350 engine, how do I identify all the holes in my engine block and what they are for?

[59apachess]

I have a GM 350 RamJet crate engine that I am told by GM is the same engine block used in many late C/K trucks. Well, I have tried to find a manual that covers the detail on this engine, but no luck. What I need is to identify what each hole is on this engine. For example on the left center of the block (passenger side), just below where the head is where my knock sensor is located. Does this hole go through to anything, the exhaust chamber, oil, etc. I have a hole on the opposite side of the engine with a plug in it, where I would like to put the oil pressure sensor for my gauge. The stock location for the oil pressure sesor is very close to the header and I am concerned that the sensor will get damaged or give false oil pressure readings. It would be nice to be able to identify all the other holes onteh engine as well. I have never started the engine yet, still getting things together since I did a frame-off restoration/modification of the 1958 Chevy Apache pick-up I have this engine in. I have contacted GM performance parts and their dealers and they are unable to teell me what manual would be the best refferrence for this engine block. thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out with this!!

[JWhite8055]

The good news is that you can put the pressure sensor where you want to - in the hole by the oil filter, or you could put in in the hole (also with a plug) up by the distributor.

The hole on the passenger side is for the dip-stick tube. (a strap holds the tube to an exaust manifold stud) I don't really know of a good reference for the holes though.

[pind]

probably the best reference for the holes in the block, is to find someone with a 350 in their truck, and snap some digital pics of it, to use for your own future reference. I have done this a couple times in the past when upgrading engines in older trucks, although more to do with the wiring harnesses and how they lay out on the engine and so on.

Enjoy the buildup

[59apachess]

Thank you for your input. I had previously talked with one of the tech support people at Scoggin Dicky's Part Center, they sell the GM performance parts there. He also told me about the port near the distributor, but I can't find a hole/port there.
The concern I have about the hole/port near the oil filter is that the sensor actually touches the header. I guess I could add a pipe extension to get the sensor away from the headers, but will excess heat effect the oil pressure readings from the sensor?

I do have a dip stick installed on the engine. The hole I was asking about is much higher on the block, center from front to back, just under the edge of the head. on the opposite side of the engine from this hole, the knock sensor is installed. Any idea if theses are just threaded holes that don't reach the oil or the exhaust?

Again, I very much appreciate your help on this. It's starting to look more and more like I need to use the hole near the oil filter, but try to get the sensor extended away from the headers.

Thanks.

[JWhite8055]

if the hole is below the head, it doesn't go through to the exaust so its either a passage to the crankcase oil or a coolant passageway.

fill the engine with oil and use a thin wire or the dipstick to see if you can reach the oil.

I honestly cant remember changing or fixing anything in that area of those blocks (and i've worked on a quite a few) so its likely a hole that gets a plug.

As for the pressure gauge, its up to you, i'd try to keep a few inches away from the headers though

[old dawg]

I would think you need to worry more about the heat affecting the sensor rather than the pressure readings. Can't you put in a 90 deg. fitting (street elbow) right at the block to direct the sensor away from the header?