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Offline rcampbell

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First Chevy 350 rebuild!
« on: March 11, 2016, 09:33:59 PM »
Well, I got my first 350 Chevy engine the other day, hoping to rebuild it into a healthy V8 for some fun either in an old Chevy 4x4 or muscle car. Anyway, got a complete motor with accessories for $150! I started pulling it apart and low and behold, 4 bolt main bearings, and very solid looking bottom end! Even got two q-jet carbs that I think would be good for a street machine, plus EMP friendly! :)



« Last Edit: March 11, 2016, 09:38:24 PM by rcampbell »

Offline Flyin6

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Re: First Chevy 350 rebuild!
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2016, 10:13:21 PM »
Those motors are absolute salt of the earth tanks. An easy 400 HP motor or more. Heck just add on the Edelbrock heads/cam/intake package with some decent pistons and you're there!
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Offline husker77c

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Re: First Chevy 350 rebuild!
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2016, 10:16:41 PM »
I will have a hot rod someday with a small block.  I've wanted one since high school.  I'll be watching this one.


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Offline KensAuto

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Re: First Chevy 350 rebuild!
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2016, 10:30:59 PM »
Looks like it might have a steel crank. Cool.
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Offline TexasRedNeck

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Re: First Chevy 350 rebuild!
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2016, 10:41:52 PM »
Finally, an engine I know something about.  I built a lot of small blocks from the time I did my first swap in a 62 chevy (283 to a 307) when I was 8.  Haven't really kept up with them since the LT1 came out.

Roller cams really bring out the beast in these things.  Keep compression around 10:1 and some decent heads and you'll have a sneaky monster.
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Offline Dawg25385

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Re: First Chevy 350 rebuild!
« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2016, 12:47:11 AM »
Nothin like a screamin small block. My ole man had a 55 chev with a built 327, and a 56 with a 454... Hands down the 327 was his favorite. Big cam that would barely idle, and a BW super t10 if I remember correctly. My dads frugal so he didn't like laying rubber, but every once in awhile he'd let her have it. Talk about a making a little kids day :)


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Offline rcampbell

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Re: First Chevy 350 rebuild!
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2016, 08:23:13 AM »
My dream for this engine would be to put it in a 81-87 Chevy 4x4 or K5 blazer (maybe make it into a 383!) with a 5spd transmission and some tough axles and tires and keep it forever. Only thing is, that vintage of truck is getting hard to find in my neck of the woods, at least in a condition that would be worth restoring. Rust being the biggest challenge.

Offline Flyin6

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Re: First Chevy 350 rebuild!
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2016, 01:04:40 PM »
My dream for this engine would be to put it in a 81-87 Chevy 4x4 or K5 blazer (maybe make it into a 383!) with a 5spd transmission and some tough axles and tires and keep it forever. Only thing is, that vintage of truck is getting hard to find in my neck of the woods, at least in a condition that would be worth restoring. Rust being the biggest challenge.
383 is a good choice if you're talking about putting it into something heavier. Consider 6.0" rods as well for more torque.

I know you already have the 350, but a 400 block is killer for the heavier trucks. I believe they can be bored and stroked out to 454 cu in.
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Offline rcampbell

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Re: First Chevy 350 rebuild!
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2016, 07:44:13 AM »
I got the block stripped down enough now to measure the bores, appears to be 4.030. I figured it had been rebuilt at some point since the caps were punched with dots to indicate their position, and the oil plugs had been tapped and pipe plugs put in. I'm thinking I could just get it punched out to .040 over and go from there. I didn't check the main bearings yet, but hoping I can reuse the crank, and maybe rods.

Offline JR

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Re: First Chevy 350 rebuild!
« Reply #9 on: September 07, 2016, 01:07:58 AM »
Just found this, any updates?
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Offline rcampbell

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Re: First Chevy 350 rebuild!
« Reply #10 on: September 07, 2016, 07:56:33 PM »
Nothing lately, still debating if I should go to .040 over. I think I might be able to keep the crank and maybe the rods. Not sure what to do for heads/intake  though. Thought about maybe putting it in a jeep. Butttt, then as always I got thinking....and I figured I could get a 5.3 pretty cheap, so maybe just go with one of those? What is everyones thoughts?

Offline swbhobie16

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Re: First Chevy 350 rebuild!
« Reply #11 on: September 07, 2016, 09:25:02 PM »
I know they go in a scout quite nicely. and the one that's wrapped up (Orange 1978) is pushing 345 to the tires on dyno tune. And it cranks and runs just like a brand new Chevy truck.. 100* or 20* outside

Offline JR

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Re: First Chevy 350 rebuild!
« Reply #12 on: September 07, 2016, 09:34:15 PM »
Well, I would do  the cheapest, but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

You have the 350. Going 60 over is no big deal if you check core shift.

The 5.3 is so easy, bolt into where any 350 will but sometimes needs a pan (my elky does)

If you go to EFI, you will never look back. But if it goes on the trail. You can't okie like a carb.
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Offline TexasRedNeck

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Kids today don't know how easy they have it. When I was young, I had to walk 9 feet through shag carpet to change the TV channel.

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