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Engine build from the block up-Question

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Old 08-07-2012, 06:35 PM
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Engine build from the block up-Question

Alright, I working on writing up a the starting point of a Project. The Engine I want is a 350 V8, but I'm going to buy the block bare, cleaned up and so forth. What parts besides the block do I need, (in short I need a list). This engine is going to be a Carburetor using engine. No NOS and No supercharger/turbo.
Old 08-07-2012, 07:45 PM
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Re: Engine build from the block up-Question

in my opinion before I went that route, I'd buy a complete motor and just rebuild it. If you want a list, here goes;
oil pan, oil pump, crank, rods, pistons, bearings, rings, timing chain and gears, timing chain cover, fuel pump, heads, valves, valve springs and associated locks and keepers, push rods, rocker arms, intake, carb, distributor, oil pump shaft, fuel pump shaft, and oil gallery plugs and freeze plugs, and I am sure I forgot a few items. oh yeah, gaskets and exhaust manifold and water pump and I still probably left out a few. It will be much more economical to buy a complete motor and just rebuild it.
Old 08-07-2012, 08:17 PM
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Re: Engine build from the block up-Question

Buy a book on rebuilding sbc with the dvd vids. Its a huge help. Theres tons of parts you need plus tools. Not to complicated but critical.
Old 08-07-2012, 08:55 PM
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Re: Engine build from the block up-Question

This is shimming up a tree the hard way.Just buying a bare block will drive you nuts with needing all those small parts.And the costs is outrageous.Get a 1996 or up L30 roller needing a rebuild.

David Vizard is the author you want to buy books from.Google him.

Last edited by 1gary; 08-07-2012 at 08:58 PM.
Old 08-10-2012, 02:08 PM
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Re: Engine build from the block up-Question

In addition to the actual parts now you get the fun of finding all the correct length and grade bolts for everything as well as any retainers and hold down brackets and clamps. Do not forget to get the V8 clamshells also.
Much easier to get a complete engine and starting there. To repeat above I would reccomend a 96-2000 truck 350 for the roller cam and better Vortec heads.
Old 08-11-2012, 11:07 PM
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Re: Engine build from the block up-Question

I just got done reading the last reply, as I was getting ready to post a "list" down and see what ya'll think. I want to learn and build an Engine. So here goes, Take a peak,

Piston Rings - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SLP-E921K/
Main Bearings - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SLP-4663M/
Timing Cover - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G3200-K/
Rod Bearings - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SLP-8-2555A/
Gasket Set - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SLP-260-1735/
Freeze Plugs - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SLP-381-8059/
Timing Set - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G6601/
Harmonic Balancer Bolt Kits - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G1677/ (not sure how many of these i need...
Intake Valves - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAN-10576-8/
Exhaust Valves - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAN-10577-8/
Valve Springs - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-26918-16/
Valve Spring Retainers - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-787-16/
Valve Locks - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-648-16/
Rocker Arms - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-1418-16/
Camshaft Core - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-12-000-8/
Cam Buttons - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G001/ (another not sure on how many i think 1)
Vortec Intake Manifold - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PFS-52028/
Intake Manifold Bolt Kit - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ARP-134-2002/
Thermastat Housing - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G3800/
750 Carb - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HLY-0-3310C/
Carb Stud Kit - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G1421/
MSD 8.5mm Spark Plug Wire Set - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MSD-31243/
8 of these Plugs - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FRM-APP606/
Distributor with Coil - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-850001R/
Ignition Module - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DUI-000222/
2 Valve Cover Breathers - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G3416/
Valve Cover Gaskets - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G2301/

Cam Bearings - CH8 - Speed-o-motive
Aluminum Water pump - SOM-WP350HP - Speed-o-motive
EQ Vortec heads - CH350C - Enginequest
Head Bolt Set - HB350N - Enginequest
Oil Pan - OP350L - Enginequest
Valve Covers - VC350L (pair) - Enginequest
Oil Filter Adapter - OFA305 - Enginequest
Vortec 350 Short-block Core - Need - AA Midwest
note about the block - Trying for a 1998 4-bolt Mains, with Factory roller cam, serviceable crank, rods, roller lifters, pitsons, and also has an oil pump.
Old 08-11-2012, 11:16 PM
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Re: Engine build from the block up-Question

A lot of things to factor in. How much power are you looking to make?

The best bang for the buck is a 87+ 350 in descent running condition. Disassemble and hope it's all in half way descent shape. Send the crank to get polished or cut, have block tanked, check the bores, hone the cylinders, get new main/rod/cam bearings, freeze out plugs, soak the pistons and rods in parts cleaner, LS7 lifters, moly rings, timing chain assembly.
That's pretty much a cheap short block in a nutshell.

Oh and a cheaper route for your heads is scoggin dickey. They sell them assembled as a pair for like $800. Good for .550"ish lift as well. Doubt you'd need anything bigger than a 670 cfm carb.

I built a fresh 350 vortec (224/230 cam, expect about 375 horse/400 ft lbs) with a mild cam for $4,100 running. That's not what I have into it but that's the price of the parts new; including about $1,000 extra in a nitrous setup with a $400+ set of stud mount roller rockers. I might have about $2,000 into it... it pays to shop around,check the classifieds sections on forums and have some of the parts laying around.


If you want a general idea of what you'll need I documented every part in a word program on my computer... just ask and I'll PM it to you. You can cut about $1,500 off that build sheet if you went with some cheaper rockers, knocked the nitrous setup out of the equation, and skimped out on the ARP hardware.

Last edited by zraffz; 08-11-2012 at 11:23 PM.
Old 08-11-2012, 11:20 PM
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Re: Engine build from the block up-Question

taking a 350 v8 and getting to 440hp, is the plan or near that, on a Vortec 350 Block.
Old 08-11-2012, 11:27 PM
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Re: Engine build from the block up-Question

Don't know if you'll really hit 440 horse on stock pistons/rods with vortec heads.

They seem to fall pretty flat much past .500" lift so you'd be relying on compression to even break past 400 horses. I think my build was about the best thing you'd get with stock vortec heads and a stock bottom end. A little n2o will push a 3rd gen into the 11's. Haven't made it to the track with mine in my S10 but I'm looking for mid 12's NA in a 2800lb truck.
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