Hello all, I’ve been lurking on this forum gathering information on my 54 210 sedan I have been restoring. It has been very helpful and I appreciate the wealth of knowledge on here. Well I have just a touch (or healthy helping) of ADD. so since my car is at the interior shop at the moment a new project has caught my eye. I have an 88 s10 I’m wanting to play with, this was the intent of the 54 but it quickly turned into a show car. So anyway, I’m wanting to build an engine for the s10, and go old school with it. I’m just playing with it. I want something that will turn some rpms, 7-8 grand we’re talking. I know I can make any engine turn that just put the right parts on it. But I like different stuff, and using stuff you have. So I have a couple 283 small blocks, and a couple 350s laying around. So I had a thought, 350 block, LJ to SJ bearings, 283 crank and rods, 350 pistons, a cam for the 7000 ish rpm band, 4 speed Muncie that I have. Would i be better off building this motor because it intrigues me, or would I be better off to build the 350. I know more cubes means higher torque and hp, but for some reason the 302 interests me. What’s everyone’s opinion. From the research I have done everything should go together as I picture it, the block is an 80s 350 block, I’m thinking main studs, vortex heads modify to take about 550 lift, solid roller cam, again using parts laying around the shop and local wrecking yard. That’s half the fun for me, building something out of what you got and see what you can do. If this is something crazy, feel free to say so, just kinda want to get some ideas from other people.
No, your combination will not work, you need to do the math. A SBC has a deck height of 9.025, the rods are 5.700, the 283 crank has a 3” stroke and the 350 stroke is 3.480, the 350 piston has to be shorter because of the longer stroke. Add up half the 283 stroke-1.500 + rod length-5.700+ piston compression height- 1.800 and you get 9.000. Now do the same with a 350 piston and it is as follows- stroke- 1.500 + rod length- 5.700 + comp. height- 1.560 = 8.760. The shorter compression height of the 350 piston puts them .240 down in the hole dramatically lowering the compression ratio.
I see, this leaves me with a new predicament. Thank you for the education. Now, let’s say I got a set of 1.8 ch pistons for the 350. That fixes that issue. Would you consider building one?
They're called "302 pistons" Wonder how much effort it would take to find a 302 crankshaft also? so you don't have to mess with weird bearings.
Ignore that replay there fat fingered that one. I will see what they say about the 302 pistons. The 327 pistons from what I found on compression height would still leave me about a with of an inch below deck height, same boat. Sounds like I may either build the 283, or the 350
I have been looking into the parts, I had a brain fart and forgot about compression height, understand collecting parts does not make it a dz, just used the notation to clarify what I was thinking. I’m not looking for a factory dz, was just an idea that intrigued me and I had a slew of parts laying around. I guess now I need to figure out which way to go, 283 with strong internals, or a mid 80s roller truck block 350, decide which way I go based or pros and cons. Who knows I may just build a 350 blower motor out of it lol. All I am really looking for is a quick quarter mile time, 11-12 seconds, work my way down to 10s, sounds good with high rpm. I appreciate all the insight. There’s some real knowledge on here.
There has got to be a dozen books outlining every possible combo for the SBC. In addition, I'd guess any ******** parts place will have many or all of them memorized and ready to quote over the phone or online. That said, 'tool for the job'. You want a high revving engine to move a car. What weight, what use (0-60 tops, 0-100, long highway miles, quarter mile) what supporting parts and what budget? Think operating RPM range, if top end is the goal, it almost always comes at the cost of low end drivability. The high RPM scream is addicting, but comes with higher wear, higher fuel usage and higher parts costs, all else being equal. An oversquare combo with lightweight components will spin faster, higher. What is your pain point on maintenance? Are you willing to swap valve springs every 500 miles and check aluminum rod bearings once a month? Do you have a budget that includes having a pro shop help with selection and ***embly, plus dyno time or is this a backyard used parts, tune by ear budget build? If you have bucks and want it now, research and buy from the guys that have put in the R&D already. If you choose wisely, it will be cheaper. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtLJdOCDNAI
Least expensive way to create a 302 without an aftermarket crank is as mentioned a 327 SJ block and a 283 crank or a 1-piece rear seal 350 block and a 94 265 (4.3) crank.
I think after looking into this, based on what I have laying around parts wise it’ll either be a 283 or the 350. I am leaning towards building the 283 I think. Or I may throw dad’s 350 in the way it sits. Haven’t started on this project yet so we shall see. Who knows, may wind up getting the 454 out of the garage and throwing that in there lol
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