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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Performance => Topic started by: DBKc10 on April 13, 2015, 12:03:55 am

Title: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: DBKc10 on April 13, 2015, 12:03:55 am
I know this topic has been beat to death but I can't seem to find a few answers to some questions I have so if you guys could help me that would be amazing

Ok I have a 73 c10 350 with a th350 trans great truck but needs a lil more nuts currently has a few things like hooker long tubes an edlebrock im and a edlebrock 650 carb so it scoots great but I want to do a vortec head swap since I have a 99 Yukon with the vortec 5.7 in it that's chilling with a spun rod, now to my question can I just take the heads off the Yukon and thrown them on the c10 with a new vortec style im and be good to go or do I need a cam and new rocker arms all that fun stuff, if someone could give me a parts list or a list of what I need to rob off the Yukon that would be amazing thanks guys
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: outlaw70nova on April 13, 2015, 08:59:26 am
The heads are a simple swap. All you need is a carb'd intake with the vortec head bolt pattern.
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: DBKc10 on April 13, 2015, 11:00:23 am
That's what I thought, so I don't need to use a different cam,lifters,rocker arms and so on I can get away with just throwing the heads on with a new intake manifold for the time being
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: JHarris on April 13, 2015, 11:26:53 am
Yes, like outlaw said just the intake. If you want to save money, they sell just a bolt kit with little wedges to convert the intake you have to match the vortec heads. You will do a little drilling in the center bolt holes of your intake. Don't have the website on hand. Will post again as soon as I find it. Cheaper than a new intake.
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: DBKc10 on April 13, 2015, 11:32:23 am
I don't mind buying the intake manifold to make it easier with no drilling, I just have ti pull the heads soon before we get rid of the Yukon I just wanted to be sure I could use just the heads and new bolts, I'll get started on it and post up some progress thanks guys
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: DBKc10 on April 13, 2015, 01:33:52 pm
If anyone has any other info or has done the basic just heat change and can add to this that would be amazing
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: Engineer on April 13, 2015, 04:08:13 pm
Use the Vortec rocker arms on the Vortec heads. Don't use the older engine's rocker arms on the Vortec heads.
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: DBKc10 on April 13, 2015, 04:13:03 pm
I planned on just pulling the heads straight off getting them checked then putting them back home the older motor, will I be good with doing that ? No cam upgrade just a new intake manifold and the vortec heads
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: overtime on April 13, 2015, 09:04:33 pm
Yep.  As long as you don't have a big can or hi compression pistons.  The valves bind above .500 total lift I think.  A little fuzzy on the numbers now. 
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: overtime on April 13, 2015, 09:04:50 pm
Cam not can
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: DBKc10 on April 13, 2015, 09:13:00 pm
Nope bone stock bottom end
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: ricky.lowery.921 on April 13, 2015, 10:57:54 pm
I'm doing same swap just putting in whole motor in my 85 I bought the intake off amazon for 125$
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: DBKc10 on April 13, 2015, 10:59:53 pm
I would swap in the whole motor but the bottom end spun a rod
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: HAULIN IT on April 14, 2015, 06:56:28 pm
I believe you are going to need to replace the pushrods...the way I remember it is: the original ones are too long due to the Vortec rockers being thicker at the pushrod cup area. The Vortec ones are too short because they came from an engine with taller roller type lifters. Ignore me if someone claims otherwise...it's been many years since I was involved in the swap like you are describing (stock rockers). Lorne
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: DBKc10 on April 14, 2015, 07:01:35 pm
I guess I will have to do some searching  into the push rods and see what I find thanks for the info, if there's anything else you can remember that would be great thanks
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: travisr1988 on April 25, 2015, 10:18:59 pm
I thought i would need pushrods but as it turns out the stock pushrods were the correct length, however, it never hurts to get an adjustable pushrod and check.
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: DBKc10 on April 27, 2015, 05:18:50 pm
So the stock pushrods from the vortec motor work fine or the ones from the old motor
Title: Re: Vortec head swap questions
Post by: travisr1988 on April 28, 2015, 05:31:23 pm
The ones for the old motor. But again I recommend checking the length once assembled and making sure they are correct.