TSP 350 Level 1 Buildup Thread Resurrection (Jim Weise)

This one's directed at JW (at least for now)...

I'm interested in the possibility of upgrading a '72 Buick 350 engine as outlined in first post of JW's "TSP 350 Level 1 Buildup..." thread. The original concept of using relatively low-tech standard parts (i.e., small flat tappet cam, worked-over iron heads, stock Buick rockers (?), and so on) to build an around town cruiser-type SBB engine for a Skylark/GS350 was right up my alley... Especially if it produces 1 HP/cu. in. and about 400# TQ.

As a reminder:

"Shortblock

• 1971 Buick 350, complete Skylark core in good condition, standard bore
• .030 over Speed pro pistons
• Actual compression is 9.4-1
• Full block cleanup and inspection
• Brass frost plugs
• My special mix of TA and standard cam bearings
• ACL Rod and main bearings, .010 under
• Magged and ground crank, set to my 350 spec of .002/.002 for the mains and rods
• Resized 71 rods, with TA bolts
• Standard oil pickup sizes, with stock oil pan and hardware
• Remanufactured balancer
• Honed with a torque plate (we machined our own)
• Moly piston rings
• Rebuilt stock 71 350 timing cover with booster plate and STG 1 60 lbs spring.
• TA 212-350 cam, with 218/230 duration .453 lift, 110 LC, standard Buick Delphi check ball lifters
• HD steel replacement timing chain set.
• Cam installed at 107* (3*advanced)..."

Have you tweaked this basic combo over the years? How about piston and piston ring-set availability? Hydraulic lifter availability? Your "special mix" of cam bearings? Part numbers?

I'd appreciate getting the latest details regarding the short-block.

Thank you in advance, Jim.

 

As I'm currently going to have a 71 350 to put together soon, I'm curious as well.

 

Thank you for the video Larry, but not exactly an example of using relatively inexpensive low-tech parts (i.e., lower compression, flat tappet cam, ported stock or TA Stg 1 manifold, etc). Also, I read all the way through the original "TSP Level 1 350..." and noticed that it drifted away from what I was looking for. All good information though. So, thank you for that.

What I'm looking for is info on currently available piston and ring sets, low-tech/low-cost tweaks to the original combo (if any), etc.

 

Got it! Thank you, Larry.

 

You might want to start buying up good used parts/ components as they will be half of what new stuff will run you....

 

Here's some .030 forged on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/350-BUICK-...p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

Holly, huge 24cc dish on those!

 

How much would that dish size lower compression?

 

Get these babies, a little work, open pin end up, offset grind, steel gaskets & you'll be zero deck.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NASCAR-CAR...p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

Those pistons give about 8:1 minimum or 9:1 with milling.

 

Even at zero deck thats a huge dish...

 

This is what you want.

https://www.buyracingparts.com/pist...totec-forged-350-buick-dished-piston-kit.html

Pair them with the $600 Monlar rods and done. The huge hassle we had getting a crank offset ground, was expensive and frustrating. It took a ruined crank, lost $ on one machine shop and then another big machine bill at the second shop and I had to donate a 30,000 mile crank to the cause so that enough stroke could be offset ground in. A worn crank wouldn't give enough meat for the offset grind. It works great, but so so so much hassle for a few cubes.

Or Diamond Pistons:

 

Some dude () sold me a set and damn, they're like a work of art, lol. And light!

 

It’s the best bang for the buck $600 pistons, $600 rods. Easy build just watch the details on bearing clearances.

Back 8 years ago it was $1200 for Herche rods, and $1000 for Diamond pistons.

 

Better update your thinking on pricing Sean.. Scott is selling those Auto tec's for $700 bucks now..

Most of my friends in the business have gone away from autotec in the last couple years.. scatterbrain pricing that is all over the place, different every time y0u call, and with the huge price increases lately, I would rather have the Diamonds for a bit more.. You try and go custom with anything, and they end up being the same price, with the Diamond be a superior piece.

Product variation, changes and pricing is just part of the game here, and sometimes it's hard to keep up

 

Good points Jim thanks. Happy with my diamonds and my JE are also nice.