Alright with money burning a hole in my pocket i would like to begin work on the Iroc soon. My dad offered to give me his bare 355 block as a starting point. I want to hot tank it, and get it looked at. Now if i purchase the correct cam and lifters there is no reason why i couldn't run this engine in my '89 correct? and i can run standard valve covers, not centerbolts on the afr heads, then i don't have to spend the $300 on narrow roller rockers, i can spend the like $200 on standard? Then a cam and lifters is less than $200 instead of $300 for the cam alone. I want to then put some afr's and a stealth ram on top get it all ready and take a weekend and do the swap. Anything that i am overlooking??? thanks
Josh

 

Block compatibility is based on it's year...i/e if it's a 1pc rearmain seal, then it's bolt in, if a 2pc rearmain seal, you'll need a different flexplate or flywheel.

Regarding rockers, this is head dependant, not block.

Most likely the AFR's have screwin studs and guideplates, so you'll be using non-self aligning rocker arms...check with AFR to be sure, but a quick look at the heads would confirm this.

 

I reread your post again, I get the feeling it's a "non-roller" block, i/e 2pc RMS, and you're planning on running a hdy flat tappet cam, as opposed to the hyd roller cam setup that's in your '89 now.

Yes it less expensive for the cam/lifter, than a roller cam is...but if it were me (asuming your '89 has a 350 in it) I'd go through the original engine, select a good roller cam and run the AFR's on it.

 

thanks, yes in a way i like the roller better but with the camaro being my daily driver i like the idea of being able to buld the engine on the side, but thanks for the replies, where would i research the flywheel issue

 

You use the flywheel for the engine not the car. Get the casting # off of the block and post it on here and I can give you more info about your 355ci swap. I'm building a 388ci now to put in my '91RS. It's a 3970010 casting # block. Its a two piece rear seal that wasn't a roller block, but I'm going back with all roller componts.

 

mine also has a 3970010 casting. I also have a 406 laying in the corner with a good crank and rods, at least i think they're fine the engine ran fine, but it went low on oil and ate a cam, it then got yanked out of my old el camino and tossed on a stand. Anyway, can i used that crank to build a stroker, or would the block need to be modified? o well thanks, and i'm just waiting to hear more input
Josh

 

If you use a 400ci SBC crank you have to have the crank mains turned down to the large size. There is three sizes small, large and 400 mains. If it is a forged crank this my be the thing to do, but you can buy a cast crank for about the same price that it costs to turn that one down.

 

yes i really wasn't wanting to go the stroker route, and if it costs that much it's not worth the computer/injector issues and all that jazz, i want some thing that will run almost like stock, until it gets opened up

 

hmm the more that i've been researching this things are adding up quickly, how horrrible would it be to just buy a shortblock? i mean and lose the 4 bolt main, do i really need a 4 bolt for the street?