Thread: Questions on building a 350????

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I have rebuilt several 350 engine stock, so I am not dumbfounded on the basics. I have a 1980 chevy pick-up weight about 4000lbs. I want to build my 350 so its still practical to drive on the streets but can still go play at the track on the weekends. I was looking into strokeing it but people say you are constantlly rebuilding them. Anybody have any good cominations from top to bottom they could help me out with.

^^^^^^^^^^

My 383 is based on Combo #15, and I can tell you that with the torque it makes, it would make your 4000 lb. pickup scream. I have it in a '32 Ford Coupe, and it is an awesome combination. You would like it because it idles at 800 rpm and has good street manners with a 2500 stall converter.

That is a beutiful car and thanks for the info.

Thanks, Dave. I wish I could give you a ride.

Lynn, that's great power from a conservative SBC, your Deuce has to be a blast to ride in. Have you checked the MPG? Just curious.

Mike

Since I have a 700R4 tranny and 3.89 rear gears, I can get 20 mpg on the highway if I drive it gingerly (which is not easy). At 70 mph I am turning only 2200 rpm so on the interstate so I can keep up with traffic and get pretty good mileage. I have never bothered to check it around town.

Lynn, thanks for the info. With so much torque available, do you think a rear ratio of around 3.50 with the 700R4 would be a good combo?

Mike

A lot of people run 3.50 gears in street rods. Just figure out your rpm at speed with the type of transmission you are running, the diameter of the rear tires, and the cam manufacturer's recommended rpm operating range. CompCams recommends it's Magnum 280's operating range from 2000-6000 rpm, so I planned accordingly. In town, I never use overdrive. But with the low rear gears, it works great in drive. The engine does not like running under 1500 rpm, but the tranny usually shifts down to compensate. If I had the extra money when I was building the engine, I probably would have gone with a Magnum 280 hydraulic roller and a rev kit. But I figured that was simply overkill and I could do without it.

If I ever make over to your side of town I will give you a buzz and get a ride in that beauty.

Will that combo 16 hold up to a shot of nitrous.

I'd be glad to take you for a spin. As for nitrous, it should be fine as it has forged pistons.

Thanks for the help.