well i just got a 350 from my uncle who had it in his buick which we swapped with a 455. well this engine has been passed around alot i.e my uncles truck then into a 67 maro then a 72 buick and now to me. it obviously will be rebuilt but into what? i wanted to build up a 400 but i got this now so might as well make it work for me. what i really want to know is what should i turn this 350 block into? thinking about maybe a 383 stroke like the 67 maro but what other good engines could this be turned into? not looking for a specific hp range just want something for show but still have alot of go for the occasinal race. anyone have any ideas?

 

Here's hoping we're talking about a Chevy 350. Buick had their own version of a 350 that would not be a good choice for installation in a 3rd gen.

Assuming it is a SBC...

You really need to know what's in and on this engine right now. If the rotating assembly is in good condition and had good parts in it, you might as well leave it alone - unless you really want a 383.

Okay, the cam. My philosophy is determine what you're going to do with the car when you're done building the engine, determine the displacement of engine to do it, then go looking for a cam. The rest of the combination is determined by the cam you get.

Next you need to know what heads are on it. In general, the factory put pretty poor heads on 350's over the years. You have to start out with the right heads and then do the right things to them. Unless you simply intend to go with aftermarket, the casting #'s off the heads you've got will determine what you need to do.

 

whoops, yes it is a sbc. everything about the engine is great. the cam and heads and all are no more than 3 years old. but i dont want "just another 350" could it be bored out and built up to like maybe a 396 or 400 if they can be made from this block? as i mentioned b4 it will be a show car but still want a bad a$$ engine so its not "all show and no go" because it will see the 1/4 a few times.

 

Things start getting nasty when you get over 383 (388 with .060"-overbore). That starts requiring the extreme stuff, and escalates cost substantially.

Only you can balance the "show" vs. "go" stuff. If I wanted an all-out go-er that would have a wow placard at the show, I'd start with a Motown block and go at least 434 with it, and deck it out to the max. I wouldn't start with a production-grade factory block.