I am looking to rebuild 350 small block engine this winter, I know I can by a crate engine instead. However I want to get my hands dirty just like when I was a teenager. I am looking for advice on where to start. I know I want the following:

4 bolt block
9 to 1 - 10 to 1 compression ratio

I just want to build an engine with a budget of $ 2000 to $ 2500

Bill

 

Hello,

Anybody have an opinion ??????

Bill

 

What kind of numbers are you looking for? There are a lot of variables involved. Also, remember that once your engine is out, you'll want to paint this and that. You'll want to rebuild your tranny. You'll want to replace this, replace that... It would be worth it for me to save up for another year and spend $5,000 instead of half that.

 

I agree with the above post.....to a point. Dont wait another year if ya got the money now. Y ou can always do more next winter, IF ya have more money, and that can be a big IF. Something similar to my Sig. is rather a common place to start, and certainly not the only selections in cam, intake, & exhaust systems that can be made. Do think if you were a bit more precise in what you wanted (street motor, street/strip, etc) more folks would chime in and give you recommendations. Mine is a street motor, as the cam is all in by 5,000 RPM. Hang in here and Good Luck. :D

 

How's it going? there are persons out there. more replies will come. Do you already have a 4 bolt block? In my humble opinoion here is what I think will make a stout engine. Block: 2 bolt is fine, can handle up to 300+hp, 4 bolt is better. Crank: forged steel is stronger than cast. Pistons: forged pistons are best. You can decide on flattop (9.00:1-9.5:1), or domed (10.00:1) keep in mind you want your engine to run on pump gas. If you feel forged pistons are a bit expensive (they are) hypereutectic pistons are the next best. Intake: Aluminum dual plane manifold-there are several good brands out there Camshaft: too many choices to mention. Carb: there are several good carbs but be careful with your selection...do not fall to the myth the bigger the carb the better. For sbc 600-750cfm, bbc 800-850cfm is fine. Heads: I perfer cast iron to aluminum because of the rate of expansion between metals (block/heads.) Aluminum though lighter than caast iron is prone to warpage and cracking. Should you choose aluminum heads keep in mind that when changing spark plugs wait for the heads to cool before doing so. You mentioned 9.1 to 10.1 cr. If you use flattop postons with 64cc heads you will get somewhere around 9.5:1, domed pistons about 10.25:1 cr. I hope I didnt ramble and I hope I was of some help. Keep me posted on the progress of your project. :cheers:

 

Thanks for the advice.

I want to build the engine for another car, so numbers matching is not an issue. So I guess I am looking for a 4 bolt truck block that has not been bored and a good crank. As far as heads go I have heard alot good things about cast iron Vortec Heads. I have am happy with Edelbrock products so the mainifold and carb are easy. Can anyone recommend an engine rebuild kit, I see Summit has some kits.

Bill

 

Bill, I just went through this.

I started off by wanting to do a cheap re-ring on my engine. So back in late April, I pulled the engine and disassembled it. What I found was a lot of crap. So I took it to the machine shop and had it inspected. The block was fine. I had them clean it and supplied some pistons so they could bore it out to each individual piston. Then I bought some more parts, looked at the receipts I was accumulating, and decided there was no way in hell I'd trust that investment to a wrench turned by my hand.

My builder will not go half way. If he's building it, everything needs to be perfect. To that end, my crank ended up needing to be turned and most of my rods needed to be restored. Of course, with all that, I decided a nice balance of the rotating assembly would be nice. And on, and on, and on.

After $1300 of machine and assembly work alone, I'm glad I did it. But I feel somewhat removed from the process (beyond forking over the jack).

So my advice is this: It's great to get your hands dirty. But try to pick a plan and stick to it. The slope is slippery and expensive. And a crate engine is a good way to go. Looking back, I may have chosen that route, if I had to do it again.

But, I have two small blocks in my garage, and two cars (my Z's) in storage, either of which would be really cool with a small block. So maybe I'll do it yet.

Good luck with yours! :cheers:

 

I think its important that you decide up front what kind of power you want to produce, how streetable you want it to be, etc. Then you can talk about specifics much better. There is a program out there called desktop dyno (you may have heard of it), get it from someone one the forum and play around with it to give yourself a good idea of what you can "expect". (The program is not 100% accurate so don't expect that.)
:seeya