Hi Fellas-
Like the subject line states, I just swapped out my 350 engine for a 454 engine.
Here’s the story, I also need help with one issue.
I bought the 1979 GMC K25, 4x4, long bed, 350 hydro transmission, about 3 months ago.
The original owner (I’m the 2nd owner) bought the truck new and it came with a 400 CID. When the 400 wore out the owner put in a 350 CID.
I bought the truck and the 350 was pretty tired and decided to swap out for a rebuilt 454. I got a 454 engine from a crashed, what I believed was a, 1976 Chev or GMC 1 ton truck 2WD. Got it with the a/c (which I wanted to keep) and all the 454 brackets still attached to the engine (for me, a good find).
I disassembled the 454 and had the machine shop do all the needed (and a little extra) machine work. I won’t go into what all I had done unless someone asks specifics.
The swap was pretty much a directly match bolt up. Few issues and headaches with motor mounts, but got it all worked out.
Oil pressure is good, no surprises during break-in. Hopefully I’ll be using the truck for many years towing our 5th wheel, towing our trailer with firewood, and using it as I think a truck should be used.
Now for the help needed……As many of you know it is not uncommon with the 350/454 swap to end up with the bottom of the radiator fan hitting the bottom of the shroud. I trimmed the bottom of the fan shroud away from the vibration damper, and also the forward edges of the alternator and power steering pump. Most of the shroud is still in undisturbed and I’d say about 90 % of the shroud still covers the fan.
I have not had any overheating issues, but we have not yet gotten into the warm weather and I haven’t yet towed anything with it. I’m concerned about future overheating issues, and would like to get a replacement fan shroud that would completely encircle (is that really a word
) the fan. The fan is a stock clutch type fan.
I have been told a fan shroud from a 1981-1987 truck, with a 454, would be a good replacement.
The radiator is a 3 core (I hope a got that right). I had the radiator serviced by a radiator shop during the rebuild and they said it was in good shape and they felt it would suffice for cooling the 454.
Any help would really be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Chris (in Idaho)