ok i am starting to build a 350 for my trans am. I have a mid 70's 350 block. I am planning on keeping the TPI also. so as long as I get the roller cam made for that year AND the right heads I should be ok, right? I'm planning on doing 5140 crank,rods and forged pistons, Edelbrock Proformer RPM heads, roller rockers, headers, accel base, SLP runners and porting the Plenum. oh and also have Comp. or Crane make me a special camshaft. so do you think everything would work ok to put in my car with the TPI? thanks for taking the time to read this and answer also

 

it'll all work, you don't have to have a roller cam if you were under the impression you did

 

one change I'd suggest; get a newer one-piece rear main block. That's the one regret I have with my 383. I used a 72 350 and I've changed the rear main seal 3 times and can't stop the leak. It will clear up for a while but then comes back and slowly gets worse. Also, use the best parts you can afford. You will not regret it. If you skimp now, you'll end up buying the good stuff later and having to scrap the cheap stuff you bought instead. Or, the cheap stuff will break and ruin your whole motor. I know this from experience. I built a cheap 350 before my 383. It lasted 6 months before one of the valves in my budget head rebuilds broke and took out the piston, rod and cracked the block. my 383 is all forged and I am so glad I did that because I know it's top notch.

 

Did you try "staggaring" the 2 piece seals?

~M~

 

thanks for the advice guys.

 

yeah, the one I have in there now is a staggered neoprene seal. It is better than the first two but still not perfect. the pan still stays wet at the back and drips. oh well, I'm not gonna spend another 4 grand to fix the leak.