So my plans are to do at least one, if not two cosmetic things to this car in the next year. I am going to switch from my beaten S grills to 442 style grills.
https://www.early-birds.ca/part_413_414_423-321034.htmlThey are cheaper and will change the look somewhat. The other is a new windshield, it is way cracked and stone chipped. I still plan on sending the 403 short block to the machine shop towards the end of the winter. But I plan on getting this 350 running better. I am pretty sure a lobe is dying on the 214/214 cam and one connecting rod is bent and the flimsy grey iron crank has a wasted rod journal. This motor had 150 psi in 6 of the 8 cylinders, 125 in 8 AND 115 in the bent rod 7. So I will be putting a parts wanted ad in the sites I visit for one good condition, used 73 to 80 14cc piston and connecting rod. I will get new standard Moly rings and hone the cylinders. I also have a spare 330 forged crank and flex plate that was balanced for Speedpro 18cc dish forged pistons with stock rods. I will need .010 rod and .020 main bearings. I will probably Copper coat and reuse the .028 head gaskets if possible. The current 62 to 64cc big intake valve rebuilt 6 heads with few miles on them, I plan on polishing to 70cc to run on the 403 stroker. I plan on polishing my 55cc, filled, ported with W31 valves 6 heads to a polished 60cc. this will put me at 9.25 to 1. If the cam is failing, probably is, I have a good 204/214 cam on the shelf. I have two timing sets to choose from, the floppy Cloyes street 3 way double roller and a good used stock replacement off the 260. I will degree it and see where the stock replacement set puts it. I am planning on getting a set of the Chinese stainless headers, which will hang low but I have a ton of ground clearance with car. The $177 Canadian dollars set on Amazon sold out with free shipping sold out, most places are. The best deal, I found in stock was $70 more. I am also planning on bungs in the collectors to run a wideband. Then 2.5 pipe but undecided on mufflers. I like Aerochambers but they are loud. I may try cheap stainless, straight through mufflers. I can add glass packs as resonators and also have 3 rolls of 3M sound and heat barrier to throw under the carpet. A huge improvement over the current cast 260 manifolds and 1 3/4 dual exhaust with glass packs. I am finally getting a 750 Street Demon, TV bracket and the 625 cfm tuning kit, it will match this motor better. The 2004R trans I already have a deep pan and a 2350 stall converter. I plan on buying the CK reman 10 vane pump and hardened stator. I will also get his shift kit and servo and maybe the wide band as it is the next recommended upgrade. The other big key is the 3.90 gears for the Type O rear. I think there is a member on CO willing to sell a brand new set for less money. I also need to decide if a spacer or the expensive converted 8.8 ferd posi since I have the 2.78 ratio. I will probably get better mileage, 17 mpg Imperial running 1350 to 1450 rpm is not great, it will be 1900 to 2000 rpm, I will gain if anything, not lugging so much. I also plan on doing some measuring today to see if it is the rear end or body that is causing the tires to sit uneven in the wheel wells.