Thread: 350 build options

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Hey All,

Just came back from my buddy's fathers' shop (hasn't been used in about 12-14 years. He was cleaning it out, and I found a SB 350 in the back that he says was rebuilt about 12 years ago and has sat there since. A diamond in the rough!
This will be my first engine work, besides some easier stuff I've done to my 454.
I don't know what I'm going to put it into (the plan is a full on streetrod custom). Is there a standard set-up to begin my work with? The options seem limitless.
I'm even thinking about the 383 option.. any advice?

Sorry I didn't get the numbers before I left the shop, but I'll be picking it up this weekend.

Thanks in advance for the input!

I've also checked out the post " need some help on my 350 chevy build " lots of Great advice but seems to go back to : "what are you gonna put it in?"
Just wondering if there is a safe set of things I can get done before I know the answer to that questioin..
Thanks!

So, are you planning to run the motor as is, or will you tear into it to see what's there?

I'm not afraid to get my knuckles bloody , but I'm a little hesitant to make early mistakes that I later come to regret. I'm looking for a good combo of horsepower and torque that won't kill my wallet. (considering I'm getting the engine for free, I'm way ahead of the game)

Well, bolt it to an engine stand and get your tools out. The cylinder head casting numbers are cast into the head under the valve covers. Give us those numbers and let's see what you have for heads.

Just picked up a stand today, and when I get the numbers I'll post them..
Thanks for the interest in helping a semi-newbie out!

yup, lets see what heads you have..... too bad we dont know if it was a stocker rebuild or if it was a performance rebuild.... at least then you'd know something other than castings on the block and heads.....

Well, even if he tears it down completely, all it'll take is new gaskets to screw it back together if all the gurus on this board put their blessing on the combination.

This may help you with what various combinations will do. The cam may be the heart of the engine, but the heads are its lungs. The combination of the two make your power. My 383 is based on Combination #15.

http://www.ryanscarpage.50megs.com/combos1.html

From what I've been told the rebuild was done by a votech school
So it was probably a stock rebuild . (If it was done right at all..)
Thanks Rumrumm that is just what I wanted to check out, when I've got more info I'll post it.

By the way Techinspector1 - I'm gonna order 2 sets of gaskets just incase they change thier minds...

Hey guys, got the engine this weekend in the snowstorm (that was fun...) Here's what I've got.. cast # 3970014 K17/72 ( 350 SB madnufactured in Canada 1972) The #'s on the cylinder head are 898893 (best I can determine, there is alot of grime in there) the heads seem to be stock, but I can't find any info on them.. anyone have a way of finding the stock HP and Torque of this engine? Thanks!

350 5.7 71-77 H/J/K/L/V V8 OHV; Carb left hand dipstick; 6 bolt exhaust manifold; tapered seat type spark plugs 3932388 3970010 3970014 3914678 140163379 1182 2690 3932442 310514 3973487 333882 3998993 3986339 3998991
This is the latest info I found after some research any opinions on how to go foward?