I am making plans on taking a trip to a junk-yard and pick up a 350 for my '65 skylark. what year would be the best to get? i've heard that certain years had more torque and others had more HP..what should i get? I want to drop this 350 in replacement of the v8-300 already there, which would be a daily driver. Any suggestions? HELP!
anything newer then 1970 will have 8.5:1 compression. Before that the 350 from the GS had 10.25:1 compression while I believe the Skylarks and Lesabres had 9:1. I'm no expert, but IMHO the 1970 engine from a GS would be best of all, if you can find one. After that I would look for a GS or Skylark engines from 68 or 69. After 70 I think the only difference between the base 350 and the high performance one was intake, carb and duel exhaust. There are a few other things to consider. the one's from the 60's oiled the heads differently then the later engines and starting in the 70's sometimes (73? 74?) the connecting rods are a better design. Of course if you are going to completely rebuild it none of that really matters but it doesn't sound like that is what you're planning. I'm sure someone else can come along and support or correct my information.
I was recently surprised to learn that the updated oiling system started in 1970. I confirmed this from two original 70 LeSabres (One of which donated its mill to me). Look under the oil filler cap to identify 69 and before, and 70 after. 69 and before have funky looking rockers with springs in between them. 70 and after have the rockers with the little round plastic thingys in them. After that try to identify the original color. I believe 1974 to be the last red ones. I think the emission tube-looking raised area on the intake started in 1973. 1973 was also the year for the better capscrew rods. These are simply tips to narrow it down. The peak 350 would be the high compression 70 4 V engine. Short of that, I'd say only go for the old oiler if its a real gem, otherwise, go for the better oiler (70-up)
Which one? Marvin, I am in the middle of getting a 350 together for my 79 and weighed which way to go. The 68-69 have the different rockers which are1.58 ratio. The parts for that valvetrain are a little higher. The 73 and up have the better rods. With all mods and tricks that can be applied to these motors I feel either would be a good choice . Good luck. :TU: Clint
The engine makes about 325-350hp I guess. I use about 200 hp shot, it is probably making about 550 HP? I have never got a full pass on the car, I found out my MSD box was bad, after changing everything. Msd told me the box will either work or it wont at all, WRONG! It would act like a rev limiter and not rev over 5400 rpm. The best was 11.22 at 117mph, on the limiter at about 1100 ft. It will go faster! Jeff
Hittin the juice Oh that sweet nectar of augmented power. :Brow: Each day I get closer and closer to switching to the NOS side. Keep it up !
NOS is so very tempting with our Buick iron. Wont see many ricers with a 200hp shot? I do wonder where are the turbo / or super charger projects? I think in the end it could be the same. Filling up a NOS bottle every day would pay for a FI system. Cause I know I would need to fill it every day. I bet I would see the NOS station more then the gas station.
