My 5.0 to 5.7 swap log

[Bondo]

Excelent! That's exactly what my plan was. I also ordered a pump casing with every seal I could find.

Ayuh,.... When ya put it back together, a dab of grease on the lower unit input shaft spline is a good idea,....
Where it goes into the upper gear set,... no oil there,...

Also, the water tube to the upper unit, oughta be in the upper unit, not in the guide tube on the lower unit,....

 

[sub2010ss]

I'm ready on the grease. Heres a couple of updated pics while I wait on my outdrive parts now. It's a waiting game I'm playing. Yesterday afternoon I got my long block in. Finally. Ran into some issues with that as well. Rapido Marine shipped the engine with a pretty crappy description and stated on the BOL that it had 11 parts. Well apparently the shipper thought they could drive this crate to my home in a Semi and we'd be able to open the box and take out the 11 pieces weighing 350lbs. Wrong answer. They were supposed to show up with a lift truck. We worked some magic and found a local show with a forklift and took care of it, but either the shipper or the machine shop screwed up big but neither will take any blame. Either way, I got er.






This is far as I made it last night. Just a few more things to get on and Ill be ready to drop it back in the boat.

 

[alldodge]

Lookinf good nut I would put the responsibility with Rapido Marine. They didn't have it packaged strong enough for what it was. The engine should have at least been in a tri-wall box, that's just a single wall. Glad nothing was hurt and the build can continue

 

[sub2010ss]

Oh right. I was really surprised about the packaging as well. I've heard of crate engines but never a box engine.

 

[Blind Date]

"Oh right. I was really surprised about the packaging as well."

​Boy no kidding. Building & shipping engines is what they do and that's the best they can come up with? Good to hear nothing got damaged in transit. What you've got done looks great! Fun thread to watch.

 

[sub2010ss]

Nothing damaged that I know of yet. Getting real close though. Not having a cherry picker capable of installing and removing this thing is a real pain. The shop I used to pull it isn't available until next week and I am going to be very busy all next week with work. So now my goal is to make my cherry picker work or find another shop to get her in.

 

[sub2010ss]

Late night and it paid off! got the engine in, aligned, and bolted up! Still have a lot of work to do but this was a huge step. The alignment tool indicated one small adjustment. I checked it twice after adjustment and both indicated even tracks all around the tool. Ill check it one more time in the morning now that its all tight.

 

[sub2010ss]

Pheww! Another long day! No picture updates today, guess i was too busy running for parts and swinging wrenches. Ill get some pics tomorrow of some of the issues I had and work arounds. Today, I got all wiring connected, exhaust risers on, carb on, plugs, wires and distributor on. Im pretty sure its ready to start minus the outdrive. Let me tell you about the throttle linkage and and carb. What a mess. My old throttle bracket definitely wouldn't work. I looked all over and there were no universal kits that would work here in Cedar Rapids. My only option was to make my own. Turned out really good, looks on as well. The new carb only had one vacuum port which was located above the throttle blades. I had to screw a port into the intake for the PCV. The old corrugated tube wouldn't work with the newer cleaner, so I connected that to the port that was on the carb. Finally the fuel line. Again, local parts stores didn't have the right connector. So I have a temp rubber hose just to get it running while I get the right part from online. Before anyone flame sprays me it is just temporary. Tomorrow I will get the outdrive back together and installed, check over the engine bay, get some clean fuel and give starting her a go. Pics to come.

 

[alldodge]

Glad to know you got the engine in without having to take it somewhere else

 

[sub2010ss]

I did. I wouldn't recommend doing it the way I did but it worked. Today I installed the ourtdrive, filled it up, did some last minute checks, hooked up the muffs and started her up. She fired as soon as I got fuel into the carb which was a task in itself.

I have an electric fuel pump and it didn't seem to want to run? So I jumped it to the battery, and it ran fine, primed the lines. Tried the key again and bam off she went. I had to make a few adjustments to get her in time and get the idle set right. Then let it run between 1800-1500 rpm for 30 min. Ran great, came up to temp, great oil pressure. After I let it idle down to 800 RPM and it purred like a kitten. The only issue I can see now is my batteries aren't holding a charge and I lost my hull drain plug somewhere.

 

[Idlespeedonly]

It is a wonderful sound to hear a new engine for the first time.

 

[JaCrispy]

Nice! Are you going to have to tune that carb or is it setup for a 350? I'm looking to swap out my Rochester at some point.

 

[jaybrassmonkey]

So I'm getting ready to replace a 4.3 and found your thread. Lots of good info here despite the difference in motor. Any problems with the engine from Rapido? Considering using them for my swap.

 

[sub2010ss]

It is a wonderful sound to hear a new engine for the first time.

It sure was! I was actually very surprised it fired up right away. I tried getting a video loaded, but haven't had much luck with that yet.

 

[sub2010ss]

Nice! Are you going to have to tune that carb or is it setup for a 350? I'm looking to swap out my Rochester at some point.

So far all I have done is adjust the idle settings. Ill have to get her on the water to see how she runs under load.

 

[sub2010ss]

So I'm getting ready to replace a 4.3 and found your thread. Lots of good info here despite the difference in motor. Any problems with the engine from Rapido? Considering using them for my swap.

Glad it could help a little at least. So far no issues with the engine at all. I commented earlier about the shipping. Basically I was told the engine was in stock and available to ship within 24 hours. I called 3 days later and it still hadn't shipped. Shipping was quoted as 3-5 days but it took 8. Then when the engine arrived there was a miscommunication with Rapido and the shipper and it arrived on a truck with no ability to unload it. So far this was all an inconvenience but not the end of the world. Rapido has always answered the phone or returned calls quickly.

 

[sub2010ss]

Got the video working.

 

[sub2010ss]

Just a quick write up on some of the major purchases I made.

Remanufactured engine
Rapido Marine (www.rapidomarine.com)
5.7 GM Vortec casting 880 Long Block
Ordered 3/18/15
Shipped 3/23/15 I was told 24 hour turn around on shipping?
Received 4/2/15 Arrived on a trailer with no lift gate. Had to make arrangements for forklift to delivery engine. Shipper(Roadrunner) blamed Rapido and Rapido blamed shipper. Good customer service and reply time.

Amazon
One of my favorite online order hot spots. Always great service and quick shipping with prime.
Ordered several tools, kits, and items.

Ebay
Another of my favorites.

S.S. Bolt kit (savvy_motorsports)
Ordered 3/26/15
Received 3/19/15

Edelbrock Carb 1409 (wholesale-performance-outlet)
Ordered 3/26/15
Received 3/30/15
Came with a free shirt

Edelbrock Marine Intake 2516 (michiganmotors)
Ordered 3/26/15
Received 3/30/15
Same price as their page but with free shipping.

K&N Marine Flame Arrestor (jegsperformance)
Ordered 3/30/15

HGE Exhaust Manifolds and Risers
Performance Product Technologies (www.perfprotech.com)
Ordered 3/23/15
Received 3/30/15
Boxes came damaged and missing parts. Emailed customer service and received prompt return phone call and shipment of missing parts.






CFM Technologies
Emailed and called to get info on their intake/carb packages with no replies.

Hardin Marine
Placed and order for their intake/carb package with no shipping status within a week. Called to find status and was told it was backordered 2-3 weeks. Canceled order.

 

[sub2010ss]

Well, I think I'm ready to head to the water for the first time today.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Been watching your thread.
I installed a RapidoMarine 5.7 Vortec a few years ago (~450Hrs)....no issues so far.
Hope all goes well today.