Building a 350

[Smokin86]

Hey everyone. I'm a newbie here. I am trying to decide how to build a 350 for my truck. My tentative plans are as follows:

Rebuilt stock 350 shortblock except better pistons.
Vortec heads with upgraded springs (probably from Scoggin Dickey)
Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake
Stock GM HEI Distributor
Edelbrock 1904 Carb
Comp XE268H cam
1.5 or 1.6 rockers
Hedman Ellite Headers 1 5/8" primaries w/3" collectors

What do you guys think? I know I have left things out. That is why i am asking you guys.

I want at or near 400hp/tq with pump gas. I need some serious advice on what piston to use and 1.5 vs 1.6 rockers.

Thanks

[bpmcgee]

Smokin,

When I was putting vortec heads on my 350, I did some calculation and figured out that I'd be really high compression ratio for pump gas if I used the stock pistons.

They say that vortecs are more resistant to detination because of their design, but I would still imagine that flat-top pistons with those tiny 65cc chambers might boost you up into the premium range.

Brian

[bpmcgee]

Oh,

Something else to consider -- if you have the bucks, going with a roller cam will REALLY boost your performance.

Brian

[Smokin86]

thanks brian

I thought about a roller cam, but I'm a poor college student. I don't have a ton of money. I have saved up money to build a 350, but I only have so much.

Premium isn't that big of a deal to me. I'd prefer not, but if I have to, oh well.

Joseph

[Tom]

Pistons- get 10:1 with 64cc head pistons and you'll be in 91octane range. You can do 9.5:1 on 87 octane with enough cam and the right timing. Id go with some slightly dished pistons and aim for the 9.5:1 compression.

headers- get 2.5" collectors, not 3". Primarys are good size.

Edelbrock 1904 carb- overpriced. Either rebuild a Qjet or get a 650cfm holley/demon carb.

Ignition- your going to want to upgrade the Hei a little bit. I personally like the super HEI kit from MSD, blaster 2 coil and 6a box for about $200.

With the comp XE268 and vortec heads you'll want 1.5 rockers. 1.6 will require the valve guides to be cut down and the pushrod slot to be opened up.

Lastly, the shortblock. Don't skimp here. Get the blocked bored WITH A TORQUE PLATE. Get ARP rod bolts [trust us, these a more then worth it] and the rods re-sized with these ARP bolts. Also ARP makes some great inexspencive head bolts.

[Smokin86]

tom

Would it be better to just buy a MSD Pro Billet HEI Distributor. With the cost of a stock HEI distributor and the upgrades you recommend, it is cheaper to buy the MSD distributor. Would it need to be upgraded too?

I am willing to use flat top pistons, 10:1, and 92 octane if it is worth it. How much do you think the power would increase by?

I hate to ask this, but I just want to know. What kind of gas mileage do you think i could get. I am willing to change my rearrend ratio. It is the stock one. Believe it to be 2.10:1. Not sure

joseph

[ocbaud]

you probably have 2.73 gears stock

[1FaastC10]

i believe there are several guys running 9.6:1 and an XE268. seems to be a pretty good combination. if i remember correctly, it should run fine on 87 octane.it might however be a little hot for your truck if you have stock 2.73-3.08 gears and a non-OD trans.

[Smokin86]

i have a 700R4. It went to royal crap about a month ago. Truck has sat lonely for a while. Tranny is being rebuilt with shift kit and a torque convertor from a vette. I think it is 2000 or 2200 rpm.

I am pretty sure the rearrend is 2.10. I will double check though.

[Tom]

There was never a 2.10 rear, so be assured you don't have one

I prefere the GM hei with MSD stuff setup myself, but the MSD distributor will make the engine bay less clutterd up.

[CRRoy71]

Smokin86, I have the MSD Pro-billet. Absolutely no dis-appointments there!

Also, do you already have the short block? If not, have you thought about going with a 383?

[Smokin86]

CRroy71

i don't have the shortblock yet. A friend of mine was selling a complete 350 motor out of a 84 pickup. I was gonna buy the shortblock and go to a machine shop to have it worked over. I thought about a 383, but i need to have remotely decent gas mileage. Everybody has told me that a 383 will give me total crap mileage. Also, building a 383 introduces a lot more questions that I can't answer.

I'll probably end up buying the MSD distributor. I like it

thanks for your comments everybody. Keep em comin

[Smokin86]

hey CRroy71

I went to your website. nice motor. I really like the valve covers and timing chain cover. I will probably get similar ones for my truck. How much do you think you've spent on that motor? It might be a better buy for what i want. Thanks

joseph

[CRRoy71]

I have not totalled it up in a while, but last time I was at 4200.00. I would say I am not much over that right now.

Thanks,
Chris

[swervin ervin]

Hey Joesph, I see you made it. I told you these guys are great, didn't I?

On the MSD Pro Billet HEI, here is another vote for it. That thing is a work of art. Trouble with a stock GM HEI is finding a good one. Most you see in junkyards are there for a good reason, junk. They will most likely need rebuilding. By the time you upgrade the coil and internals, you don't like much being able to get the Pro Billet. There are plenty of ways you can go on ignition. I have the Pro Billet HEI with a 6AL box and Blaster 2 coil. This was an after thought. If at the time I bought the Pro Billet HEI I had known I was going to go with the 6AL, I would have bought a MSD non HEI unit. But hindsight is 20/20, right?

Anyway, glad you decided to join us truck nuts.

[Smokin86]

hey guys

A friend of mine is selling a complete 350 out of a 84 chevy PU. This is the motor i plan to rebuild. The sale would include exhaust and intake manifold, carb, and distributor. The guy was gonna sell it to me for 400 bucks.

Since I am planning on only using his shortblock, what price should I offer. 400 bucks for a 4 bolt shortblock is a rip.

Hey mike, glad to hear from you. You were right about the people here.

Joseph

[lukecp]

I don't think i would pay more than $200 for a shortblock that needs rebuilding....