Crate 350 on its way to my '62: What else do I need?

[Vincenthdfan]

Hi all,
I have a new crate 350 coming from Jegs to replace my tired 283 as we speak.

I've ordered up an intake, gaskets, water pump, alternator mount, dip stick, breather caps, etc...

It just dawned on me that I'm also going to need a new style oil pressure sending unit and electrical gauge.

Temperature sending unit?

Not sure what I can swap from the 283 to the 350 yet, since I haven't got the 350 here yet.

To those that have already been down this road, what am I forgetting?

Any experiences to share with sending units and gauges??

I'd like to get anything and everything ordered during this lag time so I'm not waiting once the motor is here.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Kenfuzed]

I recently went from a 250 to 350 and was able to keep the existing senders (oil, temp).

A few things I replaced that may apply to you as well included engine mounts, high torque starter, new wires, electric fuel pump, new P/S pump hoses, and belts.

Assuming the new engine will use an HEI distributor, you'll need to replace the feed wire to the distributor which originally is probably a resistor wire. However if your 283 had already been converted to HEI then you've probably already taken care of that.

Others may point out items that I've forgotten but those are the items I scrambled around looking for after my engine arrived.

[PGSigns]

What crate 350? Depending on the one you got you may need a flywheel or flex plate. Also depending on the ballancer and pulley setup on the 283 you may need to ad those to the list.
Jimmy

[Vincenthdfan]

I bought a new dampener and I'm going to reuse the flywheel because I sticking with the T-5 that's already in the truck.

Mainly wondering about instrumentation, charging system, etc...

The things involved in modernizing a bit I guess is what I'm trying to say.

[jtrichard]

The point he was trying to make on the flywheel is IF your new engine is a ONE piece rear main seal then your 283 flywheel wont work ..... to add if your new water pump is long and your old was short then you need new pulleys,brackets ECT.

[Vincenthdfan]

Gotcha...yeah, it's a two piece from what I've read anyway.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Just use the sending units from the old engine. The oil is a tube & the fitting will fit in the replacement engine. I take it you are getting the basic 260-290 HP Goodwrench engine. The temp sender from the old engine will not fit in the holes on the new engine. Most intakes have 1/2 in pipe thread holes for it. Do not use a later model, 3/8 pipe thread about 78 up sender as it is not electrically compatable with the gauge. You can put your alt. on the new engine. Use your present ex. manifolds also.

[markeb01]

Make sure you DO NOT wrap Teflon tape around the sending unit threads. This will insulate the circuit from ground and the gauge will provide erratic readings if it works at all. If you absolutely have to use some type of sealer, a tiny amount of something from a tube will usually fix the leak and still allow a good ground.

Also what type carburetor are you going to run? Edelbrock carbs don't like manifold heat. If you're going that way, now would be a good time to add an isolator plate under the carb.

[Vincenthdfan]

Wow, that Teflon tape fiasco is definitely a path I would have gone down, I can almost guarantee it! You probably just saved me some serious frustration, lol.

Yes, the motor is the 260 horse crate engine, Jegs had it listed on eBay for $1340 the other day so I pulled the trigger on it.

I'm using an Edelbrock 1405 carb, pressure regulated and definitely intend to put the insulator spacer on it (thanks for the reminder). I'll be using an Edelbrock intake as well.

Regarding reusing my ram horn exhaust manifolds....would it be worth replacing them with the oversized 2 1/2" aftermarket ramhorns or do the stock ones flow well enough?

[markeb01]

I'm running the stock ram manifolds on mine stepped up to 2 1/4" pipes and they seem to work fine. I have the same 260HP crate motor with the addition of a Comp Cams HE 268H cam & kit. The cost added up to about the same as the 290HP engine, but with the cam and stuff I preferred.

I don't think bigger exhaust is really needed unless you're going to want a lot more out of the engine.