ok I have a Vortec 350 out of a 1997 Tahoe. I already have it tore apart and getting ready to take it to the machine shop to get new springs and cam bearings and all that stuff done. I am planning on putting the hot cam mentioned in the "budget TBI build" thread and was wondering what valve springs (part number and from where) I should get and what work I need to tell the machine shop to do to make these springs work. I have used the search feature but keep finding conflicting stoiries on what springs will do what and some even saying there is nothing needed to be done to the seats and others saying they have to be ground down for the springs to work. UI also have the 350 injectors PART# GM 5235206 RPD and was wondering if I will still need the 454 regulator or would the stock regulator from the 305 TBI work since I will be using the 350 injectors. I am trying to buy all the parts so I will be ready to reassemble the engine when it is finished at the machine shop and want to be sure I have no surprises. I am going to be using comp cams roller tip 1.6 rockers also just because I want to be sure they fit under the valve covers. The springs are my main concern at the moment because I have found the lt4 hot cam I think but if anyone knows of a kit that can be bought (with cam and springs and stuff) that would be great also. I am sorry for the long posts and all the questions I have been asking i just am trying to do a father/son thing with this camaro and want everything to go smoothe as possible on our first build together. It has ben a long time since I have done anything like this myself so i have forgotten allot of stuff myself and thats why all the questions before I go buying the wrong stuff

 

Personally, I'm an advocate of cutting the top of the valve guides for positive-type valve stem seals and smaller ID springs. In fact, I'm having that done to a set of 062's that I'll be installing on Berlinetta #1. Some also say to cut the spring seat to 1.450" so you can put larger diameter springs in.

Still others say just get beehive springs and retainers. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...ve-spring.html (see post #8 - the beehive spring p/n is 26918-16)

 

Thank you, what are the pros and cons of either way if there are any. I said it has been a long time since I have done anything like this myself but the last time I did a rebuild like this it was done with my Uncle (who raised me and was like my father) and he was the one who dealt with or told me what to tell the machine shop and parts store at that time (I was 18 then and am 39 now) so I think that is why I am having a hard time with what i need to do here. The putting everything back together part I know how to do its all this other stuff that I am having a hard time with. I have had 7 back surgeries and have been down with that since year 2000 and have not been able to do anything father/son like with my son since that date, he is now 15 and I want to atleast do this with him (even if I have to fight through the pain) and that is why this is so important to me (not so sure its as important to him)

 

Have your son carry the heads and lean over the fender to put them on. Save your back. Going through that work will help him respect the car when he drives. As a condition to being able to race my Camaro, I made my son put the 350 together 4 years ago. He has treated the car much better, I think, than he would have had I done all the work.

The pros of having the top of the guides cut is being able to use better stem seals and having unimpeded valve travel. The pro of having the guide OD cut is being able to use dual springs. The pro of having the top & OD of the guides and the spring seats cut is being able to put very good springs on. The downside of all of these is the machine shop costs.

The pro of using the beehives is not having to do any machine work on the heads to use a cam with more lift. The cons are the cost of the springs & retainers, and being limited to what those springs will handle.