Of course I will be priming the engine before starting. Just never adjusted lifters before pumping them on a car. Funny thing is that on my Harleys I always adjust them completely dry. The cam kit is #3702.
We managed to complete our punch list this weekend. Motor is assembled with all new gaskets, etc. The old 4.3 is out, new motor mounts on the frame installed (passenger side on 2WD models is such a bitch), TBI is rebuilt with 5.7 injectors, new front seal on the tranny and the 5.7 is in the frame with JTR mounts. Almost there! I've been really proud of my kid during this. I know he doesn't dig working on cars that much but he has been kicking butt!
Last edited by lockdoc on Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Current:
01 AWD - Stock
98 AWD - Stock
Past:
93 4WD - 305 V8 - 5" lift - 31" tires
98 4WD DHC - 10" lift - 33" tires - Onboard air and Hydraulics - Snowplow
92 RWD - 350 V8 - lowered - 97 front clip
92 RWD - 350 V8 - converted to AWD - V6
91 AWD - 350 V8 - conversion van
94 RWD - 350 V8 - sons van
92 RWD - stock - sons van
93 RWD Shorty - project
89 RWD Shorty - parts van
Definitely a tappet cam. No link bars or dog bones. The engine is set up for em, I'd salvage the stuff in the future and stick a good stock TPI cam in it. Maybe some 1.6 rockers too but the roller cams for reliability these days. Last one I scored was $20 shipped via ebay, and I shoved it in my spare L03.
That being said, that cam is a good step above stock, you'll get noticeably more power from it and it should be very nice for the drivability of the engine. Great vacuum/idle and a great deal more fun to drive. I believe it is based off a production grind which was used in a lot of 350s. It should be something like the TRW #274 cam. Keep it up, you'll be done in no time flat unlike people like me whom can't make their minds up.
Some more work done. While installing new vacuum line hoses I realized I was one port short on the TBI. The van originally had an electronic EGR. The 5.7 does not. Didn't even think about the TBI not having the needed port. Rather than trying to score another TBI body, I removed a tube from a junk body, drilled the two missing holes in the good body and pressed the tube in. Other mods done for the swap were to modify the mount for the cruise control assembly, added a section to the cruise control linkage, added and mounted an EGR solenoid and I drilled out the welds on the transmission filler tube front mount and welded it more forward to mount in the stock 5.7 location. This thing will definitely look like it came from the factory with a 350!
Current:
01 AWD - Stock
98 AWD - Stock
Past:
93 4WD - 305 V8 - 5" lift - 31" tires
98 4WD DHC - 10" lift - 33" tires - Onboard air and Hydraulics - Snowplow
92 RWD - 350 V8 - lowered - 97 front clip
92 RWD - 350 V8 - converted to AWD - V6
91 AWD - 350 V8 - conversion van
94 RWD - 350 V8 - sons van
92 RWD - stock - sons van
93 RWD Shorty - project
89 RWD Shorty - parts van
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
Almost! We can see the light. This weekends punch list included installing a vette 2-4 servo, rear transmission seal. Our goal was to use the existing y-pipe\catalytic converter combo with the 92 5.7 manifolds. The pic shows how close it was. Only needed a little persuasion. Rolled the subframe back under the van and bolted everything back up. A rusty brake line sprung a leak in the process so we had to replace that. Installed the radiator, ac stuff and everything else that had to be reinstalled. Got all the wiring done including extending a few wires and rewiring the linear EGR harness to a standard EGR. Installed the battery and checked to see that the fuel pump turned on. It did. Cranked it a bit to check the starter. It actually started. Immediately shut off because were not ready for that. Still have to install the new PCM and fill the fluids. So basically we just have to install the grille\bumper and few odds and ends, time it and go. Oh yeah, bolt on the rest of the new exhaust and bleed the brakes. The brakes can turn out to be a project in themselves. I pray the bleeders will open. Wish us luck!
Current:
01 AWD - Stock
98 AWD - Stock
Past:
93 4WD - 305 V8 - 5" lift - 31" tires
98 4WD DHC - 10" lift - 33" tires - Onboard air and Hydraulics - Snowplow
92 RWD - 350 V8 - lowered - 97 front clip
92 RWD - 350 V8 - converted to AWD - V6
91 AWD - 350 V8 - conversion van
94 RWD - 350 V8 - sons van
92 RWD - stock - sons van
93 RWD Shorty - project
89 RWD Shorty - parts van
Lock, the amount of stuff you can do in one or two days just absolutely blows me away
'89 Astro, 4.3L, TBI. Minor intake and exhaust mods. Rebuilt 700R4 trans (by me). Corvette servo, 0.5" boost valve, police grade 1-2 accumulator spring (shifts fast and solid). B&M stacked plate trans cooler. Bilstein shocks. Belltech sway bars front and back. New head unit, speakers and subwoofer. Needs paint and a new headliner.
name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
Once this van is done, time to V8 the 98 AWD! 
