VORTEC CONVERSION

[LIVEEZ]

I have read this somewhere and I did a search but I could not find it anywhere. Lets say I bought some used vortecs (1998 model blazer) and I wanted to get them installed on my sy. What is the procedure to get them to fit? I know someone mods them and sells them bolt on but I am on a budget. I believe I have a bad head gasket as well so I want to remove the heads once and be done with it.

_________________
Kevin SY 2054

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: LIVEEZ on 2002-03-27 07:46 ]</font>

 

[xcaliber]

Go here
http://www.tyclone.com/Vortec/

this is a rundown on the install, it wil give you a good idea as to what is envolved

Jamie Sanders
Sy 0252
Heber Springs, AR

 

[nick041881]

ok here is it..i was doing this to my truck, but gave up and sent my heads to john waller to have them done..

1st: you have to plug the stock holes on the intake side of the vortec heads(4 bolt holes)by using a threaded rod and cut it off and sand it smooth.

2nd: you have to line up the lower intake manifold with the heads, and drill and tap the holes in the heads to fit the stock intake manifold.

3rd: you will have to match up the ports on the vortecs to those on the intake manifold. the vortec ports are larger.
this is not as easy as it sounds(i found out from john!)you have to have a shop aluminum weld the tops of the ports on the manifold, because while porting them you will run out of material on top(that much porting is needed, so the aluminum weld is a re-enforcement).
4th: you need to buy the gaskets. John told me that alot of people use the felpro gasket for the 18 degree heads i believe. the part # is 1292.
** this is not as easy as it sounds!! but worth alot of good hp when finished....
GOOD LUCK !!
peace,
nick

 

[dourtyb]

I went to the hardware store and picked up some 5/16", 3/4" long allen head bolts. They don't really have a head on them. They almost look like a stud, but don't have the non-threaded boss. I used some locktire on them so they wouldn't come out. Looks like it will work well. The only thing you really need to worry about is the front hole and the rear hole. I believe both of them go to water ports so make sure they get sealed. The gasket doesn't cover those on mine. I have some pictures of my conversion at http://www.got-boost.net/engine/intake.shtml

 

[Falco]

Brian,

You were talking about in an other thread using a different dip stick with Vortecs. Is this a must, or just somebody lost his stock one?

TIA,

 

[LIVEEZ]

This is all great information on the conversion. Has anyone tried to have the vortec heads resurfaced to fix the gap. What I mean is machining the side of the head that contacts the manifold. Maybe leave a space at the top of the head for the valve cover gasket to seal? It would be like a step. This would alow the stock distributor to be used without modifications. It would also get rid of the spacer on the manifold. Then all you would have to do is drill and tap the bolts deeper and in the right spots to fit the vortecs. Am I way out off line here?

 

[jwaller]

if you drill and tap the heads for the stock pattern and weld up the intake there is no need for spacers or machining of the dist boss.

 

[dourtyb]

You can use the stock dipstick tube but you will have to drill and tap a mounting hole for it. I'd suggest using the 96'+ dipstick and tube if you want a factory look and don't want to drill another hole that could possible cause a leak.

 

[Falco]

Thanks Brian, that makes sense.