85 V8

[tiltthe63s]

I just bought me a 2.8liter v6 extened cab s-10 pickup the motor is shot, im putting a beefy v8 in it any tech tips will help, p.s. the motor is a 350 vortec heads and intake 10.2-1 compresion 500 lift cam 650 double pumper spread bore holley carb and im buying out of jegs the exhaust headers and engine mounts, and a turbo 350 trans

[eightcylS10]

i just put a v8 in mine, be prepared for quite a few modifications as far as mounts go like engine mounts and tranny mounts. or you can by the kit that gives you everything for 500 bucks. if u go headers u will have problems with the headers hitting the steering column, i went with manifolds and mine is about 1/8 of an inch from the steering column. if u go manifolds get them off of a 80's camaro.

[tiltthe63s]

well i have alot of machining in my background so i dont think that the tranny mounts will be hard but i want to be safe with the motor mounts and thank for the tip on the camaro manifold

[dugie6551]

I put a 350 in my 87 S10 and did it without a kit.
Some tips/advice:
1. Use a short shaft waterpump. This will allow you to not have to cut the rad saddle.
2. Assemble the motor with all the accessories on (waterpump, starter, exhaust manifolds) before you drop the motor in. Then position the motor to allow the best access to everything. This will reduce the amount of banging and cutting you need to do. I "hard mounted" my motor using U shaped engine mounts that I picked up at a local speed shop ( I think they were racing mounts ). Then I made frame mounts using 2"x2" square tubing and welded them to the frame, after I positioned the motor where I wanted it.
3. Transmission crossmember: I again fabricated my own tranmission crossmember using 2"x2" steel tubing and drilled ne holes in the frame to mount it.
4. You will need to get a new shorten driveshaft. Get a new yoke that matches your trans, take the yoke that connects to the rearend, and get a one piece driveshaft from a full-size 4x4. Then have a machine shop "build" you a new drivehshaft with all the existing pieces.
5. I use electric fans, mounted in front of the rad, instead of a mechanical one because space is tight. Get a bigger rad from a full size truck. (3 core min.)
6. Make sure you torque every bolt on the motor mounts, trans mount and transmission bellhousing. And check them every couple of months. I did not check mine and when I pulled the motor, I was missing (3) bolts in the trans bellhousing and (1) bolt each on the motor mount bracket, and there were several loose.
7. Last but not least ..... GAS MONEY !!!!!!

Have fun.

[tiltthe63s]

now that im almost done i was wondering what to do about the power steering pump use stock or get one of a 350 i havent checked to see if the brackets will work or not

[dugie6551]

The power steering pump on the 2.8L and the 350 are the same. It should bolt right up, if you have the proper brackets.

[tiltthe63s]

hey i just picked up a 350 with a turbo 350 trans for 350 and working

[tiltthe63s]

what about drive lines does any one know of a good bolt up posi rear end from any othe gm automobiles i heard that drive lines will work but the i also heard that the astro van van has a posi does any one know about these too things