Re: replacement block from wreckers
janeto72 said:
Mik,
thanks for the heads up.Do you think that using a 1996 engine is the way to go...or should I look for a 1988-93 block???
thanks,
john
Well any of them will work, as waller said, just be sure to remember that the 96+ blocks have the aluminum oil pan, that you have to keep, and they use a different timing chain set for the balabce shaft and also a different cam, they also have a plastic front timing cover that will have a crank senser for the OE fuel injection that you wont need on a SyTy, but will need to leave the senser in to keep it from leaking oil out of the hole.
The balance shaft is supposed to help give a smoother idle, other than that it does nothing, i think that as far as block strength goes thay are all the same, plus getting vortec heads out of the deal is a win win.
I wouod just have the 96 engine rebuilt and drop it in, and then set the original on a stand and keep it in a corner, if its original and you want to the numbers matching engine with the truck.
You can also eliminate the balance shaft by using a cam and timing set designed for a non balance shaft block. but you still have to use the plastic front cover, or if you can find an early balance shaft block from 92-93 they had a steel front cover you could use on the later block that doesnt have the crank sensor hole in it.