k so i went to my neighbors garage and got this engine and it turned out to be a sbc 350 4 bolt main. wooot. it needs to be rebuilt but i might just get all the parts for it first and see how it runs. all i need is heads, intake, carb. i was talking to my friend about it. he said to make sure i get all 87-92 parts for it. that would make it centerbolt (its an 80-85 style block btw) Im wondering if he is right and this will work as good as he said. he said something about the angle of the heads being different like 17 degrees compared to 45 degrees. so those of youe who know what im talking about give me some input on what parts i should get to complete this motor. thanks everyone. also what would be a good streetable cam for it and is it worth it to switch to a roller system?

 

Are you planning on putting in a cam?
It'll be flat tappet, and yea, I can't justify the cost of going to retro roller. Price it out, and decide for yourself, there's definately gains to be had, but the price is too hard for me to bear.

Angle of the heads isn't different. It's the head->intake bolt holes that are slightly different, IIRC. Not 45*->17* though. (now you're confusing me...but that doesn't sound right, I think it's 17* off) That's not a big deal, as long as they match, you're ok, one isn't really much better than the other.

Are you pretty confident the bottom end is ok? What pistons are in it? Dished stock style?

Make sure you pick heads that give you the right CR. Measure deck height, and try to figure out the piston dish size. (if it's stock, great, easy to know.)

Yer basic, run of the mill winning system for this type of motor is;

compxe268 hydraulic flat tappet cam with lifters
Vortec heads (either machine for higher lift, or use offset locks. Locks are cheaper.)
edelbrock vortec performer RPM intake manifold
carb of choice, pick your poison. Say a holley double pumper, for originalitys sake
And you're done. That's a 375HP proven combo right there, cheap too.

 

woah! 375hp! dang! lol thats more than i was expecting... the cylinder walls are kinda bad. its all stock. im gonna have it bored and honed and everything when i get the money and put new pistons and rings in and just have the crank turned or something so its all like new. im gonna bore it so its a 355. thats .020 over right? I do plan on putting a cam in. I am probably going to get a lot of summit brand parts or something cheap thats still better than what i have. thanks for the help. everyone is telling me to go with vortec heads...so thats my plan. thanks again. if anyone else has suggestions please chime in