Stock Accessories compatible with Vortec Heads?

[weim55]

You don’t specify specifically what accessory drive arrangement you are using so here’s a general summary of what to look for:

If if any of your brackets incorporate exhaust manifold mounting you will likely need to modify the brackets slightly to fit. The exhaust ports are slightly higher ( 1/8 to 1/4 inch (?)) so bracket mounting holes will be off a little bit. As one of the other guys said, AC brackets that go up to the intake manifold Will need to be completely fabricated for the Vortec mounting bolt arrangement. I’ve done a few of the swaps myself but only with power steering and alternator, no AC. The modifications to brackets were very simple and not difficult to execute. If your truck uses factory AC mounts I have a feeling that could turn into a real nightmare as I believe the factory brackets use both the intake and exhaust manifolds (?)

The bolt spacing on the front face of the cylinder heads are the same for all years, no difference for the Vortecs.

You have to use a Vortec specific rocker arm, the old-style ones will not work on the newer heads.

If you have some sort of a temperature sender that screws into the side of the cylinder head the old style is standard thread, the Vortech is metric. There are adapters in the aftermarket to make this work.

Center bolt valve covers required, obviously.

I can’t for the life of me remember if some of the cylinder head to block bolts are different lengths (?) from the old style heads(?)

Steve weim55 Colorado