Well I still don't have my 350 running but my calibration is a memory of my Dad's '68 Chevelle with a 350. The accelerator cable must have had a very weak spring because that thing was downright scary in stock form because just a light foot on it would give wheel spin and wild acceleration. Relative to my older 59A/B or even other 283s that 350 was enough for me. I have tried to build my 350 as just slightly hotter than stock with the 300 HP cam, 1.6 ratio rockers and headers with the idea that I if I can get the response of the old Chevelle with the low gear in a 700R4 and a Model A body it ought to be enough for a man my age and the 4th OD gear should give me reasonable mileage with a 3.55 rear. To put it into perspective with my memory bank a stock 283 was a bit better than the 59A/B all around but that '68 350 was over the top by leaps and bounds compared to the 283. I looked enviously at the 383 but decided maybe a 350 has enough torque for my 8" rear while maybe the rear wouldn't last long with the 383. Clearances? What about these short block 383s you can buy? Do they use a reduced diameter cam or just take the chance the rod bolts can be ground down? At my age I will be glad to get the 350 to run, but you know they are cheap NOW, but I'll bet in 10 years they will be "classics"!

Denny have I missed a 283/350 feud in the last year?

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder