questions about my new block...

[ocbaud]

its a mid-late 60's 350 standard bore block.

after the guy had it hot tanked, he noticed that it did not have a hole in the drivers side of the block to mount a power steering bracket, like my 305 has.

also, he said it only has 2 holes for the starter, but he could drill the 3rd one out since it's very common and he already has a template for it.

would it be better to wait and get a newer(70's-80's) 350 block? it wont cost me extra to get the bolt holes drilled and threaded on this one.


also, i was looking at upgrading to a serpentine belt system, off of a newer truck or something.

what all would i need to get, and would it fit on there?

all the brackets, a reverse flow water pump, the pullies. would i also need a new a/c compressor?


also, on the pass. side of my 305 block, down on the front of the engine, by the fuelpump area, there are 2 holes to bolt something onto. what is that for?

[Tom]

Originally posted by ocbaud
its a mid-late 60's 350 standard bore block.

after the guy had it hot tanked, he noticed that it did not have a hole in the drivers side of the block to mount a power steering bracket, like my 305 has.

also, he said it only has 2 holes for the starter, but he could drill the 3rd one out since it's very common and he already has a template for it.

would it be better to wait and get a newer(70's-80's) 350 block? it wont cost me extra to get the bolt holes drilled and threaded on this one.

Use that one. Starters only use 2 bolts anyways.

also, i was looking at upgrading to a serpentine belt system, off of a newer truck or something.

what all would i need to get, and would it fit on there?

all the brackets, a reverse flow water pump, the pullies. would i also need a new a/c compressor?

Yup, you need everything. Summit has a kit from GM for like $500.

also, on the pass. side of my 305 block, down on the front of the engine, by the fuelpump area, there are 2 holes to bolt something onto. what is that for?

Nothing. And if you don't plug one of the holes up, it can leak oil because its a blind thread into the fuel pump area.

[86SILVERADO]

The top hole is the one you need to plug.

[swervin ervin]

A mid to late 60's is a old block for sure. This thing has been around awhile. I think I would pass on it myself. Also, you won't have a passenger side dipstick either. It's a pain to check the oil from the drivers side.

[ocbaud]

anyway i can make it work to be a pass. side stick?

[TIMSPEED]

Originally posted by swervin ervin
Also, you won't have a passenger side dipstick either. It's a pain to check the oil from the drivers side.

Hmm..my 74 block is on the drivers side, and it's a breeze to check the oil.

[swervin ervin]

Nope.

[swervin ervin]

It doesn't really matter what side the dipstick is on. To me, a mid 60's block is just too dang old. No telling how many miles are on this thing or what kind of shape it's in.

Sounds to me like he's trying to pawn off some of the stuff he has laying around on someone who doesn't know any better.

[TRUCKSRUS]

dohoo.....should have done a little homework

[ocbaud]

does it matter how old it is? he's doing tons of machine work on it, to make it like new

[rage'nrat638]

Originally posted by ocbaud
does it matter how old it is? he's doing tons of machine work on it, to make it like new

yea thats the point....tons of work=tons of money

[CRRoy71]

Eric, The block I used is a late 60's block. I have not had any problems with it. The dipstick was a little easier to get to on my old 305 (which was on the pass side) but this one being on the drivers side is not that bad at all. I am not trying to talk you into it, or say that everyone else is wrong, just trying to give you some more info.

[ocbaud]

Originally posted by rage'nrat638


yea thats the point....tons of work=tons of money

i had planned on getting it all done no matter what year the block was

[bigblock73]

How much is he charging you for the block and the machine work?

If it is more than $1000 then I would just buy a GM 350 crate engine ($1200 +/-) or try and find a newer block. I cannot remember what magazine did it, but they purchased the cheapest GM 350 crate engine and added and added high performance parts to it (all bolt on), and their final number was at or near 400 ponies.

If you go the crate engine route, you could sell some of the stuff you don't need and possibly recoup some money. Just a thought.

I find it hard to believe a small block from the mid/late 60's still has its original bore. I am sure they are out there, but there also might be a reason.

On the dipstick deal...what makes it harder, because the steering/brake lines are in the way? I have only had one truck where it was on the PASS side...can't tell and doesn't make a difference to me what side it is on.