I have a few questions about rebuilding a L-98 350 (does anyone have one for sale?)

[Corvette85]

For starters I know nothing about engines, and was hoping for this rebuild to be a learning experience. I have an 85 Corvette, and I was hoping to rebuild an L-98 in case mine takes a dive, plus I want to learn to do this anyway.

Can you use any 350 block, or do you have to have one specifically for the L-98?

Does anyone have a 350 block in the DFW, Texas area for sale?

What is an estimated cost for rebuild?

Thanks. Zak

[Blue Bowtie]

You can start with any viable 350, 4-bolt block. You're more likely to find those in trucks. The only distinguishing feature of the Y-Body L-98 is the aluminum heads. Those are going to be the most difficult to find for an authentic rebuild.

However, the 1985-86 Corvette L-98 would not be my first choice as a starting point for various reasons:

• While the factory aluminum heads are a slight improvement over their iron siblings, the aftermarket has far superior heads available for reasonable prices.
• With the reformulation of engine oils and subsequent removal of EP antifriction additives, I would no longer consider building any replacement engine without a roller cam and lifters. Because of that, and the fact that the GM factory design roller lifter system is not only adequate for higher lift and RPM operation, but is the most cost effective system, it may be better to begin with a 1987 or later 350 block already incorporating a roller lifter system.
• While the Y-Car and many truck SBCs were equipped with 4-bolt main bearing caps, they were straight outer bolts. For the greatest strength of the lower case, begin with a 2-bolt main case and machine it for 4-bolt main caps with splayed outer bolts.

Everything else is equal. A good pair of aluminum heads, improved dual pattern cam, and stout rotating assembly in a prepared 2-bolt block might cut into your wallet for almost $2000 with all the necessary parts. That will depend upon how much machining, preparation, and assembly you perform and how much is farmed out. By comparison, a prepared short block can be had for around the same price: http://www.sdparts.com/product/12561...eAssembly.aspx

[88camaroproject]

im pretty positive an 85 vette has iron heads. and considering theres one in my driveway that i have been working on they are iron. and pretty much any small block chevy will bolt in there. im currently building a 406 sbc that i want to find a vette to put it in. so if you find any sbc (350 or bigger preferably) you can build it and bolt the tpi setup on it. i would suggest reusing the current heads or get some that have the same bolt holes as the tpi setup. you could take the heads to a machine shop and get them ported and some bigger valves put in and maybe shave them for a little more compression. and for starters you need to check all the bearing clearances on the mains and rods and what not. theres alot of stuff that goes into building a motor. so you will need some measuring tools (not a measuring tape...) to get it done right.

edit: oh and if you do this, you will need to get the computer tuned for the new motor, enless you leave it all original, but i beleive the 85 vete has a funky computer that is hard to tune, but very possible.

[Blue Bowtie]

Correct. The '85 is a "bastard" model ECM which was barely capable of managing the engine, requierd a separate module just to manage the MAF, and is not as friendly to the reprogrammer. If you're going to the trouble of swapping engines, a later ECM might also be a good upgrade. Most of the necessary wiring is present, and some repinning would be necessary.

There's a pretty good outline of what's involved here:

http://www.ece.udel.edu/~davis/z28/

[Schrade]

I did an 87 L98 intake workover (not the heads). It was not a picnic.

There's two intake runner bolts that are an extreme challenge.

The cold start injector was a bear gettin' back in to place. And it didn't take long to realize it wasn't seated when I turned the key

If you do, I suggest doing two re-assembly dry fits with the cleaned parts.

The TPI has a problem with intake leaks. When I did the final re-assembly, I put a grease film on all gaskets.

Do the suggested re-torque checks, following re-assembly.