hey im looking for a 350 to swap out from the 305.i found an engine block (making a 383 stoker) its farily cheap.but i just need to know how to identify if its a 350 or not.how do you tell?the search thingy on here isnt wanting to work on my computer at the momentanyways.i havnt taken a look at it yet but where do you look??

 

Check the bore, thats the fastest way i would go 4.000 for the 350.

 

oh ok thanks not to hard.just use a ruler or do i need a special tool or whatever?

 

For identification purposes only, a ruler would work. Also you will want to make a note of wether the block is a 4 or 2 bolt main, 1 or 2 peice rear main, and if it is a roller cam block or not.

 

how do you identify thos parts?i would like a 4 bolt main and what is better a 2 piece or a 1 piece main rear? and the roller cam?i dont know how to identify engine all that great. sorry for all the questions

 

Look at the number of bolts holding the main caps in. If there are 4 on each of the center 3 caps, it's a 4 bolt. If there are 2, it's a 2 bolt.

A 1 piece rear main seal block is the later design that has the cast-in provisions for a factory roller cam. Usually the finish machining is done for the roller cam, but some truck blocks might not have it.

 

• Flip the block over and look at the main caps, they will have either 2 or 4 bolts holding them down. 4 bolt isn't that important, if it is a 4 bolt good for you!
• While you are looking at the bottom of the block take a note of the rear main cap. A 2 peice rear main block has the seal contained inside of the cap. A 1 peice rear main block has the seal pressed into the block and main cap. I like the 1 peice rear main as the oil pan doe not have to be pulled if the seal is to be replaced.
• In the valley above the camshaft you may notice bosses cast in the center of the valley. These are used in roller camshaft applications to hold the lifters straight. If they are already tapped then the block is roller cam ready. If not is was equipped with a flat tappet cam, but can be converted. If the the bosses are non existent then a roller cam conversion is more costly and much more work.