Thread: what does my 350 need?

Tweet

I'm back fellas! Probally don't remember....anyway.
I got a 1979 Camaro with a 350 crate engine i it. I'm not sure how old it, but I'm in the process of tearing it down. I want to replace the cam, crank, pistons lifters, rods, ignition, distributor, and coil.
Problem is that I don't know what combonation to use for the best results. I'm not sure of what distibutor is compatable with what cam, and stuff like that.
The engine is pretty stock except for the edelbrock RPM intake and the 750 cfm Carter Comp. carb.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to break any records with the car, but I would like it to have a little lop to it whens it runs. Hopefully I can find a better car to put it in later down the road.

since you dont know what you need...what makes you think you need to replace all the stuff you listed ?
why do you think you need to replace the crank ? the pistons ? the distributer ? the rods ? etc.
My suggestion to you would be to get to know somebody reputable to help you more localy rather than getting advice about EVERYTHING in here.

I agree with stepside. Find out what you have first, then start looking at options. Most of the crate motors come with pretty good bottom ends, if your's is so worn out that it needs everything replaced, you might be better off getting a new crate motor.

Pat

Gee, thanks for all the great advice there fellas!
First of all, there is nothing really wrong with the rolling assembly or the bottom end, just wanted to feed a little speed to my car....
Second, I was just looking for a little direction. I'm going to replace the stuff anyway, just for the learning experience. But I'm still new to it all so I was just asking for a little help. Anybody can go buy a new crate, I want to know how it all goes together! Besides, I've 6 kids, I can't afford to just go buy 450 hp at once!
Ed

rolling assembly ?
why are you replacing the stuff anyway ?

Ed,

I was only suggesting a crate if everything in your motor was totally trashed. I had that impression since you indicated you wanted to replace most of the major components of your motor. Generally things like cranks and rods can be re-used after some clean-up machining.

I am a firm believer in using proven combinations. In my opinion the best people to ask about those are companies like Edelbrock or CompCams that have spent many hours of Dyno and engine building time to develop combinations that work well together and live. My advice to you is to contact a couple of those companies and tell them what you have and how you plan to use it. Be very honest with them about your budget, timeframe and planned use of the car. They can make suggestions for pistons. cam, ignition etc that will work for you. They are in much better position to make recommendations than most of us are.

Good luck with your project, keep us posted and how about some pictures of your ride?

Pat

eboy

the 350 in my 57 has 4500 miles on it to make your engine like mine or close add hyperutektic pistons 9to1 and a mild crane
street cam i use a 600cfm manual choke edlebrock and a
edlebrock performer manifold with 57 ram horn exhaust
manifolds (get the engine balanced 190 bucks this is the best
thing in my opinion,it runs super smooth and revs faster)
this combination puts out 240 hp+ some people would claim
more but i wont exagerate. also lots of tork.

Excellent suggestions Charlie,

Sometimes we get caught up in the exciting idea of building a hot motor. I think most of us have been on tight budgets for our hot rods at one time or another so it's a great idea to make sure we are getting all we can from what we have.

Some of the other relatively low cost things to try are recurving the the distributor advance. Fine tuning the fuel jetting, low restriction air cleaners and exhaust, and fine tuning the suspension for maximum traction.

Pat

WOW 6 youngin's! whare do you put'em all in your camaro, it's gotta be tight and crampy inside. (LOL)