330HP 350CI crate engine into a 1957

[Lauchlan F.]

Re: 330HP 350CI crate engine into a 1957

John H.

But will the stock '61 270HP aluminum radiator have sufficient cooling capability?

Lauchlan (Nickle and Diming in Anchorage where zz4's are tres cher)

[Joe L.]

Re: 330HP 350CI crate engine into a 1957

John H.

But will the stock '61 270HP aluminum radiator have sufficient cooling capability?

Lauchlan (Nickle and Diming in Anchorage where zz4's are tres cher)

Lauchlan------


If the radiator is in good shape I think it will work just fine for cooling the ZZ-4. The 1960-61 aluminum radiators had the same cooling capacity as the 1963-72 small block aluminum radiator at 4600 BTU. The later radiator was used to cool small blocks up to 350 cid and 370 hp (early 1970 LT-1).

[Scott S.]

Re: 330HP 350CI crate engine into a 1957

Theo, Why not just sleeve the whole motor back to stock, this would eliminate all the other issues. My 1956 RT Duntov Corvette has many sleeves in it. 20,000 miles no issues.
Scott

[Philip C.]

Re: 330HP 350CI crate engine into a 1957

Theo, Why not just sleeve the whole motor back to stock, this would eliminate all the other issues. My 1956 RT Duntov Corvette has many sleeves in it. 20,000 miles no issues.
Scott

Scott you can not sleeve a whole motor or even more than 2 or 3 cylionders. Phil 8063

[Joe L.]

Re: 330HP 350CI crate engine into a 1957

Scott you can not sleeve a whole motor or even more than 2 or 3 cylionders. Phil 8063

Phil------


I'm not aware of that. In general, it's not economically feasible to sleeve more than 3 cylinders (i.e. it's less expensive just to buy another block), but it is possible. I know folks that have sleeved all 8 cylinders. Usually, this is done to save a valuable or irreplaceable block (like an original Corvette block).

[Scott S.]

Re: 330HP 350CI crate engine into a 1957

Thanks Joe, Just came from an 8 sleeve block owner's home. I am not sure what Phil based his opinion on?
Scott

[Scott S.]

Re: 330HP 350CI crate engine into a 1957

BTW, Aluminum blocks are all sleeved.

[Clem Z.]

Re: 330HP 350CI crate engine into a 1957

i would guess there are plenty of the older SBC blocks out there with the rear draught tube that could be rebuilt to be used in your corvette.

[Bruce B.]

Re: 330HP 350CI crate engine into a 1957

Concerning the flywheel;
I put a Ramjet 350 in an old 62 Corvette and I believe the crate engine came from GM with a standard shift flywheel to which I mated a BW T-10 transmission.
It was sort of different since most GM crate engines come with a flexplate.
So, the correct flywheel would be available from GM.

As far as crancase ventillation: on my current 62 with the Hilborn I had to modify the internal crankcase vent due to interference problems (my fault). So I just took the original crancase vent and shortened it and used a few washers to create the baffles for oil separation.
I'll post the picture when I find it.

[Peter M.]

Re: 330HP 350CI crate engine into a 1957

I have been seriously been considering my 1957 Corvette as the old engine cannot be bored and is getting tired. One of my options is to buy a new 330HP 350CI Chevy crate engine and install it. There may be numerous challenges in installing it and getting it to work. Included is the problem of crankcase venting. Has anyone done this conversion and are they willing to share their experiences. I do have other options including rebuilding another 57 engine I have. However, I would like to explore the 350.Your comments are appreciated

Harold Kennedy (14248) has sucessfully installed a new fuel injected LS3 engine in his 57 roadster. It looks Great & is blindingly FAST !

You might want to give him a call and get his prespective.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/member.php?u=6103&uid=1158

[Dick W.]

Re: 330HP 350CI crate engine into a 1957

Scott you can not sleeve a whole motor or even more than 2 or 3 cylionders. Phil 8063

Hmmmm. Someone should have told me this 50 years ago. I have sleeved many engines (1 sleeve to 8 sleeves) with no problems. The '63 Chevrolet, NASCAR #3 Mystery Engine, ran it's last two races with 3 and then 7 sleeves with no problems.

[Joe L.]

Re: 330HP 350CI crate engine into a 1957

i would guess there are plenty of the older SBC blocks out there with the rear draught tube that could be rebuilt to be used in your corvette.

clem-----


Yeah, they're still some out there but not as many as there used to be. Many of them have undergone a metamorphosis and are Toyota's now.

[Philip C.]

Re: 330HP 350CI crate engine into a 1957

Thanks Joe, Just came from an 8 sleeve block owner's home. I am not sure what Phil based his opinion on?
Scott

Sorry Scott, I seem to try the short answer, if the block is orig or rare yeh, but the block distorts wih all those sleeves then you have to deck, line bore, line hone to get it square, alot of work and if (cracked/rotten) water is the prolbem to start with, more trouble, I would bore it out and have a set of pistons made before I would sleeve more than 2-3 a lot depends on the problem as all you guys know, Phil 8063