I know this has been covered previously but I was unable to find any real definitive answers. If you were going to build a SBB 350, which year would be your best bet to start off with? Ive read the newer blocks didnt have the oiling issues of the younger castings but what year does that start? Is there any problem getting larger sized pistons 30 or 60 over? Im kicking around the idea of swapping out the 300 in my 65 Skylark for the 350. Ive read about the need for the 350 motor mounts but most of what Ive read says its pretty much a plug and play straight forward set up. I think the appeal to it is the update in the technology and available parts for the 350 verses the 300 can only make it easier to deal with. Im looking at just building a 350 that isnt a slouch and can hold its own on the street and will only see a strip maybe once or twice a year. Any info the 350 Gurus could provide would be great, if it helps Im also looking at swapping the ST 300 with a TH 350 as well (Ill save that one for the tranny thread). Thanks, Doug
I'm sure you can get a better informed answer from someone like Sean (sean Buick 76), but FWIK a '73 or newer block will have the better coolant passages on the heads and the stronger cap screw rods. It will also have the EGR setup too though. Looks like you are in California, so I'm not sure if you will need to have whatever you do smog equipped. You will need to decide "how" you want to make your power with the 350 (naturally aspirated vs power adders). I know little in that arena, so I will let others chime in there. Personally, I am doing the same as you are considering but going with a 200-4R to get overdrive.
Ok cool 73 or newer heads on the coolant passages and the blocks have the stronger caps. I'm gona stay away from the smog side of it. Naturally aspirated will take care of what I'm looking for. Thanks for the info Joe, Doug
ill chime in and say im not 100% on the 350 but i have a 65 lark that im going from a 300 2 bbl to a 340 4bbl the great part is that it is a direct bolt in. TA bringing out heads eventually you shuld be able to do pretty good numbers. if you just want pure power just go 455
You know Dan, I've been goin over it in my head and the only real draw back that I can see to the 455 is just doing the swap. I've never heard anyone complain about it after it was in, set up and all the bugs worked out of it. But currently I was just looking at an easier swap that will be reliable, a little easier to locate parts for and that was about it really. Doug
The other thing you have to consider is weight the 455 is very heavy. now i dont know how much power you are trying to get or what you want your car application to be but with the setup im going with i should have over 300 hp. the other thing you can consider is trying to find a 64 aluminium top end for the 300.
Dan, I'm gona stay away from the 64 aluminum that's a headache I don't really want. For now I'd like to forego the weight of the 455 and just deal with something around the same size + or - a little. Doug
i hear yea there. thats why i went for the 340 stock its 65 more horsepower and 65 more torque in the same package. i just like the originality and the fact im gonna use he car for road course racing.
That's an interesting concept, I understand about the originality part of it. I thought of finding another 300 and building it too. Doug
I like the 350 in there too. It is pretty easy to hook up, I did this in my 65 Sedan. the 300 looked like this: (bolt got in the intake busted stuff up) 350 went in great. I even used the alt bracket and ps bracket from the 300...and the pulleys too! I used a th350 and it bolted right in. Just have to figure out how to hook up the trannie kickdown (still-I'm shifting by hand!) No spring change in front, handles fine!
I put a 350 in my 65 last Winter. Just use the 300 motor mounts and you'll be fine. I used a 200-4r Trans. When dropping in the engine, make sure that you put the long bottom exhaust manifold bolts in first before it's all the way in. Once it's in you won't have enough room to put them in. The shock tower will be in the way. I also used the 350 power steering pump brackets. They let the pump sit lower. PONCH
I am also considering this same swap with my 64 300... Do you think the original 300 A/C compressor bracket would fit the 350? Are there any aftermarket intake manifolds available for the 350? Thanks for any info.
I gotta agree with Dan on this one. I'm in the midst of aquiring a 340. My 300 was pretty close to being maxed out and I went with a 350. I don't really care for it so i'm looking at the 340. My 300 Heads and ported Exhaust manifolds will fit on it. I have Three Intakes for it and am going to try the "Doc" Center seperator on one of them. I'll paint it Green and swear it's a 300. I'll have my 355 air cleaner on it too. Then i'll wait till TA comes out with thier heads and give them a try. I don't have a new Catalog from them so i'll have to give them a call. The last time I got Two and was instructed to give One to Denny M.:TU: PONCH
From what I've been told and heard the A/C and power steering brackets fit. The power steering pump will sit high but with no issues. Ponch, what didn't you like about the 350? Doug
I'm not really sure. A lot ofg little things really. I've had a lot of trouble with the Distributer, Carb is too touchy. I've got an 800 on it from my 455. Seem's like i'm always adjusting this or that. One day it run's good another like crap. My 300 was the same all the time. Maybe i'm being too picky, but I don't have a lot of time to be messing around with it. Plus I never know what kind of mood i'm going to be in when I mess with it. I take too many pills and it messes up my head. Most of the time I just sit and stare at it. I want it to run when i'm ready. But who knows? It took me a Year to put it in, I just might leave it alone.o No: PONCH:sleep:
I will have to agree with ponch i havent had to do a thing to my 300 always runs no problem. when i first started driving i had a 70 skylark with a 350. my dad was always fiddeling with the carb. im going with a carter or i also have a rochester.
The air passages on the 455 carbs are different than those on the 350 carbs. The jetting is also different... I would swap on a stock 350 carb.
the 300 is a big bore short stroke motor and it will make power with the right combination. I intend to prove it with my 67. i plan to make at or near 400 hp naturally aspirated with the TA heads and then turbocharge it for big power in a small package. remember the 300 is essentially a GN v6 with 2 extra cylinders.
