right now out of a Yukon, the owner asked me if it was feasable to put a carb equipped engine in it, I said, it may be cheaper, but for driveablity and what not, I will spend the little extra time and money and put another Vortec in it, so it will be good for him and his wife.

my $0.02

[Mark Nixon]

I sell VE engines for $1400, with the coolers and all accessories.
I should have a bell, flywheel, clutch, block plate, bearing retainer and input for Dodge NV4500 for $450.
I routinely sell the bells alone for $200.

What else would he need?

Mark.

[ellis93]

Here is my question though, out of curiosity, why did he choose to ditch the Vortec engine that the truck came with? Years ago when I ran gasser Chevys', there were a few guys who would ditch the TBI and Vortec equipped EFI infavor of Carburetors. I never understood it. I liked not having to tune it, which I never really could, and when I sold each truck, it would sell easier compared to my firends' trucks just because it appeared stockish. I am swapping a 350 Vortec right now out of a Yukon, the owner asked me if it was feasable to put a carb equipped engine in it, I said, it may be cheaper, but for driveablity and what not, I will spend the little extra time and money and put another Vortec in it, so it will be good for him and his wife.

my $0.02

Ditto

[dazedandconfused]

The vortec never ran right and gave him nothing but trouble over the years. Another guy talked him into ditching the fuel injection though. He has a 454 I put in a 70 for him that I think will end up in this truck after talking to him today.

[dazedandconfused]

Well I got the other engine pulled with the help of my buddy and his tractor. The guy gave him all his money back on the 383 and I'm working on putting a 454 in it right now. Few questions on that though. What was the first year for the serpentine setup on the 454 and did they change bolt patterns on the newer vortec 454 accessorie drives? The 454 is out of a 84 dually I owned and sold the motor to him.

[ellis93]

Dazed from my memory,I think that they started with the serp belts in 89. And I don't remember any hole changes in the front of the motors. Most of the chevy ton truck around here are 6.5 diesel.

IMHO I'd stay away from the early belt systems,their brackets suck when tryin to figure were they go

[dazedandconfused]

Well right now I have nothing but a V-belt alternator so I have to find something. I wonder if the 6.5 stuff is the same as the big block???

[ellis93]

Nope,its way off.

[dazedandconfused]

Well chit. There are three of them at the local pull and pay.

[ellis93]

If their cheap enough you could see if you could mod them to fit. At least for the power steering pump