We got a rebuilt 350 cheap - long block for $400. After seeing what we got the old camelback heads are not our choice nd ew have no clue what cam is there. the intake was not included.

a bit of reading and a not too tight a budget suggest aluminum vortec heads are the way to go, and the edelbrock e-tec ones are 'only' 1100 for the pair. not too bad. intake, carb etc are all the same price.

so that leaves a cam choice... a bit of reading and thinking we concluded if we copy a known engine we will a)have less difficutleis in getting things to all work together b) have a predictable result, HP and vacuum wise, etc.

I was voting flat tappet, he was thinking roller. His money, but with a pre-86 block you need to use the 'fancy' roller lifters - edelbrock wants some $450 for them alone. Ouchy.

Even with the fancy lifters we shold have less than $3000 in the whole motor. that includes a new oil pump as we want to make 110% sure that is good/perfect/etc.

After all this, i certainly know why folks go the crate engine route!