L31 timing cover and oil pan questions

[creper]

Quick info on my build and swap. I have a '94 silverado with a 305 TBI in it at the moment. I picked up a long block from a '99 suburban it is a 350 but the 906 heads were shot boo :.(

got home and tore it down last night and I guess I am one of the lucky ones because there is the extra holes for the timing cover but I don't know what years I can use on it. I held my old timing cover off of my '89 350 TBI (long gone, block had a crack) and It lines right up on the holes but docent seem to be as long as the original plastic p.o.s. from the vortec. Am I going to need to buy an oil pan for a 95 and lower? I just don't want oil leaks ya know lol. I also read some wear about starter bolts or something? All I am going to do is make a stock TBI 350 with vortec heads. Witch brings up another question. The 096 is the better casting for vortec heads right? If not what is the better casting with the 3 angle valve job on it?

If any one has any experience or knowledge in doing this to a vortec block PLEASE help me out with these issues.

[woody80z28]

I've never heard of an 096 Vortec head. I only know 906 and 062. I've heard the 062s are slightly better, but if you have 906s it's not worth the hassle of finding 062s.

[creper]

Oops had the number for the heads wrong. Fixed now! The heads are screwed so I have to find new ones....

[GreaseDog]

the oil pan that is on it will work just fine. just install an 86-96 timing cover, and a timing chain and gears from a roller cam car. (1992 Camaro TPI)

[creper]

So i need to buy an oil pan for what the motor came from but the t-cover for 95 and lower correct?

[GreaseDog]

the Suburban 5.7 and your current 305 share the same oil pan. either of them will work.

yes, the timing cover is a pre-95 piece.

[creper]

Awsome. Now I am going to have to worrie about pistons. Do I need to buy for the 99 or can I just buy any rebuild kit? Is there any thing special about that block or it the only thing thats special the heads on it. Im hopping to buy the pistons for a 95 350 tbi. Like I said Im amming for a "stock" short block with vortec heads and TBI intake and stock tb with mods done to it. I have all my programming stuff form moates but I am not sure what all I am going to need to modify in tuner pro to get the comp right! I wonder if anyone has a BJLH bin already modified that they wouldnt mind shareing?

[BlacK20]

I've never heard of an 096 Vortec head. I only know 906 and 062. I've heard the 062s are slightly better, but if you have 906s it's not worth the hassle of finding 062s.

Sigh, 906 AND 062 ARE IDENTICAL, that rumor was started by a magazine not doing thier homework back in the day.

[vic_V8]

if you reuse your timing cover from the 305...DO NOT USE THE TIMING POINTER

[creper]

if you reuse your timing cover from the 305...DO NOT USE THE TIMING POINTER

I am looking at one from gmperformanceparts.com or this one http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CMB-08-0019/

[woody80z28]

Sigh, 906 AND 062 ARE IDENTICAL, that rumor was started by a magazine not doing thier homework back in the day.

Almost identical, not identical.

Here's a great reference for Vortecs:
http://nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56505

[GreaseDog]

if you reuse your timing cover from the 305...DO NOT USE THE TIMING POINTER

or use the balancer from it as well... they're both neutral balanced.

[randeez]

iirc the 880 block has a few extra holes,not threaded, for the timing cover (because the vortec plastic has a few alignment pins) but all of the tbi cover bolts will go in.

and if you're using the tbi waterpump you need to make sure the block is drilled all the way through for the lower left hole behind the pump

[GreaseDog]

no modifications needed to run the TBI water pump... mine works just fine.

[BlacK20]

Almost identical, not identical.

Here's a great reference for Vortecs:
http://nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56505

well, Yes, but ive seen 906's without the different seat, its hit and miss, most with the Inconel Seat was used on 3/4ton + trucks

[dave89iroc]

no modifications needed to run the TBI water pump... mine works just fine.

the vortec blocks were not drilled for the coolant bypass passage

will it work? as long as you have the heater hoses hooked up, and your application dosen't have a water control valve in the heater hoses, it likely will

but, I drill the passage on all the vortec blocks to pre vortec sawps I do