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My brother gave me a motor its a 1987 350 its still in the truck so I havent had a chance to peel it out yet or really look at it and with all the california emsissions stuff I cant even see the casting numbers. What is the difference between the 87 blocks from the previous years? I have been told its not a factory roller cam engine. Also after looking through the parts catalogs that there are a few things that are listed that say they wont work with 87 and newer blocks. I know the heads are different but I dont plan on using the heads or the TBI unit that are sitting on it now. Do the 87 and newer blocks that dont have the roller cam have 1 peice rear main seals or are they the same as the 86 and older blocks? Also I want to use a 2 peice timing cover to swap cams a little easier since I will probably be switching back and forth between cams ever other year and all the ones I have found say they wont fit 87 and newer blocks.

The basic difference is the dip stick is on the pass. side and may have a one peace rear seal. But the truck motors are different than the car motors and other than the dip stick they are about the same as the older motors but you need to check.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

i used the old style timing cover on mine with no problems . The blocks with 1-pc rear seals are roller compatible , meaning a factory roller will work in them . They all will take a flat tappet cam shaft old or new . The TBI truck motors were flat tappet hydraulic , buy blocks are cast with provisions for roller cams .

cool thats good to hear Im glad someone finally shed a little light on the subject. I have been thinking about finding another block to use just due to the fact that it was completely unfamiliar to me and I didnt want to get stuck with something I couldnt use. Seems like everytime I try to do something new to me I allways end up with something weird that no one wants and I cant make work. I have been so busy I still havent had a chance to peel it out of the truck.

The short block parts (crank rods and pistons ) will swap with lt1 stuff . Some of them are drilled for fuel pump rod , some are not .

thats good to hear as far as fuel pumps go Im allready set up with an electric pump so that wont be a problem. What about heads I have a set of heads Im getting ready to run out the door and go pick up from the machine shop right now that are from 1970-73 will I run into probems with them? I am assuming they should bolt right up with out any problems.

The heads bolt right on . Even if they have steam holes (used on a 400) , the gasket will seal them off . Be aware that roller lifters use a different length pushrod than flat tappets . If using flat tappets use standard pushrods .

cool deal I feel better now. My heads were drilled for steam holes but who ever did it hacked them up so bad that I had to have them pinned because they were on the edge of not sealing. Just got home from picking up the heads they are all ready to go.