Sbc id

[batch]

what year did the SBC change to center bolt valve covers
thinking of getting a crate motor for my 86 but was told it has center bolts , except mine doesn't what and Where are the #s to pull off the block

 

[GalDemSuga]

what year did the SBC change to center bolt valve covers
thinking of getting a crate motor for my 86 but was told it has center bolts , except mine doesn't what and Where are the #s to pull off the block

I checked this out on my 89 last night. You can use the LMC online catalog pages 3-4 ( I think) along with your VIN # to help you identify the motor.

 

[4X4HIGH]

1986 was the first one piece rear main seal engine and 1987 was the first year for centerbolt valve covers and also the four center intake bolt angles changed.

 

[batch]

would swapping in an older 2 piece rear seal engine be a better swap i know they are cheaper . or rebuild the one i got

 

[4X4HIGH]

The one piece seal blocks are far superior to the two piece rear seal blocks as far as rear main seal leaks are concerned. I see you're in Ca. so you must be careful about installing an engine with centerbolt valve covers as that wasn't factory in your year rig and when emission testing comes around you "could" encounter problems with the smog tech saying "this isn't factory so you have to see a referee". It is easier to make your life easier by installing the correct engine for your application. As far as your comment about the early two piece seal engines being cheaper i don't know where you got that info from. You could install the earlier engine though and no one would know unless they pulled the trans. Just make sure IF you do install an earlier engine that you at least get one with the passenger side dipstick or you could run into troubles once again.

 

[batch]

i have seen the older crate motors 85 and earlier for mine or about 1800 and i was qouted 2500 for the correct 86 motor for mine , just trying to save some bucks because mine is started to make some bearing noise and has bad oil pressure

 

[4X4HIGH]

One other thing, if you do replace your one piece rear seal engine with an older two piece seal engine you will need a different flexplate since the later engine uses a 3" bolt circle rather than the earlier 3.58" bolt circle. Also the 86 and newer engines are all externally balanced on the rear but not the front (doesn't really matter since the flexplate won't interchange anyways. Just giving the facts).