I have a stock carburated 350 (from a 1991 pickup) with headman headers, five speed trans. and 3.73s at the rear. Car is a daily driver. I would like the most "Fun" set up. Not necessarily huge HP numbers. But a wide power band with a cam that does not give away too much at the bottom end. I have just bought a hood with a scoop so my intention was to buy an RPM Air Gap and do away with my drop base air cleaner. Now I'm wondering about going a little futher and would like some insight into matching up the cam, heads and manifold before I buy the manifold. Unfortunately, time is a factor, so if I'm to buy heads I'd like to buy fully assembled with quality springs etc. Again, advice as to reputable brands appreciated.

Also, would like to clarify; I've been led to believe that the post '86 blocks were all roller blocks. Is that correct? And, Vortec style heads would require a new set of headers? Thanks, Jon

 

Until '96, pickup engines typically didn't get roller lifters, although they did have one-piece rear main seals, center-bolt valve covers, and the center two intake manifold mount bolts on each side were at 72 degrees instead of 90.

Vortec heads require a different intake manifold, not different headers.

sdparts.com has some great deals on upgraded Vortec heads and manifold kits. A cam such as Comp XE268 or XE274 would compliment the RPM intake head kit very nicely. http://www.sdparts.com/product/SD806...RPMAirGap.aspx

 

Thanks Five7. I had a look at the link and I've saved your response in a text file to refer to later. Before I get started though I need to learn more about proper tuning with the set up that I have now so that I can make the most of the mods later. Do you have any recommendations as to good books on tuning Holleys and how to properly set up the distributer curve for different desired outcomes? Thanks, Jon

 

If you take a drill bit and slot the two center holes on a regular intake it will bolt up quite easily to vortec heads.

 

I could be wrong, but I think this is not true. This is true of I believe late 80's and early 90's heads - but not Vortecs.

 

If your engine is truly a 91 truck block, then it will have the boss provisions for a roller setup. I know because that's the same block I have. I fyou could find a used roller setup (lifters, spiders, etc), and then just get a roller cam of your choice to match your setup, it would give you that much more oommf.

 

That's correct.
If you modify the bolt holes it will *bolt up* to vortec heads, but the ports won't line up, kinda defeating the purpose of buying vortec heads.

 

That may be true of your block, but it's a crap shoot with truck blocks. All of them had the provisions cast into the block, but most of them didn't have the provisions machined. If yours was machined, it was one of the exceptions.

 

Unlikely that the block was machined only because that's not generally how my luck runs! Oh well, I'll have to wait until I'm able to have the car idle for a while so I can pull it apart and find out. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread. J