Thread: Chevy SB: spend my money!!!

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I just picked up a '75 Chevy 1/2 ton that I want to pull the engine and trans. out to put in a Rat Rod. I think it has the 4 bolt mains and a t400. I'm gonna tear it down completely and I was hoping to get some input on where to spend money. Going for a street engine with good torque. The car should be quite light as it will be pretty bare bones. I don't mind spending money for something that's gonna help, but it is a Rat and I don't think I need 500HP!! On the other hand it would be nice to school a rice rocket now and then (even though my chopper is a Honda). Oh yea, and it has to sound good too.

Thanks for any input,
SGO

How many miles are on this engine? And how does it sound any knocks or was it over heated ? If this is the factory engine it is a 4 bolt main 350. You will be using the short block only . The heads are #882 or #624 not good castings for a build up . You will want to go with Vortec heads or S/R world heads . Does it matter if you use center bolt valve covers on your rat rod . I think the GEN 1 4 bolt type look better for a rat rod build ? Let us know more about your engine so we can help you pick out your cam intake carb . The TH400 trans should be a short shaft 400 that will work out for you . Also what rear gear are you running ?

Well, for lightwieght and look factor I would go with aluminum heads. Around a 180cc runner and 64cc chamber. If you have the money go with AFR's. If not, go with the Dart Iron eagle heads. Throw a single pattern cam like the 270H Comp Magnum in it(224 duration, .470 lift). It's small enough for street and will still sound good. If you want a little bigger go the 280H(230 duration, .480 lift.) Will lope a little more but you're getting a little closer to street/strip. If the budget allows, buy a hydraulic roller cam about the same duration as I listed. Run a flattop piston or small dish piston, run at least 9-1 compression. No more than 10-1. Use a dualplane intake. Anyway you do it should make over 400 horsepower. Closer to 450 when tuned.

How about roller lifters???

Originally Posted by sgo70

How about roller lifters???

No need for roller lifters or a large cam . This is a light car and you want it to be fun to drive . Go with a Comp Cams 268H cam its 218 dur at 050 and 454 lift with 110 lobe sep . And for an intake go with the Holley 300-36 Dual plane intake with a Edelbrock Performer 600cfm carb . And use a GM high cap distributor with a Pertronix ignitor kit . This will give that engine that so cool old school look . And these parts with the right heads will make 360HP . And you will have more torque with this cam then a larger one that may give you 15 more HP .

One of my posts didn't show up???

327 with 6 inch rods 1.94 1.6 heads headers say 10:5-1 11:-1 compression comp cams 280h course i forgot it was for a truck

A 75 1/2 ton truck is a light vehichle...........

Compared to an ARMY TANK yes it is a lite vehicle. He also said it was going in a (i hate the word and look) RAT ROD. But it is his to choose what he will do. Have fun. Also don,t take this personal i just don,t like them myself it,s yours do what you will.

Keep the heads that came with the engine. Aquire which pistons that fit your build. Head work should simply be bowl work and possibly rework (slightly) the intake gasket area. You said torque, run with what you have and fulfill your need to have a fun go getter. Cam? stay within the 480 total lift area keeping the .050 duration close to 220 and run the mutha!. You put high dollar heads on it, you will have to wind it to have TOTAL satisfaction from the build. Light weight equals less over build.

you try an 836 kit from tommy?

Originally Posted by shawnlee28

A 75 1/2 ton truck is a light vehichle...........

The Engine is coming out of a truck and going into a Rat Rod !

Originally Posted by nitrowarrior

Keep the heads that came with the engine. Aquire which pistons that fit your build. Head work should simply be bowl work and possibly rework (slightly) the intake gasket area. You said torque, run with what you have and fulfill your need to have a fun go getter. Cam? stay within the 480 total lift area keeping the .050 duration close to 220 and run the mutha!. You put high dollar heads on it, you will have to wind it to have TOTAL satisfaction from the build. Light weight equals less over build.

The heads that are on it are thin casting smog heads . And the only way to make them work with a 220 at 050 480 lift cam is to use dome pistons . This never is as good as a flat top piston build with 64 to 67 cc heads . And the heads that are on it most likly need new guides and valves and springs with retainers . I have a 327 that I am building with domed pistons . But I picked up the pistons and rod for a cheap price . And I have a set of full ported #882 76cc heads that came off an engine I pick up that some one dumped lots of cash into these heads . No need to over cam a street SB 350 . That 220 dur at 050 with 480 lift should be a max for your build . COOL TANGO

I would try a set of the Dart Iron Eagle S/S heads.
I would also run a smaller split pattern XR264HR cam.
Try to get your comp. ratio to 9.5.
I would run a Performer intake.
I would run a 570 cfm Street Avenger carb.

I was looking for that XR264HR cam ? I think the one you are talking about is the XE262H Comp Cams Xtreme Energy . This is a good street power cam . It is 218/224 dur at 050 and 462/469 lift and 110 lobe sep . I have heard that this cam in some engines will make more power then the larger XE268H cam . But for a carb I think the 670cfm Avenger will help the high end HP .