Winter 2020 (Now Spring 2023) 350 Fresh-Up Project

Discussion in 'Small Block Tech' started by knucklebusted, Mar 13, 2021.

  1. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    It did OK for disassembly and I have used it when my last 455 build. I'm careful.
     
  2. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    I now have an aluminum intake (lighter), new valve springs, keepers, retainers and a larger oil pickup. I got a TA 290-94H and lifters with it. Still undecided on using the cam or selling it. I do plan on getting the compression up to at least 9-9.5:1.
     
  3. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    At this point, might as well get pistons too & get 'er up to 10-10.5 (easy for me to say, right?:)). Either new TRW cast or maybe even the forged ones Shawn has for sale.
     
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  4. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    I'm waiting to find out how the bores look.
     
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  5. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Compression really makes aftermarket n/a cams respond the way they should. Don't wimp out.... go 10.5-11.0 to 1.:D
     
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  6. 72gs4spd

    72gs4spd Well-Known Member

    I went with 10.6-1 as recommended by my machinist. He feels 11-1 is pushing it on 93 pump gas. That .4 is a little bit of a safety cushion. Especially when you fill up with 93 but get 91 LOL
     
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  7. Fox's Den

    Fox's Den 355Xrs

    To be safe you could always put in 5 gal of race gas with each fill up. I have been doing that for the 25+ years my motor has been run I am at 10.6 on comp. If you are going to use the alum heads you can go to 11.1
     
  8. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    I build my engines for the least common denominator, aka, bad gas. If I had aluminum heads, I'd feel better but I'm not shelling out for those on a 350. If I'm going to buy aluminum heads, I am going 455.

    I built my 455 to be 9.5:1 CR with aluminum heads and I can run the cheapest thing I can find if I have to. I has never pinged like it is. I figure a 1/4 point lower with iron heads and 91 or better will insure the 350 never pings either. It never pinged with 87 with the 8.25:1 CR previous stock motor.
     
  9. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    8.5 compression 71's required low lead fuel. When unleaded was the only fuel available, my 71 stock 350 with stock timing, vacuum advance used to spark knock under load in high gear. Stock 308 ratio.
    Vacuum advance will do that it seemed....
     
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  10. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    I don't think they had the best quench in 71 with low compression pistons about 0.050 down in the hole. I plan on correcting that oversight with a true 9-ish compression ratio.
     
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  11. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    My early December 70 built 350 had the steel shim gaskets too....:)
    May have been a real 260 hp.:D
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2021
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  12. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    Mine is composite 0.040 thick. Looked original.
     
  13. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    You know I have steel gaskets when you need some...:)
     
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  14. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    Heads are apart and being checked out. I'll take the valve springs and attaching hardware over next week for him.

    Making progress.
     
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  15. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    This car has been down a year. A build thread that has gone nowhere. Getting really frustrated. I'm going to go pick up the engine. I'm tired of getting delayed. The local machine shop says they can get basic machining done in 30-45 days.
     
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  16. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    Hate to "like" your post but... Less than 6 mos. to the Nationals & was sure hoping to get to take a ride in it this time! Keep us posted.
     
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  17. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    Yep, it's depressing. He came highly rated and with good references from people I actually know. I don't know if Buick scares him or if he's that overwhelmed with work. Either way, I got to get some movement.
     
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  18. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    I have the block back in my possession. He charged me $155 to resurface the flywheel, micropolish the crank, disassemble the heads, clean the block and take out the cam bearings, freeze plugs and threaded plugs in the back of the block.

    Now, I have to sit on it until the local machine shop has an opening or the 350 in Texas comes up for sale cheap.
     
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  19. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    I'm afraid the automotive machine shop is a dying breed. I watch some vids on Jim's Automotive Machine Shop channel (https://youtube.com/channel/UCN0rAGKAOHjPLCVwvKPLX9w). Very interesting but how many kids want to do this & who's going to teach them?
     
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  20. Fox's Den

    Fox's Den 355Xrs

    be patient everything is just taking longer Now the problem is older guys retiring or the help is missing and one guy is doing all the work now.
     
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