Engine direction

[81Caleh]

Hey everyone, long time since i have posted anything so here we go. I have done a ton of work to the car especially since I work 6 days a week😛. Finally pulled out the droopy headliner (the foam is hell should have worn a respirator atleast the 3m scotchbrite redpad make quick work of it) I finally got the motor running the best its ever run in the past 5 years. P.I was having a sale earlier this year kinda went nuts, bought new intake gaskets, carb gasket (which i had to port match), vacuum lines, fuel filter,air filter, cap, rotor, plugs, wires. Also put a new rad in the car, did about 15 coolant flushes. Changed some fuel line, replaced the heater hoses. Had some battery issues as well, put a fresh group 78 in it, changed the terminals, wires, cleaned up the grounds. Starter cranks like a bat out of hell, fires up in a heartbeat.
Now to the real question the motor is a 350 chev 4 bolt out of a 78 vette with smog heads 624's i believe but not too sure. however it pulls fairly strong for what it is, powers good untill about 4200-4500. has been bored over .30 and has a mild cam with some ceramic coated headers a edlebrock intake and a 600cfm edelbrock carb. Its probably not going to be in the car forever, but i want more from it for the time being because its going to be in the car for atleast a couple more years and it seems like a good base for a mid-high 300 hp goal. I really want to put a set of heads on it and try and make some power out of it for under 1000$. but selecting a set of heads for a motor with a unknown set of parts is impossible. Is there anyway I can figure out what heads I can put on this thing without pulling the motor because if this motors coming out it ain't going back in.

p.s il have some pics to upload soon !

 

[Yav8]

If the motor only pulls to 42-4500 it must be a very small cam. Get a comp EX-268 and start with that. Next get a set of used vortec heads and have them checked out and mabe some new valve springs. You will need a intake to match the heads but you will be some where around 375-400HP with just those two changes. You will pick up a point of compression along the way with the 64cc chambers and that will help, You will be into this for well under your budget. Used heads and a ebay intake is where you save the money. You might have enough left for a little better converter also.

 

[axisg]

I agree as well. The xe 268 was a wicked little cam in my car. Get some vortec heads from either the wreckers or kijiji and spend some $$ to have mississauga engines or Beatty & Woods ( the only 2 I trust in the west end ) to go over them for you. "if" you are interested they can be machined for bigger springs and give the ability to run a bigger camshaft in the future. I don't think you will see 400hp on a disco era motor but it should be a solid 300-350hp with the .30 over.

Problem being is that you will need a newer vortec style intake with the newer heads. Personally I got a deal on some patriot heads for my short block. They have both new and old bolt patterns on both the intake and valve covers, and the ability to run a bigger stick.

 

[81Caleh]

Hey guys thanks for the info! Was hoping I wouldn't have to change the cam 🙁
Would heads be worth to throw on if I didn't change it? Could I maybe add some higher ratio rockers instead to get some extra lift? I'm also not sure if the pistons have been changed to a different style say flat tops instead of a dish would that be a problem or a good thing? the intake isn't an issue either I've done a little research around on the forums about the vortec swaps and knew that had to be done, I am more than willing to spend some coin for a intake. The fan that's on this car feels like a big restriction too. It doesn't have a fan clutch just an aluminum spacer.. car sounds like a tornado when its over 2000 rpm. I feel like that 12 year old flex fan is going to come apart lmao.
i'm also a little afraid to really push the motor past 4500 because I don't think its ever seen that much action ever, it feels strongest at 4200-4500 but I have never gone past that point. Scared to break something, ringing out a sbc feels wrong. The highway gears don't make it easy to get up there either.

 

[axisg]

You don't have to change the camshaft. But if you have it down to the short block anyways why not. My motor had a complete set from JEGS. Comp xe268 k12 268-4. Came with cam, lifters, springs and timing set. Threw in a set of 1.6:1 Jegs brand roller tip lifters, and pushrods. It was about $500.00 +shipping ( back when the dollar was at par )

And yes, go can go back to a stock clutch fan with 7 blades or even switch over to electric. Those flex fans are dangerous from what I have heard.

Is there no way to track down the engine builder to find out what camshaft is in it ? You may not even need a cam swap

BTW I came across this when looking for an airgap intake today....
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-engines-and-...bc/1087117677?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

[81Caleh]

Yeah I saw the same ad browsing for some heads! I emailed the guy for some info still waiting for a reply.

unfortunately the mechanic who did it can't remember what he put in the damn thing. I managed to find his number last year and he said he couldn't remember a thing -_- this was also more than ten years ago so I don't really blame him. Although he should have gave us a build sheet or something of the sort.

Been working on the car all weekend just going over the drums going to paint em as well. still have to wrestle the old headliner board out of the car. Good thing I bought a brand new set of replacement clips and some other odds and ends from gbodyparts. I really want to get a clutch fan setup done by monday.