I'm looking to put a new drive train in my 63 c10. I have a rebuilt sbc 350. But would like to get more power out of it. I'm not looking to make crazy power but something with some umf! I've been trying to do research because I was thinking of going 383. But not really wanting to go into all the machining and what not. I have a line on some 186 heads for 100$ not sure what shape as I havnt seen in person. But recently read it's just better to go with vortec heads?! I'm lost anyone got any simple advice?
From my limited knowledge, for what you want, I would look at a cam, headers, new intake and carb. That should make a real nice driver with some *****. And not a lot of money either.... be sure to check out your rear end ratio compared to the gearing you have also...can make a big difference.... Good luck...
Have you priced a new crate engine. They run around $1600 and that's 290 hp with corvette cast headers and a torker intake. Top it off with a quadrajet and you might get 17 mpg..
What do you want to do with this engine? 350 with hypereutectic pistons moly rings, vortec heads, cast crank, std volume oil pump and double roller timing chain, cam about 465 lift is a solid street engine. You can run a stock converter and any gear you want. vortec modified for lift with new springs will allow you to run up to 500 lift if you can use it. Need about 2500 stall and a decent gear, 3.55 or 3.73 aftermarket vortec with larger runners will let you use the push the rpm to 6500 or so, I suggest forged pistons, steel crank, balanced ***y at that point. 3500 stall and 4.11 to 4.30 gear. see the common trend - vortecs. do you want a cruiser or street strip car?
How about the Edelbrock Performer package, cam, lifters, manifold, and an Edelbrock 600 cfm carb. They've taken all the guess work out of mixing and matching all these various pieces - you'll wind up with about 300 hp and still get good mileage.
How much is your budget? There's an old saying from my Speed Shop days " Speed costs money,how fast do you want to go"
There are an almost infinite amount of options for a sbc build. What kind of rebuilt 350 do you have? Do you know what your compression ratio is now, or what heads you have now? You may have a solid base to just throw some new parts on. If you are gonna build an engine to swap in, a great way to build your first is to buy the 290hp crate shortblock, and throw some scoggins-****ey modified vortecs on along with an aluminum intake and mild cam of your choice. Compared to your rebuilt 350 it will feel more powerful and fun.
I'm looking to make the truck into a bike hauler. And some I can cruise around town. So having some decent torque would be nice. I havnt worked out a budget because it's kind of a build as you go type thing. The motor I believe was rebuilt to stock , it's a Canadian block out of a truck I belive it's a 78. I was gonna but a 10 bolt with 3.73 gears or something to that degree. Just looking for something that will pick up 2 Harleys and be able to drive with out working to hard. And something to rip around town in, thank you everyone I really appreciate the help!!! I'm trying to avoid getting a crate motor cuz I already have one, so why not use it?
Vortec heads are sweet. I run unmodified Vortecs on a 355 with hypereutectic pistons, Comp Xtreme Energy 256 cam, Edelbrock Air-Gap intake, and Edelbrock 600cfm electric choke in a 3000lb vehicle with TH350 and 3.42 rearend. It runs 8.7s in the 1/8th mile and gets around 23 MPG on the highway
Well if your engine is a relatively fresh rebuild from someplace reputable, then it will be a decent base. All rebuilds aren't done equal though, so it's worth taking a close look at the bottom end before spending to much money. I know it's a minor thing, but crate engines, and rebuilds are not the same thing. The GM 290hp, zz3, all that lot are new engines. Many parts stores and dealerships also sell rebuilt engines, but the Mexican rebuild 350's have been discussed at length on here and elsewhere. It seems like a minor difference in terminology, but realistically it helps to know what you have and if it's worth spending a ton of money's on.
I don't know what heads you are running now so I can't say if any stock head swap is going to help. I do know that the big deal for cheap heada around here was to plop a pair of 305 HP heads on one. That said from a stockish 350 with fair to good compression the cheapest and easiest is a cam swap to an L-79 cam. Good idle (mild lope) characteristics, good wide power band. In a stock 350 it should perform well from right off idle to about 5K. Single 4 about 600 cfm vac secondary. Weiand stealth inrake or edelbrock performer. Good ignition, I like the Mallory unilite but others will suggest petronix. Do Not use a stock factory HEI.
The guy that rebuilt it .is a friend of mine and he's been doing it for 30 some odd years. I know that doesn't always mean it's okay but I'll definitely take a look! I should probably see what stock heads I have aha that's a good idea. I'm sure they're just the stock truck heads. Upon running the codes on the block it says it came out of a bus or truck at 165 hp
Food for thought going with a stroker crank alone with out all the other stuff will net you about 90 lb ft of torque.
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