OK, here is probably the best thing you can do: get the book "How to build maximum performance Chevy smallblocks on a budget" by David Vizard and build by the book. All his combinations are dyno-tested and the most sophisticated of machines and everything is detailed nicely. The end of the book has "10 best engine combos" in it, all for under 3000 bucks complete. And considering you have the blocks and the heads, you're going to look at a lot less than that. If you want a stout 350, a racing 383 or a "full tilt" 406, it's in there and your heads are most likely going to bring you some advantage over the ones he uses (186s, BUT fully ported). Anything I could say to help you for your range of application is in this book. So go get it





@ erik:
putting a 350 in a van certainly isn't hotrodding. But in this forum you get very good advice nonetheless, so why shouldn't I hang around here even if my current project isn't a Hotrod? Let's just forget the squabble and help anyone who needs help in any way, that would be my suggestion