VEGE VCB1 Remanufactured Long Block – 1987–1995 GM 350 TBI with Tinware
The TBI-Truck 350 — Arriving with Tinware Installed
The throttle-body-injected 350 carried GM’s trucks and vans through 1987–1995: simple, torquey, and endlessly serviceable. The VEGE VCB1 is that engine, remanufactured in the Netherlands by Europe’s largest engine remanufacturer — and it arrives with valve covers, timing cover and oil pan already installed, freshly sealed and ready for your intake, exhaust manifolds, accessories and TBI system.
Under the tinware it’s the correct 1987–1995 specification: 2-bolt mains, non-roller cam, 1-piece rear main seal — with one important detail the application guide is explicit about: the supplied timing cover fits a 7″ balancer with the timing pointer at 12 o’clock, and this code covers over-8,500-GVW applications (C3500HD, P-series, R/V trucks). Thermal cleaned, crack-tested, machined to OEM tolerances, all-new wearable internals, and run on a state-of-the-art test bench before dispatch.
Which 350 Do You Have? The Family Tree
VEGE builds many 350 variants — your VIN code (6/K/M for this one) decides:
Table
| Code | Years | Tinware | Mains | Best known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VCB1 (this engine) | 1987–95 | Yes | 2-bolt | TBI trucks, over-8,500 GVW, C3500HD/P/R/V |
| VCM5 | 1987–95 | Yes | 4-bolt | ≤8,500 GVW, center-bolt covers |
| VC96 | 1986 only | Yes | 2-bolt | Perimeter-bolt covers, block #548 |
| DCB1 | 1987–92 | No | — | Vortec-head variant, no tinware |
| DCH4 | 1996–2000 | No | — | Vortec truck 350 |
Send your VIN and we’ll point you to the right code before you order.
Remanufactured vs Rebuilt vs Used
Table
| Used (breaker) | Rebuilt | VEGE Remanufactured | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Process | None | One mechanic, one engine | Industrial process, certified technicians |
| Block & heads | Unknown | Inspected | Thermal cleaned, crack-tested, machined to OEM tolerance |
| Internals | Worn | Replaced as needed | All wearable parts new |
| Testing | None | Variable | Test-bench run before dispatch |
| Warranty | None | 3–12 months | 3-year / unlimited mileage VEGE + 12-month NH in-house |
Key Features & Benefits
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Tinware installed — valve covers, timing cover, oil pan: hours saved on install day
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1987–95-correct specification — non-roller cam, 2-bolt mains, 1-piece rear seal
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Over-8,500-GVW coverage — the C3500HD, P-series and R/V trucks other codes don’t reach
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7″ balancer / 12 o’clock pointer timing cover — matched per the application guide
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VIN codes 6 / K / M — matches the under-hood label on your truck
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Test-bench proven — run and verified before it leaves the factory
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3-year / unlimited-mileage VEGE warranty + 12-month in-house NH warranty handled in Europe
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Core exchange available — return your old engine (same type, complete, crack-free) to reduce cost
Decoding the Type Code: VCB1
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V — VEGE tinware-included format code · C — Chevrolet family · B1 — the 1987–95 TBI-era truck variant (2-bolt, heavy-duty applications)
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Block castings in range: #638 / #727 / #732 / #148 / #880 / #548 [VERIFY against your unit]
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[VERIFY: VEGE publishes no official decoder — decode from the ATK/VEGE application guide; confirm against your supplier invoice]
Technical Specifications
Table
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| VEGE type code | VCB1 |
| Engine | Chevrolet 5.7L / 350 CID small-block V8 (1987–1995 TBI/carb truck spec) |
| Configuration | OHV, 16-valve, cast-iron block and heads, 2-bolt mains |
| Bore × stroke | 4.000″ × 3.480″ (101.6 × 88.4 mm) |
| Camshaft | Hydraulic flat-tappet (non-roller) |
| Rear main seal | 1-piece |
| Fuel system | TBI / carbureted (components transferred) |
| VIN codes | 6, K, M |
| GVW coverage | Over 8,500 lbs (C3500HD, P-series, R/V series) |
| Balancer/timing cover | 7″ balancer, pointer at 12 o’clock |
| Factory output | ~185–210 hp (year/fuel system dependent) [VERIFY] |
| Firing order | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 |
| Included | Block, heads, oil pump, gaskets, valve covers, timing cover, oil pan (tinware) |
| Not included | TBI intake/injector pod, exhaust manifolds, water pump, balancer, distributor module, sensors |
| Warranty | 3-year / unlimited-mileage VEGE + 12-month NH Race Engine in-house |
What Does It Fit?
1987–1995 GM (VIN 6/K/M): C/K Series trucks including C3500HD, Suburban, Blazer, Caprice, G/P/R/V-series vans and medium-duty platforms — over-8,500-GVW applications specifically. [VERIFY: the VIN code and GVW rating decide between VCB1 and VCM5 — send us your VIN and we’ll confirm.]
Condition & Pre-Delivery Inspection
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Factory process: thermal cleaning, magnetic crack-testing, OEM-tolerance machining, all-new wearable parts, test-bench run
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Our inspection on arrival in Kessel: crate integrity, external damage check, rotation confirmation, sealing caps intact
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Flat-tappet discipline: zinc-rich break-in oil and immediate rpm on first start — procedure in our installation guides
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TBI-specific: clean or renew the injector pod and fuel pressure regulator on install — a fresh engine with a lazy TBI wastes the rebuild
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Register your warranty on our warranty registration page
Recommended Companion Products
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Light-duty truck (≤8,500 GVW)? [VEGE VCM5 / VCM5RC listings] [LINK IN CMS]
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1996+ truck? [VEGE DCH4 Remanufactured Vortec 350] [LINK WHEN LIVE]
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Browse the full crate engines collection — VEGE 350 family: VC96 · VC111P · DCN7 and more [LINK IN CMS]
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Core exchange — ask about returning your old engine to lower the price
Shipping & Delivery
In-stock engines ship from Kessel within 48 hours, crated, insured and tracked. Transit: 1–3 business days in the Benelux, 3–7 days elsewhere in Europe. Freight is palletized curbside delivery. Request a quote for a delivered price including freight to your country.
Order Your VEGE VCB1 Remanufactured Engine
A test-bench-proven TBI-era 350 with tinware installed and a 3-year warranty, built an hour from our workshop. Email info@nhraceengine.nl or request a quote online — send your VIN and we’ll confirm VCB1 against the VCM5, VC96 and Vortec variants before you order.
SKU: VCB1 | MPN: VCB1 | Brand: VEGE | Category: Crate Engines > Remanufactured | Condition: Remanufactured
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