Old school 73 SBC swap into my 92 k1500 - Can i retain AC?

[Jake396]

Hello, I have a 1992 k1500 with a 350 TBI motor that has recently blown up, but luckily i have a spare 350 SBC from a ~1973 monte carlo. I would like to keep AC in my truck, has anyone done a swap similar to this keeping the TBI motors AC Compressor?

 

[L31MaxExpress]

Hello, I have a 1992 k1500 with a 350 TBI motor that has recently blown up, but luckily i have a spare 350 SBC from a ~1973 monte carlo. I would like to keep AC in my truck, has anyone done a swap similar to this keeping the TBI motors AC Compressor?

Swap the heads and your life will be much simpler overall.

 

[Sean Buick 76]

The AC should bolt up and if your using a carb then there isn’t any need to swap the heads.

 

[L31MaxExpress]

The AC should bolt up and if your using a carb then there isn’t any need to swap the heads.

Definitely not enough accessory holes on those older heads. The newer heads have 3 bolt holes each.

 

[b454rat]

70s motor should have all the accessory holes. It’s the 60s n earlier that didn’t. But yes I’d just swap heads, did that to a 406 I built years afo

 

[Nad_Yvalhosert]

I've got an '83 block in my '88 TBI. You'd never know aside for the wring side dipstick. TBI heads and intake, all accessories swap over and function 100%.
Only difference was the flex plate for a 2-piece rear main seal.

 

[Jake396]

Swap the heads and your life will be much simpler overall.

Passenger head is trashed. Plus my spare engine has the 1.94 heads. Anyway to do this without getting TBI heads?

 

[L31MaxExpress]

70s motor should have all the accessory holes. It’s the 60s n earlier that didn’t. But yes I’d just swap heads, did that to a 406 I built years afo

No 70s only had 1 accessory bolt hole on the front of the RH head. It is part of the reason why I put 810 swirl ports on a 406 I built. That and the added compression.

 

[b454rat]

Hmm. Memory ain't what it used to be lol. It's been over 25 years at least since I messed with one

 

[L31MaxExpress]

Hmm. Memory ain't what it used to be lol. It's been over 25 years at least since I messed with one

No worries. GM did not put all the accessory bolt holes used with the TBIs until they went to center bolt valve covers and even then some examples of early centerbolt valve cover heads such as the Corvette aluminum heads still did not have them all.