Chevy Vortec or Not

Hello all. I have a Chevy 350 engine out of a 1989 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd truck. The casting code is 14093638. The heads on it have a casting code of 14102193 and have center bolt valve covers. Is this a Vortec engine? I’ve looked on the internet but can’t find an answer. I’ve had some guys tell it’s a vortec and some guys tell they didn’t make Vortec 350’s in 1989. I’m so confused!! How can I tell, I’m trying to sell it and need to know one way or the other. Thanks in advance.

yes I believe it was the 2nd year of it

Not a Vortec. Vortecs were after the TBI engine which is what you have in an 89. 96 was the first year for the Vortec in full size Chevys.

The 1st vortecs 89-95 were (TBI)throttle body injected and the later years 96-99 were (CPI)central port injected and the newer ones 2000 on have the injectors on the fuel rail which is external on top of the manifold on each side.

If your truck has a throttle body on it ,it is a 1st series vortec. If it has a carburator is is NOT a vortec

Quote:

---

Not a Vortec. Vortecs were after the TBI engine which is what you have in an 89. 96 was the first year for the Vortec in full size Chevys.

---

Quote:

---

The 1st vortecs 89-95 were (TBI)throttle body injected and the later years 96-99 were (CPI)central port injected and the newer ones 2000 on have the injectors on the fuel rail which is external on top of the manifold on each side.

If your truck has a throttle body on it ,it is a 1st series vortec. If it has a carburator is is NOT a vortec

---

OK now I am confused I have a 95 Chevy Silverado Z71 with a 5.7L 350 V8 and I was told that this is not a vortec???? I had never heard of the 1st series vortec. What years was it that they had all the problems with the vortec?

The first official 5.7 vortec came on the 97 350s im pretty sure!

Here is a link to explain the GM Vortec engine….

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Vortec_engine

Most all Vortecs I have ever run across have had some runability issues weather it be piston slap knock, bad injectors,or intake gaskets. It was and still is a bad design by GM. Not a week goes by with out working on one for replacing the injectors or replacing the intake gaskets.

Even after cleaning injectors throughly.

Gm has redesigned the intake gasket 4 or 5 times to help solve the issue and now on the 2nd edition of CPI injectors, I do belive from 2000 and newer thats why they went to the external injectors.

You are correct Nick858,
The first year of the Vortec 350 and 305 engine was 96.
I bought a new 1995 truck, and was upset a few months later when they announced the Vortec engine coming out the following fall.
Looking back, the pre-vortec, throttle Body 350 was probably the strongest of any of them.

Wow, back and forth, back and forth. This need have a throttle body intake. So this is not a Vortec. right? Perhaps from what I’ve read maybe better than the first Vortecs. Thanks guys.