Ok guys, so over the past few weeks I've been on the hunt for a 350 as my 305 is coming out. I found one for a good deal. Not the vortec block and heads I wanted, cause frankly non were available in my area.
I ended up with a block from a 95 1/2 ton. I know I know, not the greatest, but it's a start.
It's block 14093638 (flat tapped) with those crappy swirl port heads 14102193.
The block has already been prepped. Hot tanked, bored .030 over and it comes with new brand new Keith Black Pistons (#KB142-030).

So my question is... what's my options from here. Keep in mind i'm on a low budget.
I would love to get vortec heads. But if I go that route, I first need to find a set. Second I know I need a new intake (which doesn't bother me, cause I was thinking of getting a new one rather than using the stock intake from the 305).
What else would I need or suggest?

My only other thought would be to use the crappy heads for now to keep my cost down, and just get a new intake and cam.

 

Are those pistons dished? How many cc? Make it easy for others to help you.
If they are dished, I'd use the 305 heads. Either way, I'd run the stock intake for now and put the money into roller lifters. Saves you from having to "break-in" non-rollers, and saves on ZDDP additives.

 

The pistons are dished. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/uem-kb142-030
The 193 heads are 65.3cc.
Are you suggesting I run the heads off my current LG4 305 rather than using the 193 heads? I think the heads off my 305 are 58cc or something like that. Would have to check the casting number on those heads.
As for the roller lifters? can you run roller lifters in a non roller block? I didn't think you could. I know some of these blocks had the provision to change over to a roller set up - however I haven't looked that closely at the block yet to know - plus I think those kits are like $1000 just to change over. It's not that big of importance to me to have a roller block right now.

 

But non-swirl-port 305 heads with 1.84" valves will give better midrange power than swirl-port 1.94". You should have 081 heads, same as the 230 HP TPI of 1990-1992.
All the '87-up blocks are roller blocks, even though trucks came with flat lifters. Use the spider, dogbones, and pushrods from your 305.
Rollers offer more lift for any given duration, and that helps fill the cylinders. Especially helpful with restrictive heads.

 

not true. My stock 305 is a non roller. Probably an early model 87... heard some 86 engines were put in early 87. Wish it were roller.
And I did check the heads, and they are the 081 heads.

 

I'd have the 305 heads machined to fit the 1.94" valves.

 

Ok so if I stick with my 305 heads, have them machined - what cam would you suggest? I would assume sticking with the cam from the 305 would be a dumb idea?

 

If the 350 block is from a 95 it is a roller block. You can buy used factory roller components from eBay or Craigslist for pretty cheap. I wouldn't bother w a flat tappet cam if I had a roller block, but that's just my opinion.