Dope on 350 Blocks

[ssn696]

Car Craft landed in my mailbox this morning. I always heard that the post-70's heads were known to be more likely to crack. The heavy castings have a straight edge on the deck below the exhaust ports, and the lighter, late heads have 'scallops'. I did not know the lightening applied to the engine blocks as well. It seems that GM was trying to shave weight from their cars starting in '77. What is amusing is that the 80's Caprice body was in the planning stages all the way back to 1974. I can see some of the styling cues from the Vega. More sharp lines. Anyway, this is taken form the January 2016 Car Craft, Credit where credit is due.

 

[pontiacgp]

That was a very interesting read, thanks for posting it

 

[455'ed80Regal]

What he said. ^^^^^

 

[V8 Rumble]

Good read.

 

[olds307 and 403]

All GM blocks went through the weight savings in 77, Olds with windowed mains and lighter shitty or crack prone heads, Pontiac had thinner mains in the 400 and the 265/301 was an ultra light weight design. Cadillac had lighter crank and heads for sure. The Buick 350 probably stayed the same being a light weight design to begin with. All early blocks could take 500 HP although Buick actually strengthened their 455's bottom end in 75-76, maybe to help Buick racer's? Why would serious Chevy racers waste their time with stock blocks anyways?

 

[lilbowtie]

All depends on what you call serious racer. I consider myself to be a serious racer and have used nothing but stock blocks. It would be better looked at as to how much HP do you plan on making. I have no problem taking a 350 to 600 hp - after that I believe an aftermarket block would be a much better choice. The upper hp is where you need to take advantage of the 010 block. I have never hurt a 350 and I'm old. Can't say the same about the 400, cracked 2 of them @ 520 hp.