so i've found a 1969 350 4-bolt main that i might rebuild and i have to questions about it...
1. will it fit in a 86 camaro?
2. are they as strong as other engines?/ would a later engine be better?
3. are parts as easily accessible?
any help would be great thanks

 

1: It's the same external dimensions as any other SBC
2: Depends on the casting and how new do you consider "later" engines
3: SBC parts are the cheapest on the market

How complete is the engine? Do the heads have accessory bolt holes?

 

its just in the local bargain finder, all i know is that it doesnt come with a intake

 

Most likely it's not a 69 at all; rather, it's a 3970010 block out of a truck, which means it could be from anywhere from 69 to about 78. Not that it matters, the point being, don't get all hung up on what the seller claims it's "year" is. He's trying to sell it to people that think that a 69 car would run like a bat outta hell but a 76 car would be a slug; so since it's all the same, he's going to try to get in under the "halo" a little bit.

I would guess that fewer than .001% of all 1969 motors are still as they came from the factory anyway. Meaning, even if the block REALLY IS a 69, everything else most likely ISN'T. Expect to find yerbasic 010 casting, 442 cast crank, no telling what rods, a set of 882 or 624 heads (yuck), and a 929 cam (also yuck). Lots of stuff to throw away. If it's supposedly running, even more so if it "runs great", but it's super cheap and there's some kind of a fish story about why it's for sale (typical tall tales would be stuff like, "I got this 305 2-barrel for free and my wife drives my race car to work sometimes so I put the 305 in it for better gas mileage" ..... yeah right, like people would actually DO that), suspect that he's getting rid of it because it has The Problem, where the starter bolt holes are drilled in the wrong place. Or, The Other Problem, where one or more lifter bores are mis-aligned to the cam, so it automatically eats cams by rolling off the lobes no matter what you do.

If you can hear it START, and then hear it RUN, so you can make sure it doesn't have either Problem (that horrible grinding starter noise, along with very slow cranking; or one very loud lifter tick coupled with a mostly dead hole), then you can be a little more secure that it's really OK.

Buying used motors out of the classifieds when the deal sounds "too good to be true" is a REAL RISKY business.

It will have a 2-piece rear main seal, so you'll need a different flex plate or flywheel from the one you have; the distick will be on the left, and will be TOTALLY INCOMPATIBLE with your exhaust manifolds, if you still have them (fits fine with headers); and the oil pan that's on it might not fit your car, if it came out of a truck or some other chassis. If it's been in a A, G, or F body, then the pan will fit your car; B body, truck, or van, it might not. As far as "strong", a block is a block is a block, it makes no difference. That's not a determining factor.

 

thanks alot for the help

 

And, without the block casting number and actually seeing it - it may not be a 350 at all. The casting numbers (on many motors) in 1969 were the same for 350's and 327's - so it could be a 327 - if it has 4 bolt mains, it's a 350 - if 2 bolt mains, then a 327.

Which, if it's a 327 block (and large journal), then no real biggie - it can take a 350 crank, rods, pistons, and heads - and for all intensive purposes be a 350 (ask me how I know )

But - as mentioned, SBC is SBC - parts are numerous and always available. It'll go in just fine with exception of dipstick issues as mentioned. No matter what it's origins (truck, car, granny mobile), it'll be quite a jump from a 305 or a 6cyl. And, if it's a good block, can be built as you like, given time and money.

And remember - power is made in the heads, which can always be switched later as time/money allow. I have the sucky 70's smog heads, and for me right now, I have plenty of power (after dealing with a 305) - different heads are on my "someday" list.

As with anything, it's what you make of it to make YOU happy that counts.