1996 to 1998 305 vortec sensor ?

1968 Pontiac · 08-12-2008, 06:26 PM

The 305 vortec in my 98 C1500 has a cracked head due to the previous owner driving the vehicle while low on coolant. I bought a used replacement engine, but it is a 96 305 vortec. The person that removed the 96 engine took everything including the complete wiring harness, computer, brake controller (or whatever it's called), power centre, etc. The only mistake he made was cutting a few wires which I believe went to the transmission. He took all this because he was going to install it into a 95 C1500 with a 6 banger. In the mean time he sold his house, so doesn't have time for the project so I bought the engine from him.

Anyway, that's the background. My question is, are the engine sensors the same from 96 to 98. I ask this because I noticed the main computers have a different part number and the 96 has an extra plug which plugs between the top two plugs on the computer. I would prefer to leave my harness in tact and just connect everything after installing the engine rather then removing one harness, then installing the other harness. Thanks.

1993Suburban · 08-12-2008, 10:39 PM

Yeah if I were you I wouldn't switch the harnesses, just drop the engine in and connect it to the harness that was already in your truck. That way you are sure the harness is completely intact. So you are replacing a 1998 305 with a 1996 305? It should be the same as far as sensors go and I know as far as the engine goes, it is physically exactly the same. I'm not sure of any specific sensor changes, I don't think there are any, but someone please correct me if I am wrong. I would also try and keep as many of the sensors from your old engine as possible, to ensure that you are mostly hooking up the 1998 harness to 1998 sensors. If it's going to be a pain to switch sensors I wouldn't worry about it because they should be the same, but you know all the emissions stuff that is strewn across the top of the engine. You say it's a C1500? 2 wheel drive then? Did the engine come from a 2 wheel drive truck also? Because the 2 wheel drive trucks have a different oil filter mount / oil cooler adapter thing (sorry don't know the exact terminology) from the 4 wheel drive trucks.

1968 Pontiac · 08-13-2008, 09:25 PM

Thanks. Yeah i was thinking about changing the sensors around. Both engines are from 2wd trucks. On my 92 K2500 the oil filter is horizontal, so I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem to use a 4wd engine in a 2wd truck, it's the other way around that would be a problem because the filter would hit the front drive shaft. But I'm also sure you can change the filter mounts around as I've removed quite a number of these from engines with oil coolers from 1990-93 SB chev police cars. After removing the oil filter you just need to use an allen key to remove two screws that bolt the oil filter adapter to the block.

1993Suburban · 08-14-2008, 01:29 AM

Yeah the oil filter adapter unbolts and you can switch it easily if needed but since they are both 2 wheel drive it doesn't matter. Good luck on your engine replacement project.

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