need suggestions on an engine rebuild

[solowookie]

I have a 350 I will be rebuilding, and honestly it will probably be about 10 months. however I'm kinda nutty about putting in the research before I do something well before hand, and knowing exactly what I want. this tired ole 350 is going to have to make it until then.

I'm looking for a stump puller on the cheap side. I want to stroke it with a 400 cam, and looking for suggestions on how I can put together a great engine for as little as possible.

let me rephrase this cheap part, I'm willing to spend a little more on some parts here & there if it is a great bang for the buck.

 

[pauly383]

Bang for the buck will mean you will not want to modify a factory crank to fit . That can run you right up to where a kit would of made sense .

Your going to purchase a lower end kit . Eagle has a balnced assembly I saw for under 8 bills just now on google .

Drop the block off at a machine shop for cleaning , boring , honing , and attaching the rods to the pistons .

You can clearance grind the block and oil pan rails at home for the crank to swing . You may need to grind some rod bolts for cam clearance depending on your kit and what they did for you already .

For lower end grunt , your going to need a decent set of heads , you don't need super racing heads with overkill flow numbers , just something better than stock , and heavy enough casting for no warpage ( stock vortecs being a lightweight casting are still prone to warpage , and aftermarket heads are still better than those ) . Dart makes its Iron Eagle S/S assmbled direct for $486 each . And then you need a low to mid rpm truck cam like one of the extreme 4x4 grinds . You don't need gobs of cam in a truck . You do want it to idle with a truck torque converter if you have an auto .

Also make sure the drivetrain combo is gear matched to the tires .

 

[solowookie]

gear matching for the tires is going to have to be an extra year down the road when I lift it. I will only have budget for engine.

I'll look that kit you are mentioning.

thanks for the suggestions

 

[solowookie]

I am spec'ing this engine out with 383 vs. 350. it seems to have more low end grunt, but for the cost involved I'm not sure it's the route for me.

bang for the buck is 383 really worth it?

 

[toomany]

I am spec'ing this engine out with 383 vs. 350. it seems to have more low end grunt, but for the cost involved I'm not sure it's the route for me.

bang for the buck is 383 really worth it?

If you are replacing the crank and pistons already, then go for the 383. The cost will be about the same. Even if you were only going to have the crank turned...I'd still consider it. If you're after low end power, then 383 is the right path. Bigger motors make more power eaiser.

For a good set of heads on the cheap, look into Vortec heads. They have been discussed before, if you search you should find all the info you need.

 

[solowookie]

I did vortec heads one on a vehicle, and wasn't too impressed. I kinda like the idea of doing something the the Iron Eagles...