Engine change update and TH350 question

[rich weyand]

Hi All:

Well, all the parts are on the way. I decided to get the GM Performance Parts 12499529 engine. 290 hp and 326 lb.ft., and only $500 more than the stock engine. I am putting the Edelbrock Air Gap intake manifold on it with the Edelbrock 1406 carb I have and the existing Hooker headers. That setup ought to give more like 300 hp and 340 lb.ft., with 300 lb.ft. of torque from 1500 rpm all the way to the redline. That's not so much a torque curve as a torque line!

Now, while the engine is out, it's easy to replace the torque converter and the front trans seal on the TH350. The question is, How easy is it to replace the pump bushing? The TH350 sites note that the front pump bushing wears harder than all the others in the tranny, so I figure this is a good time to replace it if it's easy, but I just don't know how hard it is. I can imagine it either way, as really easy or really tough without total disassembly of the tranny, which is not on this year's schedule. Anyone know?

Thanks in advance!

Rich

[fenix420]

just an fyi...for a few hundred more, you can get this....

http://www.superchevyperformance.com/19244450_350_290HP_Deluxe_Crate_Engine_p/19244450.htm

...plus...free shipping....

[rich weyand]

fenix420
Re: Engine change update and TH350 question

just an fyi...for a few hundred more, you can get this....

http://www.superchevyperformance.com...p/19244450.htm

...plus...free shipping....

Free shipping if you go get it; the shipping is more than JEGS if you want door-to-door. Also, this is the exact same engine as I am getting, except it includes Holley carb (I have a new Edelbrock 1406 on the existing motor), intake manifold (I prefer the air-gap intake that separates the runners and carb from the lifter box cover for cooler charge, resulting in about 10 more hp and 15 more lbft), chrome valve covers, breather, and hold-downs (all of which I have on the existing engine), chrome timing chain cover (don't care), HEI distributor (which is new on the existing engine), chrome air cleaner halves (which are new on the existing engine), etc.

BTW, found out the answer to my own question about the pump bushing on the TH350. Changing it involves removing the pump and splitting the pump halves. As the tranny is working fine, we aren't going to mess with it other than a new front seal.

Also, my coolant usage, intermittent miss, and white smoke off idle sound to my old GM mechanic buddy like a cracked head on the current engine. This was apparently a problem on the carbureted 350s, since fixed.

Rich

[fenix420]

no biggie...just thought i'd put it out there.

[rich weyand]

Appreciate it. If I didn't have all the other parts already, that might save some bucks.

The engine and the other parts show up at the mechanic's tomorrow. I'm so psyched I can't sit still.

Rich

[GreaseDog]

Also, this is the exact same engine as I am getting, except it includes Holley carb (I have a new Edelbrock 1406 on the existing motor), intake manifold (I prefer the air-gap intake that separates the runners and carb from the lifter box cover for cooler charge, resulting in about 10 more hp and 15 more lbft), chrome valve covers, breather, and hold-downs (all of which I have on the existing engine), chrome timing chain cover (don't care), HEI distributor (which is new on the existing engine), chrome air cleaner halves (which are new on the existing engine), etc.
Includes intake manifold and chrome dress-up kit.

DOES NOT include carburetor. GMPP recommends Holley 670-cfm carb P/N 19170092.

it doesn't include the carb, they just recomend one.

Also, my coolant usage, intermittent miss, and white smoke off idle sound to my old GM mechanic buddy like a cracked head on the current engine. This was apparently a problem on the carbureted 350s, since fixed.

Richactually a problem that started in the 70s when they started with lighter castings, earlier small block head castings were heavier, and less prone to cracking.