350 rebuild with Torque kit

[drum86]

Hiya body every!

Vehicle:
1986 K5 blazer
4x4 and stock everything
305 cid

Engine/ Engine Kit:
350 2piece rear, 4 bolt (I googled the block #'s and found that this is a 196x-197x engine.)

Chevy 350 1969-1980 Torque Kit Master Kit (northerautopartsDOTcom)
Melling torque style Camshaft
Federal Mogul stock style Lifters
Federal Mogul Hypereutectic style Pistons
Hastings stock style Piston Rings
Clevite77 style Main Bearings
Clevite 77 style Rod Bearings
Clevite 77 style Cam Bearings
Cloyes double roller style Timing Components
Melling stock style Oil Pump
Elgin brass style Frost Plugs
Sealed Power Stock style Gasket Set

I am thinking about upgrading the cams to this option..
Comps Xtreme 4x4 Series stage 2 torque Camshaft #12-231-2. HYDRAULIC: Very strong torque, smooth idle, excellent mileage, .432 int & .453 exh valve lift with 250 int & 258 exh Adv Duration

So now that all the details are out of the way, i can ask my questions. haha.
This is my first rebuild and I know very little about engines. I am relying on family, friends, and YOU for help and guidance.
I want my focus to be on torque. I don't want a torque monster. Just something I can use as a daily driver, go on trails, towing an occasional trailer, and mudding..... ya, i know. that's a lot.

Whats your opinion on this kit? I did a lot of looking online (summit racing, jegs, etc) and found this one more pleasing. Is there a better kit that will suit me better?

Thanks in advance for your time and responses!

 

[454Sub]

Make sure you use plasigauge on all the bearings to check oil clearance. Take your time, and break that cam in right, and its a pretty easy process. Nothing to be scared of.

 

[blazinzuk]

Best advice I can give you is to think of your motor as a complete system.

Yes a cam is a good upgrade but by itself only helps a little. Heads are where power ( both hp and torque) are really made.

All those little things you can do will help that cam, headers, ignition, making sure the carb is in a good if not great state of tune.

All that stuff.

Don't just stick a cam in it and say well thats good, then put on a stock ignition and 7 mm spark plug wires and an old out of tune carb.

That being said you don't have to spend a ton of money and once the engine is done you can upgrade other stuff later on.

Engine rebuilds are pretty easy when you are talking a basically stock type rebuild as you are doing, get a book and a good torque wrench and away you go.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Don't forget to add a new flexplate because the 86 is a 1 piece rear main engine and uses a different flexplate (smaller bolt circle at crank) than the 350 block that is a 2 piece rear main.

 

[drum86]

454Sub - Thanks, i will be sure to check those clearances.
blazinzuk - I will definitely keep that in mind. I was thinking of just reusing the heads and intake manifold from the 305... This prolly won't be a good idea right? How can you determine what size\type of heads to use??
4X4HIGH - Thanks!! I will do that