A couple of questions about post-86 SBC's...

Hey guys, lately there have been more and more of the one piece rear main motors coming in to the s**** yard. I've just been s****ping them, but then I thought "What the hell, a SBC's an SBC, right?".

I got poking around a couple of them, and it looks like the General's castings have come a long way since the 60's & 70's... These blocks look really nice!


So here are some questions that I have:

Are there any differences in parts (strength, porosity, etc) made in the US vs Canada?

What year did they start using "Vortec" heads, and how do I identify them?

What year did they start using PM rods?

Are there any features that make one late(r) model SBC MORE desireable than the others?


Thanks in advance guys!

Steve

 

I've heard the truck castings are better, vortec heads showed up late 95/early 96, some had forged cranks, 96-98 truck 305s were roller cam, head cc changed alot, aluminum, fast burn style, oy vei theres alot of differences!

 

There are a few good reasons to use the later model engines, but first and foremost, is they don't leak oil as bad. With the one piece seal and the newer heads, oil leaks almost completely went away.

The center bolt valve cover heads have a raised valve cover seating area. The gasket is well above the oil level, unlike the earlier perimeter bolt engines were.

True Vortec heads began in 1996. The 87-95 model heads used center bolt heads, but the intake manifold bolt arrangement was slightly different than earlier engines. The two center most intake bolts on each side are at a more vertical angle than the rest. Earlier intakes can be used, if you enlongate these 4 holes slightly.

Vortec heads used a completely different intake arangement, with all the bolts being completely vertical.

 

All p***enger car V8's from '86 up were roller cam equipped. Truck blocks are 4-bolt. Some big trucks (2500 and 3500 series) SBC are roller cam but not all of 'em.

 

Truck engines have to meet tougher requirements than cars - in every aspect - starting with the initial design.

 

Anybody else have anything to add???

 

starting in 88 a new innitiative to improve the SBC started with the use of hypeurtetic pistons and a closer piston to wall clearance- in effect a late model with 130K on it is still "tighter" than a BRAND NEW 66 CHEVY 283 THAT WAS BUILT AT THE FACTORY!
Also most were made for F.I. so a mechanical fuel pump was not an option.

 

SO TRUE........

I had a new 88 3500 picup with a 350.....188,000 miles when I sold it go....dry...no leaks..

I had a new 90 1500 Silverado with a 350...160,000 plus miles....then sold it....no leaks

I bought a new 96 1500 Silverado Vortec 350.....157,000 miles...then sold it.....no leaks

Have a new Silverado now with 40,000 miles....dry.....

I have the newer 1 pc 87 up 350 blocks in both my 32's....I am a believer..