Going to pull a 350 this weekend to throw in my 87.

Any tips for what to look for? Im not to good at recognizing good blocks.

Ill also be looking for some double hump heads, will they be my best bet on a costerformance with their big valves?

 

First of all I doubt you'll ever see a set of those heads in the junk yard. Second, if you do, they're at least 35 years old using very old technology. They would need to be rebuilt and by the time you're done, a set of aftermarket heads will be cheaper and for about the same price as rebuilding those old heads, you could probably buy some new aluminum ones.

You're not going to find factory performance parts in the junkyard. Your 87 will probably have a one piece rear main seal. To be a direct replacement, you'll need to find another engine like it or change your flexplate/flywheel.

If you're looking for a good 2 piece rear main seal engine as a stock replacement type engine, look for a GM Targetmaster replacement engine. They have good castings and are good for a basic buildup.

There are many newer types of engines you could install such as LT1, LSx etc but they're not all direct replacements.

 

I never thought about the heads that way, I suppose a set'll be ordered from summit sometime soon.

It was actually origonally a v6 camaro with a 5 speed and was set up for a 350 when I got it, so now Im putting the engine in.

Is the casting # '10066036' the only targetmasters cast?

 

IMHO i'd look for '87 and up Caprice's and Trucks with TBI. Preferably something with lower miles if you don't intend on rebuilding it.

In other words, look for a roller cam block.
The rest can be whatever you like, ie, use 416 305 heads, aftermarket intake manifold, aftermarket headers, etc etc...

 

I hear those Vortec 350s in the GM trucks are pretty good for swaps. Keep an eye out for one of those.

 

I agree 1996-2002 was the GM light duty truck/Van vortec 350 production times. The over 8,600 GVW vehicles had 4 bolt mains and typically forged cranks. They also had a nice single roller timing chain.

 

Trucks typically are roller casting, but more often than not, haven't been machined for the roller equipment.

Doesn't make them bad engines, just less desirable for the lack of that desirable feature.

 

Ah that's right. I figured they'd be completely setup for roller stuff, they just had a flat tappet cam in it. Ie, you just find some JY roller lifters, and buy a roller cam and you're done.
But if it needs to be machined for that, then you might as well pass it up (or just use flat tappet).

A roller block, with a roller cam in it would be ideal. '87 up SBC's had this, for the most part. Except most trucks apparently. That leaves Caprices and...? I think later trucks would have had it for sure, post 1990 maybe?

 

Post '96. I.E., the first Vortec.