This will be a 57' BelAir project, 4-speed with overdrive or Tremek 5 speed. I have am***ed the following: A 57' 283, never opened from orig. owner with 70k on it, ran but smoked some when removed, 57' fuelie heads, 461 camel humpers, #3973487 heads (might be 1st. gen. LT1) a complete 350", suffix T0405CMJ (police,T400, 4bbl), a 67' 327"(suffix TI003HC=275 hp) with no heads, a #3892657 block only ( 67' 302" Camaro Z28, 67' 350" Camaro or 67' 327" Camaro)-decked with no suffix code. I also have a complete 86' TPI with all the new after market stuff (computer, ignition, etc.). My goal is street but resonable fuel mileage and I want hydrolic lifters. Could I adapt the newer roller lifters into this and build kinda a screamin 302"? WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Any input would be very appreciated! Thank You All! Chuck
According to "Chevrolet Small Block I.D. Guide" by Pierre Lafontaine, the empty block 3892657 is listed as '67 302 and '62-'67 327. The '67 350 and all subsequent 350's were large journal, and did not share castings. The idea of using hydraulic lifters in a 302, even if they are roller, goes against my sensibilities. The one thing that allowed a 302 to scream(in addition to an great rod length to stroke ratio) was the solid lifter cam. I'd like to see a hydraulic that can rev past 7500(or 7000 for that matter). An otherwise factory stock 302 but with headers and the second design off-road cam would spin 8500, and I'm talking shift points, and in a totally tractable street car. There's nothing that sounds better than that!
I always wanted to build a 302 powered 55 or 57.. only issue was pistons, as the only ones I've ever been able to source are like 11:1- which doesn't seem very practical. ...and i'm way too cheap to look into what customs ones would cost
I had a bad*** 57 convert I built in the late 70's, with a screaming 302. you definately need either solids, or solid rollers in that engine to take advantage of the RPM potential. You also need a LOT of gear. It's a heavy car for that small engine to get launching. I had 4.88's in mine, with a Muncie. It was good enough to get it rolling, but a ***** on the highway. Mileage was so poor it didn't matter, don't even consider it. A torque-y engine is more efficient in regular driving, and will get you better mileage, and still give you nice "pull". There, the 327, or a 350 will do better.
Dearest UNCLEE, agawam, Izaak M and chopolds, Thanks for the input. It really helps. I'm starting to lean toward the 327 ,though, because of lack of low end torque on such a heavy car and the complication$ of overcoming that problem by being forced into remaining power-train antics. There's a point when the amount of money spent on perfection breeds contempt for me and I don't want that in this car. I love it too much. Think I'll spend all that extra money on gas, just enjoying the small valve camel humpers, a Muncie and a nice 4bbl.
Build you a 383 stroker out of that 350. I have one and man is it great! Perfect for your heavy car. They put out lots of low end torque. You can get a reasonable kit from ****. Think its around 800 in northern autoparts. Comes with practicly everything but the machine work which only cost me an extra 75 bucks over building a 350. You'll be amazed and no one will no the difference except you if your wanting it to appear old school.
chevyshack, Wow, I didn't know I could get into a 383" stroker for that money! If I go that way I may go ahead with my TPI system. Would you go with a 700R4? I've also got a 9" Ford.
I running a 350 turbo right now. Would like to switch to over-drive eventually. So if your going to run a TPI you might as well go for the full monty and run a 700-R4. If you want to spend the bucks You could buy a gear vendor. Its like having an extra transmission. It bolts onto the back of your ******. Splits every gear. If you have a 3 speed it will make it a 6 speed. 4 speed becomes 8.
Build teh 327 to rev and run a Tremec 5 speed. 3.73 gears in the back with the Tremec will get you out of hte whole quickly. Throw the TPI in the s**** pile. Just my .02. Shane T.
A 350 will always give you the best 'bang for the buck'...it's THE cheapest V8 to build, and it walks a sensible line between small block and big block displacement. They can be built as torquey truck motors, or high-revving screamers and everything in between. Sell off those other engines and build a strong running 350...you won't regret it, and you can tell people it's a 327, 302 or whatever!
THANKS TO ALL FOR THE VERY HELPFUL INPUT! If I build the 327" all old school look, what are your suggestions on 3-2bbls and 4-speeds? Should I use my 9" Ford or will my Positraction do? Anyone know anything about that guy down in Florida building "new design" Muncies with overdrive? Thanks
Year One has a 383 stroker complete ready to run 400+ HP & 400 Ft LBS of torque for under $4000 ! Now why **** around with that other **** !
When I was young if you had a black '57 BelAir with a 270 horse 283 and a Corvete 4 speed you were king of El Camino. Dual Quads and Corvete valve covers. if it's bigger inside, so much the better.
I'M SO GRATEFUL TO ALL THE INPUT! I've decided not to go for a 302" screamer because of the Belair's weight. I'll save that for my 37' coupe. I'll go with either my 57' 283" or 67' 327" for 60's look. What would your suggestions be for a 3-2bbl progressive setup, heads (I have 57' fuelies, 461 humpers and can get power packs) and cam? I'd like to use hydraulics if possible. Should I stay with my Positraction or use my 9" Ford? I'll probably go with a Muncie with overdrive If I can find out more about that guy down in Florida who builds them. Anyone know about his product? If not, I'LL go with a Tremek 5-SPEED.
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