2.8 engine help

[Jcrane88]

well i got my 2.8 M.F.I engine today and i need to know a few things
I dont know the year of the engine

1. I found the engine id number. how and where do i decode the numbers?

2.The engine came with a alternater. will it work on my 1984 electric system?

3.Will the Power sterring pump work ( i think so)?

4.Will the AC Compressor work?

5.Anything else i should know about putting a newer engine on my 1984 camaro?

EDIT: The new engine has one belt going around everything....how can i mount my smog pump on?

Thanks
John

[ct91rs]

John, as I'm sure your finding out, there isn't a huge amount of info out there on the 2.8L. What casting numbers do you have?

[89IROC&RS]

1. to decode the numbers, you can post them here and see if someone can help, you can also contact the chevy parts counter for help, however im confused about what information exactly you are looking to find that you dont already know.

2. the compatability of the alternator should not be a problem.

3. power steering pump should also work just fine.

4. Only concern with the AC pump is what refridgerantit was running before it was removed. Your car, unless it has been modified is running R12 which is not compatable with an R134 system. So you need to look into that.

5. regarding putting a newer engine into a older car you need to check your local laws regarding such swaps. I know here in virginia you must meet the emissions requirements of whichever is newer. Put an old engine in a new car, it needs to pass the standards of the new car, put a new engine in an old car, and it has to pass the standards of the new engine. So you will need to find out the year of the engine.

Regarding the smog pump, are you sure the newer engine dosnt have one? perhaps an electronicly powered air pump? the single belt you are talking about is a serpentine belt setup which is a far better design than the old V belts. Im not to familiar with the emissions equipment on the 2.8L engines, so thats something you should probly look into.

Otherwise you may just want to junk all the newer accessories and install your old accessories onto the base engine and put it back in that way.

[Jcrane88]

a090522aak (i think)...........I planned on putting my old carberatur and intake monifold, and exhaust manifold's on.......i was going to try to keep the belt set-up. and put the smog pump on............and we dont have emissions testing

[89IROC&RS]

well that simplifies things, what with the lack of emissons testing. In that case, i agree with the plan of putting your old intake and exaust on it, and using the new accessory drive setup, if you dont have emissions, then dont worry about busting your balls to get the smog pump on there, (although i high five your intent to maintain all the emissions equipment, not many people go through the trouble.)

[Jcrane88]

so all i have to do is swap the intake manifold,exhaust manifold, carberater and distributor ( maybe?) and then everything else should bolt in right?
......iv'e still got all the peices off my old 2.8.....I want to be emissions legal , I'll look at the smog pump and see if there is a way to bolt it on and keep all the serpentine belt set up. if not i guess it will be ok..............i'd still like to know the engine id info......Please??

Thanks,
John

[Jcrane88]

i did some looking and found some more problems
if i use my old fan ( i dont have the fan for this engine) on this serpentine belt setup it would push the air out instead of sucking it in ( assuming the crankshaft runs clockwise looking at it from the front)
...i did some looking and still couldnt find how to decode my block casting numbers.................the year is what i need , the guy i bought it from said it came from a early 90's firebird. but i am almost positive it didnt..........THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT SO I CAN CLEAR OUT ALL MY PARTS LYING ON MY DAD'S GARAGE FLOOR.........ALSO I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO ORDER PARTS FOR......

This camaro has been a pain in the butt since I first saw the thing.......im gonna go buy a honda.........

[89IROC&RS]

well, ill tell ya right now, start complaining about camaros and talking about buying a honda, and offers for help around here will dry up real fast, so id keep that to a minimum. keep in mind that there are always lemons out there, no matter what you buy.

Regarding the swap and such, im not very knowledgeable about 2.8L engines, but i dont think the hardware of the block was changed over the years. you could probly use the shortblock of the new engine and all the intake, exhaust, and other components from your old setup, and its probly easiest to do it that way. If you switch over to the serpentine setup, you can install an aftermarket electric fan to pull air through the radiator. these usually include a shroud for maximum cooling.

[Jcrane88]

i knew what i was getting when i bought it.......i rebuilt the top end last year when it was my brothers.........I absolutely love camaro's, when their running...the only reason i even put up with the thing is i was with my brother when we drove it home ( without problems) and i had a blast ..........thats the only reason i put up with it, everything on it is hard to work on...........i aint gonna buy a honda........i aint got the money, unless it's a motorcycle( and i still dont have the money)
My apologies on complaining......
anyway's i guess the options are buying a fan for that engine ( assuming i find the year) or put all my stuff on the front ( i'd have to get a water pump gasket).........looking at the front of the engine the crank goes clockwise right??..

Thanks
John

[89IROC&RS]

lol, no need to apologize to me for complaining, beleive me we have plenty of bleeding vaginas around here to do their fair share, i was just givin ya a heads up regarding the mentality around here.

as far as what direction that engine turns, i couldnt tell ya.

[Jcrane88]

i was reading your last post 89...... and i turned around and my mom was right behind me reading it...........she said " i bet he dont know your only 16 "

[89IROC&RS]

lol, because of my language??? if i offended i apologize.

[Jcrane88]

nah dont apologise, I was about rolling on the floor when i saw my mom reading it. I called a dealership and they said to call gm. I emailed the Techs at summit and they said to call a dealership. How do i call gm?

[89IROC&RS]

the dealership said to call GM???? thats odd, normally only the shop forman does that. What department of the dealership did you contact?

If the dealership isnt being helpful, then ask if you can come in and look at the shop manual on the car, and try to find your answers there. I kinda sorta stole one so thats where i get all my info. Its worth its weight in gold.

[Jcrane88]

i asked for the service department. I have a HAynes manual, but that aint worth nothing in this case. I'll look at a big chilton manual next time i go to town