Engine Rebuild
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Flanders NJ
I got a pretty much complete 350 from a older chevy truck for $50. It was using oil so I figured that it has some bad rings and I could just have it honed. My question is, can I re-use the pistions with some new rings on them? The have quite a bit of carbon buildup on top. I plan to use a set of heads I have laying around along with a mild but better than stock cam and a holley 650. Also about the cam what would a run of the mill chevy cam be rated at for lift and duration?
Also: any significant decking of the block will change the geometry between the heads and intake as a shaving of the heads?
Good l;uck...joe
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 0
From: Inver Grove Minnesota
[QUOTE]Did you put your converter in.[QUOTE]
Yup, I got the trans all back together and on the car now I am waiting for the rear end with will be here on Wednesday.
I decided to go with some new flat tops. I was looking at everything closer and the crank is going to need to be shaved it has noticable wear. So that will be $110. The cylinders will be fine they just need to be honed. I'm getting all new bearings for the rods, crank and cam. All together it is going to be about $500.
Yup, I got the trans all back together and on the car now I am waiting for the rear end with will be here on Wednesday.
Be careful with used pistons. I thought I saw a mention of some gouges and scratches. These will create hot-spots on the head of the piston and give you pre-ignition problems.
Also: any significant decking of the block will change the geometry between the heads and intake as a shaving of the heads?
Good l;uck...joe
Also: any significant decking of the block will change the geometry between the heads and intake as a shaving of the heads?
Good l;uck...joe
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
I am not sure what casting number heads you have, but I'm sure they don't flow particularly well if they were a truck head. The restriction is not so much the 76cc combustion chamber as it is the runner size and shape. You can buy great flowing 76cc heads (I believe AFR's come in 76cc).
The exhaust and intake manifold would also be restrictions. You have to be able to get the good air in and the bad air out. The L82 used an aluminum intake, rather than the stock iron intake.
If you used that cam with a good set of heads and an aluminum intake, that would be a fairly good street engine.
The exhaust and intake manifold would also be restrictions. You have to be able to get the good air in and the bad air out. The L82 used an aluminum intake, rather than the stock iron intake.
If you used that cam with a good set of heads and an aluminum intake, that would be a fairly good street engine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
If it ain't too late ? ...
Spending $110 on crank grind & then more $ on pistons & more $ on cam.
Suggest for about $250 above what you'd spend on crank grind & replacement pistons ... you could have an inexpensive stroker crank & stroker pistons... 383 ci. anytime on ebay 383 cranks are about $150-$200 & 383 pistons about $160-$180.
Spending $110 on crank grind & then more $ on pistons & more $ on cam.
Suggest for about $250 above what you'd spend on crank grind & replacement pistons ... you could have an inexpensive stroker crank & stroker pistons... 383 ci. anytime on ebay 383 cranks are about $150-$200 & 383 pistons about $160-$180.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
The current GM crate engines that have the 76cc heads come in the 260hp and 290hp variety. The difference is the cam. The 260 has a cam that is similar to the L48 and the 290hp has a cam that is similar to the L82.
I agree with Jackson that if you are going to have to do any machine work whatsoever to the crank, just buy a new cast 383 crank because you are going to buy new pistons anyway. The 383 will give you more torque down low.
I agree with Jackson that if you are going to have to do any machine work whatsoever to the crank, just buy a new cast 383 crank because you are going to buy new pistons anyway. The 383 will give you more torque down low.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
Technically, the 383 is bored .030 over to a 4.030 bore with a 3.75 stroke. Mine is going to be a 385 because it is bored .040 over.
If it is getting machine work done already, it shouldn't cost much more to have it bored. I had mine bored with the torque plate and it was right around $200.00. If you are having it honed, some of the material is being removed from the cylinders already. You could search for pistons that are standard bore or less than .030, but they are not as common.
If it is getting machine work done already, it shouldn't cost much more to have it bored. I had mine bored with the torque plate and it was right around $200.00. If you are having it honed, some of the material is being removed from the cylinders already. You could search for pistons that are standard bore or less than .030, but they are not as common.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
If it only has 20k miles, it should clean up at .040.
Little Mouse is right. You do have to do some clearancing of the block in a few spots to accomodate the larger stroke crank. I was starting on mine when I noticed that I received the wrong crank.
That's a whole different thread though.
If you want some information on clearancing, there is tons of detailed info on here if you do a search. I found that a $15 die grinder from Harbor Freight, hooked up to an air compressor works great.
Little Mouse is right. You do have to do some clearancing of the block in a few spots to accomodate the larger stroke crank. I was starting on mine when I noticed that I received the wrong crank.
That's a whole different thread though.If you want some information on clearancing, there is tons of detailed info on here if you do a search. I found that a $15 die grinder from Harbor Freight, hooked up to an air compressor works great.