350 engine help please

Alright, ive got a decision to make concerning what to do with the 350 that is in my 74 nova right now. The problem is that the engine is not running anywere near to right ... i mean, it wont die on me, but i get next to no power out of it. The guy i bought the car off of seemed to be a first time learner, so i have no idea what the hell he could have done to it. I took it in last year to have a guy look at it who specialized in the camshaft field. He said taht he thought that the cam was to big for the engine, and agreed with me on the power loose after taking it for a test dirve.

My question for you is what route should i take with this. The way i figure it i have a few choices....

1. Rebuilding the engine from the ground up myself (though i do not know much at all about how to do it, so i would have to go buy a book and take my chances...but i definetly am enthusiastic about learning).

2. Buying an already rebuilt engine from a website etc.

3. Building a new engine

4. Buying a used engine from a local source

5. Takeing my chances with just getting a new camshaft

The engine is in by no means new condition. I would also like an engine that is going to be able to have about 400 hp.

Thanks for your time
-Chris

Buy a rebuild kit, they're cheap, what do you got to lose? as for getting it to 400hp, thats gonna cost some extra.

get that engine timed & tuned, it just might surprise ya! -- i bought a chevelle last year & what a DOG it was! i couldnr believe it was such a dog! i was shut down on the way home by a (im not telling) so i pulled over & the guy with me asked whats wrong? i reached down & pulled the gas pedal up (bent it back up into place) we took off & i stomped on er & the 4 barrel opened, the tires went up in smoke & it was like a totally different car!!!!!!!
NO KIDDIN!!!!!! i had a 72 cheyenne short box that had the same problem.

sometimes things are much EZer than you think!!!!!!!!

Hey cstud87 It's hard to tell whats wrong without looking at it but it sounds like the ignition is retarded . Check timing first before you do a rebuild.I used to have a 74 SS Nova , when I bought it the motor was cooked . Replaced it with a 325 H.P. crate motor from G.M. ,Loved it . Plenty of power for the light in the back Nova.When you get up around 400 H.P. your going to have to spend around 4,000- 4,500 $ for one at least. Building one yourself is cheaper ,just have the bottom end done at a machine shop if your unsure of yourself. You should be able to complete the rest yourself. Good luck.

cstud87, not enough info what kind of ignition ,wires carb,etc. With more info there a plenty of folks on this site that can help you out.