Engine build help... 350 to 350 vortec........

Hello everyone, I know this has been beat to death but i have spent the last two weeks pouring over forums and searching for answers to my questions but i keep getting conflicting answers and have decided to go ahead and ask for your professional help.

I have aquired two 98 4bolt truck vortec's that seem to be in great shape and i am planning on tearing them down and replacing bearings, seals, frost plugs and pistons in order to replace my 2 very tired 1988 350's from my bayliner 3255. I will also be converting them to a carb setup and at this point i am thinking of using an elderbrock vortec intake manifold setup to accept my carb's unless someone can recomend a better option.

My questions are re the cams and wether or not they have to be replaced due to the possibility of water ingestion from valve overlap (the roller cams have strange #'s on the end that no one cam seem to identify but no real GM part #, they seem to have very little wear if any). Both engines look stock and i dont believe they were ever taken apart or modified so i think they are factory cams. The reason I would like to keep them is strictly due to the fact i'm trying to prep them on a budget and cams add almost 600 to the budget.

I also see that i can get a vortec truck rebuild kit without cams a little less than a marine kit, i am only ever in fresh water so is there a need for the difference in headgaskets and such?

So basicly Is there anything more that i should be aware of in the difference of the two engines or something that i may need to plan for that i havent considered? I am hoping that some of you may have tackled this before and can guide me with your expertise....

I apoligize in advance as i know this has been covered so may times but one post says one thing and the next another and i am a bit confused about the use of truck engines in a marine application.

Thanks again,
Steven

Re: Engine build help... 350 to 350 vortec........

and i am a bit confused about the use of truck engines in a marine application.

Click to expand...

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... In freshwater, you oughta be just fine with the truck cam, 'n probably fine with the truck gasket set...
But inventory the sets to see if that's the price difference...

The aluminum intake ought be just fine as well.... the Edlebrock 1409 is a nice carb option too...

Re: Engine build help... 350 to 350 vortec........

I appreciate your quick response. I see that eldebrock sells a few different model intakes that would work... Do you have a preference that would work well with the carb you mentioned or if I got stuck and used my quadrabog until I could afford the eldebrock carb... Would it work with both carbs?