5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

[dan t.]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

looks like the rebuilder cheaped out on the timing chain and gears, those link belt chains and that multi holed wonder of a cam sprocket start to streach the moment you start the motor and they dont stop streaching. invest in a good quality true roller set. as for the windage tray mounting they are a bolt, not a stud as far as the main cap is concerned, oil the threads and torque to specs

 

[sschefer]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Help me out on this one.....what would be wrong with the harmonic balancer that was on the old engine?

Two terms describe this part, harmonic balancer and vibration dampner. Harmonic balancer is correct, vibration dampening is what it does. There is a rubber piece that is pressed in between the inner and outer parts. The stress from starting and stopping the engine coupled with it doing its job of helping to remove vibrations from a factory engine, will cause the rubber to break down over time.
When you build a high performance engine you sometimes do away with the rubber insert type and opt for one that is balanced with the crank.
For a few years GM made different dampners for the 305 and 350 the 305 was lighter and was sometimes used on 350's as a performance mod.

So the reason you want to change it are many. First you want to make sure you have a 350 dampner, (which you may well have). Second, if the rubber is in good shape after you clean all the corrosion off you might still have a usable damper that is somewhere close to factory balance spec's. If in doubt change it. If it's bad, you'll know after the first 25-50 hours when you feel that shudder under load and that high speed vibration that you just can't seem to nail down.

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Oh well today I went to Auto-Zone and ordered a new harmonic balancer. After all the talk about it here I started getting nervous about not protecting my investment and went ahead and decided to replace it. I probably don't need it but better safe than sorry.

Anyways, the intake and timing cover came today. Of course I was as excited as a 12 year old on Christmas Eve when I saw the UPS truck. All I am waiting on now is the new water pump, thermostat housing, and harmonic balancer and I will be able to put this thing all the way back together.

I got busy getting to work on the engine. I wipe it down good with alcohol and then the mating surfaces with lacquer thinner. Installed the oil seal into the timing chain cover and then got it on the engine in short order.

Then it was time to put the oil pan on. Raul included the 4 piece gasket set but after looking at it and not trusting my abilities to install it correctly I was off to the auto parts store and got a one piece gasket like the old one I had which was actually reusable but I discarded it. Once I got back it was a breeze getting the pan installed.

I then moved to the intake. I installed the gaskets per the instructions in the manual and those included in the gasket set. 1st I ran to Ace Hardware and got 12 new grade 8 bolts for the intake and a couple 6 inch bolts that I cut the heads off to help me guide it on. I followed the instructions I got here and squeezed out a bead of RTV silicone on the front and back edges and dropped the intake in place. Used the torque wrench to drive the bolts home and then decided it was time for a break.

I installed a few of the accessories, spark plug wire holders, distributor hold down clamp, and the coil bracket before calling it a day. I will put the motor mounts back on tomorrow I guess along with the drain petcocks and a few more accessories that I can do until the remaining parts show up on Friday.

Thanks for all the help so far guys.

 

[jy118lfd]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Looks good, keep going. The paint looks real thin in some spots. I would give it a good coat of phantom black before you drop her in.

Did you scrub the intake clean? Inside and out?

Did you check your oil pump pickup to pan clearance?

B.T.W. those one piece pan gaskets are the best!

 

[jy118lfd]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Can't wait to see some performance numbers.

It sucks, you could have got a vortec roller motor if you were going to change the intake.

But it will still be wayyyy better than the tired 305 you had.

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Looks good, keep going. The paint looks real thin in some spots. I would give it a good coat of phantom black before you drop her in.

Did you scrub the intake clean? Inside and out?

Did you check your oil pump pickup to pan clearance?

B.T.W. those one piece pan gaskets are the best!

Yes, Yes, and yes!!!

What's really nice is the silicone in the can. Made installing everything so much easier than pressing a tube.

Once I get the motor mounts back on I'm going to take her off the stand for the rest of the build. Those manifolds and risers weigh a considerable lot and it becomes a hassle turning the engine as the weight goes up.

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Pick up 2 of number 4 and 5 on this schematic and install them in your block drains. You will never mess with stuck block drains again. You can also get the elbows for your manifolds that have the blue plugs in them and you can drain your motor without using a wrench.

http://www.ishopmarine.com/ishop/js...&isForSupStore=false&cCatFilter=&eCatSupFldr=

Just ordered them. Thanks!!!

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

I went back in the garage after dinner and installed the coil, alternator bracket, power steering bracket and pump, starter, and motor mounts. I need to get a new water temperature sensor. Don't know if an automotive one will work or not (any ideas) or if it is special made for marine engines. I still need a new power steering oil cooler. I looked at the old one and found the two holes which was making the oil milky. I will search eBay I guess tomorrow. I attached the engine hoist chain to the front of the engine to take some of the weight off of the bolts and relieve some of the strain. It is already difficult to turn over now. So now I have to wait on my other parts and I'm taking the carburetor to my brother-in-laws shop in Alabama this weekend for him to rebuild it. I have called a few places locally and they all prefer not to work on Rochester carbs. Go figure. Theres an EDELBROCK PREFORMER 1409 MARINE CARBURETOR being offered on eBay that I was thinking about scooping up but I'm not sure if it will fit my application. I'll just wait and see what my brother-in-law says Saturday before looking elsewhere.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Theres an EDELBROCK PREFORMER 1409 MARINE CARBURETOR being offered on eBay that I was thinking about scooping up but I'm not sure if it will fit my application.

That's a very good carb - if it is used, you might want to check on a new one. The only issue you will have is the Performer Carb is a square bore and you have a spread bore manifold. Not a big problem, but you will more than likely need an adapter plate as well.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Great thread! Many people will get use out of this when they decide to swap their longblock too.

Question for you -- the hoist looks like a typical engine hoist for a car. Is that what you used to get the old engine out of your boat? I wouldn't think it would be tall enough.

 

[meesh]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Engine hoist worked on my boat, tires off and tailer low enough to just slide the hoist under it. Also came in from the transom since hoist was too short to come in from the side. Depends on your set up, may have to come from overhead. 1409 is a great set up, you will need a adapter to go from square bore to spread bore. This carb solved my Rochester problems many years ago. Put one on and your done, problems solved. Also I would not buy a used one, Jeggs or Summitt for $335.

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

..........Question for you -- the hoist looks like a typical engine hoist for a car. Is that what you used to get the old engine out of your boat? I wouldn't think it would be tall enough.

Yep, I have used this hoist to take the engine out and put back in several times. Hopefully this will be the last time. It has a 120 inch lift capacity so it is no problem at all. That is why I bought this particular one. The only downside is that it is not foldable so it takes up a lot of garage space.

 

[jy118lfd]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

The edelbrock is a good carb. But the rochester q-jet is the best most application specific carb ever made. I have a q-jet on my motor and I have gone thru it. It must be calibrated to your specific app thou. If your carb is origional you just need a proper rebuild. That does not mean a cheap napa kit.

Cliffsqjet.com sells the best kits and he will talk to you forever to get the carb right. You can send it to him as well he is the best!!! Cliff has been building these carbs since before anyone. His book is available at barnes and nobles. "How to rebuild and modify quadrajet carbs"

I am confident you could do the carb over if you bought the book. I could do it for you but you would have to ship it to me and then back so you might as well send it to him. I have done many of these carbs and only wish you were closer as I would help you become a believer in these.

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

.........I could do it for you but you would have to ship it to me and then back so you might as well send it to him. I have done many of these carbs and only wish you were closer as I would help you become a believer in these.

Where in NJ are you located. I'm originally from there. My mom and brother are still there. I don't get back that way very often though, only twice in the past 12 years. I'm going to see if my brother-in-law can rebuild it, he has rebuilt several Holleys for me in the past.

Today I was shocked to get a call from Auto-Zone. The harmonic balancer was in. I also received via UPS the thermostat housing and the water pump so after work I got busy. I have everything on the engine not but the wiring harness, carb, fuel lines, manifolds. I did notice a problem with the drain hole on the block. It appears that the threads are striped on one side. The little plug wasn't even screwed in it was just propped up in the opening. I will call Raul tomorrow to see what he recommends as a fix. I guess I could repair the threads but I'll get his thoughts first since he is warrantying the engine.

I installed a new water temperature sender today as well. Tomorrow I will get it off of the stand and sit it on blocks so I can install the manifolds and risers. Then I will route the wiring harness and get everything back wired up. If not for the carb I'd be ready to test in this weekend.

Also while I'm at it, the flywheel is full of surface rust. I plan on lightly sanding it clean. Is there any reason why I shouldn't put a thin layer of paint on the face and back of it to help protect it or is it not necessary?

Tomorrow I want to fill the crankcase with oil also. I have read threads in the past about using a screw driver to prime the pump and get oil to flow throughout the engine prior to starting it. Can anyone chime in and give me some more insight as to what to do and so forth.

Thanks.

 

[fyrfightr]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Talk to Autozone about priming the oil pump. They should have the propper tool to use that works off a drill. It part of their tool loaner program so when you return it you get your money back.

 

[jy118lfd]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Talk to Autozone about priming the oil pump. They should have the propper tool to use that works off a drill. It part of their tool loaner program so when you return it you get your money back.

Thats what I would do.


I am in Bricktown, Central Jersey, Point. Pleasent area.
You could paint the flywheel it would not matter.

Oh and the q-jet is no holley If you have any problems with the rebuild e-mail me
jy118lfd@aol.com

I will try to help, there is more to it than cleaning it out and putting a new kit in it. You also need to change the secondary metering rods in it. The 305 used CL rods and the 350 uses CH rods. I think you can get AY rods from summit or jegs they are about 12 bucks. The AY rods are the closest to the CH rods you need that are still available. You can check the rods you have in it when you have it apart. They are stamped with two letters. You can find charts online that tell you what all the letters mean. But you need the CH or AY rods. The CL rods will be a bit to lean for the 350

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

This is addictive. I couldn't stay away so I went back in the garage and put the manifolds on and a new hose from the oil cooler to the power steering ram. I then filled the crankcase with oil and realized pretty quick that I had an oil leak from the valve cover gasket. I will take the manifold off tomorrow and remove the valve cover and replace that gasket. I actually have a spare that I ordered by mistake. Now all I need is a really big and long screwdriver to operate the oil pump.

 

[dan t.]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

to make an oil pump primer ,go to the local auto wrecker, buy a junk chev small block distributor,drive out the pin and remove the gear,pull out the shaft,remove all the advance mechanisim from the shaft, cut the top off the housing, grind the teeth off the gear,reinstall on the shaft put the shaft back in the housing. you can then put this in the motor in place of the distributor and turn it with a 1/2 inch drill to turn the oil pump and prime the motor.it sounds like a lot but realy takes only 1 hour or less to build,and you have a handy tool to show off to your buddys
good luck on your motor swap

 

[superpop]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Dude, not to nag or anything but I would pull all the rubber off that thing and put a nice coat of fresh paint on the whole thing. I would even scuff the valve covers and paint them as well. It is a lot nicer to work on a freshly painted motor and you can spot leaks a lot easier when everything is the same color.

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Dude, not to nag or anything but I would pull all the rubber off that thing and put a nice coat of fresh paint on the whole thing.

How much blacker do you think it should be? Wouldn't painting the valve covers defeat the whole purpose of buying chrome valve covers?