Thread: I'm about to buy a Jegs crate 350 - what else will I need?

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I wouldn't buy the engine you've picked from JEGS if it were me shopping. It's just a basic transportation build, nothing special, but it has a flat tappet cam and I would not put a flat tappet cam in anything new today considering the situation with lubricating oils. Sure, you might break it in right and be one of the lucky ones, but too many people have ended up with one or two flat lobes after only a month or two, and the particles from the lobe destruction have now trashed every bearing and the rings in the new engine, and maybe the cylinder bores, too. For my money I'd shop for a different crate engine with roller lifters at a minimum, or all a good local machine shop and have them build you a basic 350 from one of their cores.

Originally Posted by rspears

...just a basic transportation build, nothing special...flat tappet cam...

Not sure if you're referring to the ZZ4 or other engine mentioned in this thread. I'm commenting since I don't think ZZ4's have flat tappet cams. Here's a typical description:

...With over 400 ft.-lbs. of torque, the ZZ4s are the best way to put an aluminum head, 4-bolt main block, roller cam, high performance small block between your favorite fenders. The aluminum angle-plug cylinder heads have screw-in rocker studs, 1.94 in. intake and 1.50 in. exhaust valves, and 58cc combustion chambers that yield a crisp and responsive 10:1 compression ratio. Also included are lightweight valve spring retainers, radiused valve seats, and valve stem seals to help keep the oil where it belongs. To complement the cylinder head design, we've incorporated a billet steel hydraulic roller tappet camshaft with a .474 in. intake and .510 in. exhaust valve lift. The combination makes 355 hp at 5,250 rpm and has that great-sounding musclecar idle, with just enough lope to let people know that these are no station wagon engines...

I bought one of those engines with free shipping from Jegs...its a good buy. I used all the bolt on parts from my old engine, but
if you do not have those items I would buy a complete engine.

Don