Engine swap starting 11/1

by patriot_5420 Tue Oct 22, 2013 7:25 pm

Hey guys sorry I've been scare. Been prepping for this swap and staying busy. Going to be gutting the tired old stock 73 350 in the el Kay for a 93 truck engine, 350 2 bolt mains fresh rebuild. Keeping it carbed, already got the intake stuck on the engine. Swapped it to electric fuel pump. Throwing headers (hooker comps) and a low pro oil pan on while we are at it.

We've got 4 full days and 2 experienced mechs doing it so not forseeing any issues. Not really looking for any specific advice but open to any suggestions or nuances to be aware of. Also if anyone has any questions about anything while we have it gutted, post up and I'll try to help the group knowledge as much as possible.

by JB2wheeler Tue Oct 22, 2013 7:50 pm

Sounds good. It's nice to see another Elkie freshened up. JB

by pila Tue Oct 22, 2013 8:46 pm

Sounds good. My first Elco was a '73, which I bought used in '75, in Texas, after I flew an airplane down there.
That engine should do real well in there.

by bracketchev1221 Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:31 pm

I'm not sure if that engine has a mount for a fuel pump, but the 2 biggest things I can suggest is #1) prime the oil pump before putting it in the car. Nothing worse than getting it in the car and trying to start it to see no oil pressure. #2)For an engine that had a mechanical fuel pump, leaving the bolt out of the front of the engine that goes through to the fuel pump pushrod hole. It makes for a good leak if you leave it out.

by patriot_5420 Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:38 pm

Well the 93 block has no provisions for the mechanical fuel pump, hence the swap to the electric pump beforehand. And yeah, oil prime is definitely on the checklist. Lol. Good call sir.

by bracketchev1221 Tue Oct 22, 2013 11:38 pm

Do you have the correct flexplate? For a 1 piece rear main seal engine?

by patriot_5420 Wed Oct 23, 2013 12:20 am

Hmmm... I think it came with the engine but now that you mention it, I don't think we have ensured we have the right starter. I'll need to check that out. Anyone know if we have the 153 tooth plate or the 168 tooth plate on the 73 350?

by bracketchev1221 Wed Oct 23, 2013 1:25 am

350 should be 168.

by patriot_5420 Wed Oct 23, 2013 1:29 am

Cool. Will have to check the block, hopefully its drilled for either starter.

by patriot_5420 Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:16 pm

The 93 engine I have has the 168 tooth flexplate installed as well so so the starter is a direct swap part as well.

by patriot_5420 Thu Oct 31, 2013 7:49 pm

Headed down to get started tonight. Will post up some in process pics thru the weekend.

by patriot_5420 Sat Nov 02, 2013 2:29 am

day one, old engine is stripped with just the bellhousing bolts left to pull.

New engine is mostly assembled, awaiting final valve lash check then install. In addition to upgrading to a 93 engine its going in with an edelbrock performer rpm intake and a set of hooker headers.

And as you can see, rather than dump a bunch of money on chrome dress up brackets and stuff I just rattle canned some of the stock parts to make it look a little nicer.

Hopefully we'll have it all in tomorrow and start tuning.

by driveit Sat Nov 02, 2013 7:28 am

Sounds awesome. Hope everything goes well for you. I would like to do a similar swap, but maybe try to keep the fuel injection/throttle body in an attempt to gain a few mpg.

by patriot_5420 Wed Nov 06, 2013 8:30 pm

Well got it swapped, started and timed just to find it leaking around the rear main. Ripping it back apart sat to see if we can get it sorted.

by 77mali Wed Nov 06, 2013 9:31 pm

Do you have a 1 pc or 2 pc rear main? Check the cam freeze plug too, sometimes they screw up & it's offset a little.

by patriot_5420 Thu Nov 07, 2013 11:05 am

1 pc. Main. Have to pull the trans and flexplate to get there

by 77mali Thu Nov 07, 2013 4:17 pm

Than sux.

Did you check the pan too? Didn't forget the Hi temp silicone where the pan meets the bottom of the one piece seal? Did you use the funny looking gasket between the seal & the back of the block also?

by patriot_5420 Thu Nov 07, 2013 10:35 pm

Not sure how the seal was installed intially since I bought the engine freshly rebuilt. However, as far as the oil pan, I'm certain it was installed correctly. Brand new pan using on of the thick silicon one piece gaskets.

Chances are its a loose galley plug and not the main. If it is the main, the gent who rebuilt is definitely not living up to his rep.

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