johnbhm

iTrader: (1)

So we just bought an L-83 from Petris Enterprises(Scottsboro, AL).

It was sold as a med-low mile engine(117k miles) in good shape with no accessories. When we got there he threw in a quadrajet, reman water pump, dist and will, when we get back down there, give us all the brackets and an alternator.

He said it was completely stock and possibly rebuilt. It seems like both are true.

We opened it up, and right off the bat, under the intake looked extremely clean. No sludge buildup any where. We then went to pull of a head. We're probably going to replace them if the budget allows. It has the crack prone 624 heads.

Under the head also looks very clean. Very very slight ridge at the top of the cylinders, looks to have had a recent hone. There are circular marks down every cylinder with no vertical lines.

Will post pics soon.


All in all, I'd 100% recommend buying from them if you're looking at something they're selling. Very pleasant experience.



-mattbhm

johnbhm

iTrader: (1)

Been gone for a few days, I'll get pics up soon.

One thing we're having a hard time deciding on is heads. Either just buying new gaskets and using the original heads(just for now) or just getting a set of Vortecs or something. Problem is, even at $500, that's A LOT right now. Not to mention an intake(Edelbrock Performer RPM?), Cam, Headers, etc. Now it does have an old Streetmaster Intake so we'll probably be replacing that if we go Vortec or not. We're going Quadrajet meaning for the RPM we'd need an adapter which I've heard can mean hood clearence issues.


Just head wise, are rebuilt vortecs the cheapest safe way to go?


Thanks!


-mattbhm

8t2 z-chev

since you are on a skimpy budget,i would just reinstall the '624s,reuse the intake manifold from your 305,(you can also reuse the quadrajet from the 305 if it is rejetted and properly tuned for the 350)and spend any extra funds on exhaust improvements.When I had my crossfire injection off for modification,i just clapped on a quadrajet and stock intake manifold and it ran good and decently strong that way Beware vortec heads are also known for cracking...but do have a smaller chamber and more modern chamber design.Also,IIRC,requires a vortec specific intake manifold.

johnbhm

iTrader: (1)

Would the 305 intake flow better than the 70's Edelbrock Streetmaster that's on it? For a Quadrajet, he threw in a quadrajet with the L83 that should already be ready for a 350 . Besides needing a tune. And possibly a rebuild.


I should say, this L83 is converted to carb.


I'm thinking about just putting the 624's back on and getting high performance heads in the future, but it require new head gaskets each time so that's already an extra $70 just for waiting.


-mattbhm

8t2 z-chev

I don't know anything about the old streetmaster intake,but stock manifold will flow plenty well for mild street use up to ~5500 rpm and the stocker likely has better more even mixture distribution,etc.If you put the '624s or any other used stock head on,check that they are decently flat-used chevy heads are usually warped to some degree-even the pre~1977 heavier cast versions...When I had my '624s off for porting,they were warped and I had them shaved .010 to get them flat again.

johnbhm

iTrader: (1)

Hmm..

Is it a bad idea to get like a set of used vortec heads and just get them checked for cracks and to be flat and bolt them on? I always hear people saying stuff like when you buy used heads to get them ported and stuff.. I've seen a few "50-60k" mile Vortec 062/906 heads for 100-250. That would allow for better valvesprings and intake.


-mattbhm

8t2 z-chev

not a bad idea to bolt on some checked out vortecs-they might get the compression up a little high with the flattop pistons-may or may not be a problem,depending on the cam used and a few other factors.I have heard some say porting vortecs can actually reduce performance since the rough-ish as cast ports create a "boundry layer"effect along the port walls,improving flow.