I have an 87 2.8 and want to do a carbed 350 swap. Now i know all the stuff i need: radiator motor tranny front suspension and all that jazz, but what im not sure of is what motor to buy. I dont know anything when it comes to bore over and all that. What about casting numbers? When buying one what should i stay away from? What should i look for in the cylinder walls? If its rusty should i automatically stay away or could it be a diamond in the rough? Need help plz. Was an import guy but came back to my roots. Thanks for the help.

 

Go to your junkyard and pull a xxxxxxx0010 block that looks reasonably clean, turns over with a 5/8 socket on crank pully and has good looking spark plugs. Thats your standard smog era 350 and should run alright to get you going. Then you can start getting some power from it.
Oh and pull the heads off at some point and make sure its a 350 not a 305, so that you can return it.

If your buying one locally then try to make sure its pretty clean, a little rust inside aint bad but anymore than a thin thin coating isnt your best bet. If the heads are off bring digital calipers and measure the bore. ~4.000 is the best (stock), 4.030 or under is alright and anything over that doesnt got much left.

 

what are you looking to do? are you planning to buy a bare block and build it ir purchase a stock, complete engine, or a crate engine?

If you want a bare block, find one that has not been sitting outside exposed and all rusted up, probably junk and not worth your time.

 

i would like to buy the complete engine and and tear it down then rebuild it. Since i wont be taking classes in the summer, that gives me up until school starts to have it done. i would like to build a 300-350hp motor.

 

font suspension is same

a 350 that runs good and doesnt smoke is one that you would want, dont worry about casting numbers unless you are going to machine shop and build it seriously spend alot on it

most any 350 you are going to find will be a low power smogger one

unless you go for a later model roller one from a caprice or such

good luck

 

well i know i said carbed but i found a 350 out of an 88 iroc that is tpi. Which is better. I have always heard carbed is better but i dont know anything so my opinion doesnt count.