85 C20 Crewcab Longbed

Mark · January 24, 2001

I think I may have made a wrong turn here, you guys all seem to have such nice trucks and mine ... well its a work truck. Gotta love it though, its like a family car and a truck all in one. I love it so much I bought a high $$$ 350 to replace the 305 that someone else had put in it to replace the 350 that came in it. Confusing? try replacing a car motor w/ 2 smog pumps & a million vacuum lines with a hot rod 350. I know my truck came w/ 350, 1 smog pump, dual exhaust & no cat. But I'm having a hard time visualizing what it has to look like for emmisions sake. My question, does anyone have any ideas of where I can find a pic under the hood of a stock 85 truck w/ 350? I even looked into buying an older truck to get out from under some of this but I love that great big 4 door monster. Once again any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark

Frank S · January 24, 2001

If you can find someone who has the GM microfiche listings for that generation,it will show you what you need to know in detail.If you can't find an individual who has it try a dealership or a library.

HiG4s · January 25, 2001

Boy that's a though one. I have a converted 86 trans am. but I live in an area that doesn't have emissions tests. I just kept the cat and converted everything else to pre-emmisions junk days.

I would go to www.camaroz28.com and post in the Third-gen section about 305 to 350 swaps.

Kansas Kid · January 25, 2001

It would surely make things easier if you didn't have to worry about emissions. I had a 83 Buick Regal that was just covered in vacumn lines and other junk. I could handle a motor swap in my truck as the motor compartment is pretty clean, but couldn't imagine doing your project.

Could you find a similar truck and get a good look at it. I'm sure someone would be friendly enough to allow you to do that.

Mark · January 25, 2001

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'm going to have to take the easy way out and do the swap as best I can and drag the hulk (and extra parts) down to the mechanic and let him and the emmisions specialist hash it out. Maybe I will be able to work on it myself when they lose the crap it don't need. I'll just have to wait till next month for those Thornley Headers.

Here's a ?? for you guys. Keep in mind my truck has been sitting out in the elements for a couple years. I was going to take the gas tank off and get it cleaned out so I wouldn't be trying to run any crap through my new engine but I'm running out of time and enthusiasm for this project. Do you think it would be good enough to throw some high grade gas and some Heat or something else to get rid of any condensation in the tank. I almost ran it completely empty when I parked it and it has a locking gascap so I know nothing got in that way, as a matter of fact I will have to find my keys if I want to put gas in her. Is there a better product than heat?

By the way I'm getting pics of the whole train wreck ( I mean rebirth ) developed on cd so maybe I can post some when the time comes. Thanks again, Mark

doverarjim · January 26, 2001

Mark, if you had been here 6 months ago I still had my 86 GMC with the 350, but the only problem with it would have been it had CA emmisons(sp) on it. It took Reg. gas and had 2 yes count them TWO smog pumps on it, and I bought it brand new from a dealer in AR. We don't have testing here so I took the pumps off of it after 12,000 miles, the exhaust manifolds were like imation headers each runner was about 3 to 4 inches long. I looked around for other manifolds and could not find anything else like them. My ideas on it is if you can get it to run without any smog stuff you'll be better off.

January 27, 2001

I agree with doverarjim. if you can get away without the smog crap, do it. Just get your rig running healthy and all that smog stuff doesn't do much anyway.

Also, I've had Doug Thorley headers (I think that's what you were referring to earlier), and had bad juju with them. They leaked, I was constantly trying to get them to fit the heads right by trying different gaskets, alternating my tightening sequence, leak tech and mud, you name it. I bought some Hookers and had no problems whatsoever. Hopefully I just saved you some $$$ and heartache.

Mark · January 27, 2001

Well I got the engine and tranny installed yesterday, almost complete. A few remaining parts that wouldn't make the install. Several new parts I had to buy since the ones on the engine wouldn't fit my truck. Went ahead and put both smog pumps on it so I wouldn't have to have my mechanic do it to get emmissions, figure I can just take the belt off the pumps after the fact.

Friz I thought that 3/8" flange on the Thorley's guaranteed no warping or leaking, I will definately have to check into that. I put my stock "mock" headers on for now because they bolt right on and I may not be done replacing parts yet to get running.

Sometimes I wish I had started with a crate motor, all the spare parts I've got into this one is really getting up there. That's why I bought this motor, cause it had all the parts. I had to replace the cam with one less suited for drag racing and more suited for driving ? maybe towing. That hurt. But this way I got a block with 4 bolt mains completely machined, some killer heads, and nice intake and carb. Was it worth it? I hope so.

Got some pics being developed on CD, What's the best way or place to put them on the internet? Thanks for the feedback. Mark

Gotta Love Them 4-Doors

TheScaryGuy · January 30, 2001

A smog what? A catty who! ? LOL

Goodness I love MI heh heh heh heh

January 31, 2001

Ya know what? It is a proven fact in the law of mechanics that if you disassemble and rebuild your motor, truck, dirt bike, or whatever enough times, you will be left with enough spare parts to completely build an identical twin.