[MARKDTN]

To answer your question, yes that engine will bolt in in place of your 350. You have to use the flexplate on it and not your original because the 1-piece seal engines use a different one. You may or may not have machining for the fuel pump rod; so you may be forced into an electric fuel pump. You will have to have a different intake because the center bolts are at a different angle or you can slot the manifold severely and make them work. Either use all or none of the serpentine belt system and water pump-and fan. The exhaust manifolds will bolt right up.

Now, as to overheated a little and then quit, I doubt it. In about 2001 I bought a '95 Suburban. two weeks later my wife was driving and the water pump died. It got so hot that it melted the plastic plug on the water temp sending unit. Put a new water pump and sending unit and put almost 100K miles on it after that with no real issues. Small Blocks are tough! One reason they are a top choice in demolition derbies-that and rear distributors. I would walk cautiously on this engine. Also, I would keep the TBI. It is very reliable and simple to hook up. You will gain nothing converting it to a carb and you would have all the parts to do it except a fuel pump.