School me on Vortec engines

[WildWilly68]

I just bought a complete '97 350 Vortec out of a pickup thats a runner but has a slight knock in the lower end. Obviously I'm looking at bearings and such, but I need to know if these are much more expensive to rebuild than the old SBC. I'm looking at mild performance upgrades since I want it to be more driveable than the monster I'm running now. I'm thinking a cam upgrade and maybe a RPM Air-gap manifold with a Edelbrock 600, and shit-canning the stock dizzy for something else. Suggestions are welcome because I know very little about this beast. I figured for a complete motor for $50 I couldn't go wrong. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Bill

[Missing Link]

Don't put in a "taditional" hot rod...

[willowbilly3]

You've got a decent set of heads there. If nothing else chunk the bottom and use them elsewhere. There are some differences in the crank/rear main seal but I think it is still a basic sbc.

[Ayers Garage]

Here's what we found at the dealership when I worked there.

Believe it or not, if the intake manifold is torqued incorrectly onto that engine, it can cause lower end problems.That's ironic, because the stock intake gaskets usually start leaking about 50-75k miles and need replaced. Most guys just torque them by feel like we've always done with SBC intakes. They must you a torque wrench.

Basically, it's a normal SBC underneath. Same old stuff applies to them that always have to SBCs, except the weird intake manifold bolt pattern deal.

[choprods]

One peice rear main seal- different crank from 95 up...all intake bolts are straight up and intake is spaced about half inch wider at bolts than early motor. roller cam/lifters make for a 900 dollar rebuild kit instead of a 200 dollar kit for old SBlock.[I say use the heads and an old block/crank.]

[tomslik]

yeah, but you don't HAVE to replace the lifters IF you use the correct cam

ya got a good buy for 50 bucks, the heads are worth that(if they're not broke)

[WildWilly68]

OK thanks for the info guys....I can rest a little easier now knowing its not a whole new animal.

Bill