350 TBI to Carb Swap

[87Lowrider]

I getting ready to drop the big block into the lowrider this winter so I'm gonna take the 350 in there now and put it into the 78 Camaro I'm building for my daughter. I want to change the motor to carbureted instead of TBI before I put it in the Camaro.

Someone told me to beware when changing the intake on the '87 350 because the angle of the mounting bolt of the heads were different than from older heads... is this true?

If so, I'd rather not rebuild the whole top end with different heads if I can find an intake that will bolt up and support a carb.

Thoughts?


Kenny

[87chevy.com]

yeah, 87 have the vortech heads. the 2 center bolts are strait down vs earlier motors are all the same, angled. now you can buy a 230 dollar edlebrock manifold new or simply put some time and going to the pick and pull junk yards. there were cars with vortec heads and carb intakes and you can pick one up for 15 bones or so.
clint

[MylilBowTie]

Those arent vortec heads they are tbi heads. Being center bolt valve covers dont make them vortec heads. Vortec heads have 8 retaining bolts, two on each corner. You can use an older intake but you have to clearance or cut the center bolt holes. There are one or two years that Caprices and some G-body cars had tbi heads and carb intakes. But those are rare and hard to find.

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...evy/index.html

[87Lowrider]

It may be easier to go ahead and buy the intake and carb and be done with it... I'll search edelbrock.com and try and find the right one.

Thanks!

[87Lowrider]

I read the article.. I'll check to see which that I have so I can get the right thing.... Thanks!

[MylilBowTie]

You can buy the Edelbrock one but it is way cheaper to mod an older intake to work.

[87Lowrider]

thanks again!!!

[87rado]

I had an 87 305 TBI and most of the parts were different. I did tear down a rebuild a carbed 305 out of an 84 Camaro.
heads were certainly different. I wanted to use as much of the original TBI as possible. I found I couldn't use any of the actual engine parts. Flywheel, starter, HB, and most of the accessory brackets were different. I was able to modify the AC brackets and get all the front end stuff to work on the 84. I originally wanted to just add a carb and intake to my TBI, but after pulling my intake off, I saw it was pretty shot and would have taken lots of work.
I got the recently rebuilt 305 from a buddy at salvage yard for $150. I tore it apart sceptically, but he was right. Insides looked brand new. I redid everything anyway and I probably have 150,000 on it now. Still purrin.

[MylilBowTie]

1986 and newer blocks have different crankshafts and flexplates. The center bore on the flexplate is smaller. The crankshafts have a one piece rear main seal vs the older two piece. 1987 and newer also started using center bolt valve covers. Some blocks are setup for roller cams. Mostly in the f-bodys it started depending on the year. Some truck blocks would be setup for roller cams but have the flat tappet cams. Timing chains are different a little bit on the cam gear older to newer. Even with both being flat tappet cams.

These are just small changes but that's what makes them different. I probably missed something but I think I have the majority of the changes.

[87Lowrider]

Lots of stuff to consider. Maybe I'll sell the motor and find me something a little older to put into the camaro. Thanks for the info!!!

[Srubydo1986]

its an easy change edlebrock makes the intake to do it I already have and its a peice of cake. just make shure when u service the car u say the right year for the engine

[87Lowrider]

Cool!

I ordered the Intake and Carb today from Jegs. Pulling the motor this weekend. Getting the truck ready for a smokin' big block transplant this winter.


Kenny

[Pyrotechnic]

Anyone know about the cam differences between TBI ? I've heard of the swap working both ways without a cam change, but I know carbureted and EFI cam designs differ slightly. With the motor out, it may be something to look into ?