WOO HOO, pops saw my grades and said that I could use his garage space to put in a 350 this weekend. I was just wondring if anybody had any particular suggestions or words of wisdom. Funny stories even, cuz i know you got em. Thanks for your time.
Matt

 

Cool deal.

So, do you have the engine already? Tell us what you are working with here.

 

Sorry, im going out to look at a 4-bolt 350 from a 72 pickup with 78K miles on it. The heads are off, but the seller is willing to include one of two sets of heads with it. One set is a pair of iron L98s with a three angle valve job. The other is a set of 881 castings that are supposed to have 2.02 valves. I was under the impression that 881 castings were garbage? The bearings are supposed to be in great condition, and i can look at the cylinder walls to get an idea of the motor's condition before i put the heads on and do a compression test. Thats what im looking at working with right now. If i like it i will buy it right there and take it home. Still wouldnt mind laughing, so if there are any funny stories do tell. Sorry for the length, and thanks.
Matt

 

I put a 350 in my Z28 about a month ago, and i got a bunch of the sick kind of funny stories about it.

like when everything seemed to be going well and then i discovered that the dipstick was on the wrong side and now it looks like some kinda f*ed up S shape to clear the manifold, lol.

And i also discovered that the part of the starter that goes into the bellhousing wasn't able to fit in a 350 starter, but the 305 starter had a different bolt pattern... so i broke out the drill.

Also, as soon as i got the 350 on an engine stand, i took off the pan to see what kind of shape it was in internally as it was bought out of a '79 Camaro that the junkyard brought in just as i was about to leave, so i paid $600 for it because they fired it up and it ran good... turned out that it was freshly rebuilt (.030") less than 1000kms ago!!! every other rebuilt 350 i had seen for sale was $1500+

Oh yea, ever seen the drain plug blow off the bottom of the radiator? That sucker REALLY flew and just about killed my cat (which was outside the garage) LOL

 

What ever happened with that 350? Did you look at it?

 

It was a piece of garbage. The pistons were covered in soot. The lifter valley was filled with sludge. The cylinder walls had rust, and there was DIRT IN THE CYLINDERS. If somebody was tryin to screw somebody over, you'd think they'd at least put the heads on so you would have a more difficult time seeing what CRAP it is. Sorry for the tirade. But i did find a built 406 for 2K. Christmas is comin up, so perhaps the rents would be amenable to helpin a young hotrodder out. perhaps not tho. Sorry for the length.
Matt

 

If I may ask where was this guy located, Old Bridge? Because I think it may be the same engine that was posted in the classifieds recently.

 

Not gonna say, cuz its okay to flame anonymously. But to flame somebody by name isnt too nice. What is one mans trash is another treasure, so no comment on where it is.
Matt