Been a long time, but it felt good to login! I have a 350 on an engine stand...and will be ready to swap soon. Details are a bit sketchy (it is used...kid wrecked the car and the engine had about 5,000 miles on it//dad demanded that the car be parted out. The cast number is GM20 3970010. The plate on the passenger/front is blank. There is a silver plate in the driver/rear side of the engine that has: 1322 994350 on it. The header stamp is G99 MEXICO. The intake manifold is 346250. It is topped with a Holley 80457 4bbl carburetor. Unknown—head type, HP, 4-bolt or 2-bolt.

I'm planning a swap soon. I plan to interchange the MSD ignition and possibly the intake manifold (350 stock changed for Edelbrock Performer 2101). I have to replace the valve covers on the 350 (one is dinged pretty bad). I'll probably dump the Q-Jet for the Holley, but the jury is out. The Q-Jet is simply too temperamental!

Here are my questions--
1. Changing the 350 intake manifold for the E-brock performer 2101...good idea, or not worth bothering with with?

2. I have about $250 that I could spend (hey...Christmas is coming fast) before pulling the 305, cleaning the bay, and putting the 350 in to enjoy it. What else would you do within the $250-$300 budget. This is a fun/recreation car, to work twice a week...no emission concerns, twice a year 300 mile driver; gas mileage doesn't scare me. Should I upgrade the cam since the valve covers are off anyway, or should I wait & match it to a better intake? Recommendations on that (What's the keyword here...mild?)?

3. Anybody have a great set of heads for sale within budget?

Thanks in advance, all. Everytime I start thinking, I wind up with a wishlist that involves tearing this thing apart, but I just can't do that right now. Again, it's fun to be back.

 

The valve covers are off, so what's the casting number on the heads?

 

Your going to need a tv cable geometry corrector, and a new throttle cable mount to switch to the holley, and maybe fuel hose and/or adapters as well - so don't go blowing the $250 yet. You'll need the $250 plus some just to do the swap for little things like gaskets, etc.

The 2101 won't help or hurt much either way.

 

350 heads - my money is on 882, 624, or something similarly lame. You'd be better off with your 305 heads.

Carb - I'd take the q-jet over that Holley any day.

Cam upgrade - would be worthless without exhaust upgrades, and if the heads are what I suspect they are, wouldn't help much. With the 305 heads and exhaust upgrades, it might be worth it. But, with only $250 to spend, you aren't going to get a very good cam if you can't afford new valve springs, too.