I've been looking around on here for some builds, but there's way too many variables. Im going to be rebuilding my 350 in my engine class. Im in the GM-ASEP program at a tech college. The engine is already completely torn apart and scattered throughout my Cavalier until I can drop it of at school on Monday. It's out of my 1970 GS, and already has TA headers and exhaust that it will be mated to. Im looking for some suggestions on a budget build. I've been looking at those rebuild kits on ebay from Falcon, but don't really see anyone talking about them on here. I don't have much experience in all this Buick product world. Between Poston and TA and everything else that offers performance parts, I just want some advice on a good powered build. Oh, and it already had either a Holley 750 carb or an edelbrock on it when I acquired it and tore it apart. I can't remember which I'll have to look in my back seat today!
I'll sound like a broken record here, but first and foremost OIL MODS. You'll here everyone on here preach it till theyre blue in the face. Beyond that, its all in what you want to do with the engine. Street applications will go one way while primarily strip use will go another. As for parts, figure out what you want out of the engine (and your budget, which if youre anything like me you'll absolutely blow) and call up TA performance and ask for Tim or Mike. They were really helpful in helping me select a cam, converter, etc. that would all work well together. Thats not to say that TA is the only place to get parts for your build (although the 350 is more limited then, say, a 455), but they will be the most expansive source you have and probably one of the most knowledgable (the other being this board, of course!)
It'll be street use. Not to say I won't take it down the strip once though. My primary goal, is to be able to push the gas pedal and smoke the tires!:3gears:
You're barkin up the right tree then! With the torque that is the Buick v8's bread and butter, it wont take much to achieve that goal!!
Hello, Please let us know your name - we're on a first name basis around here. Last year I bought one of the Falcon kits, and I still have it here in the box waiting for the funds to get the machine shop part going. Before you buy a kit, I think you should go over all of the parts you have to see if a kit is really necessary. If you can keep your pistons, then all you need is the bearing and gasket sets, and that will save a lot right there. Hands down, the most recommended performance upgrades I have heard are: cam, headers, and porting. And the biggest CAUTION is to mind the Buick bearing clearances as they are much tighter than the Chevy motors. The most often recommended cam based on your stated performance objective is the TA-212. You already have the headers, so a gasket match porting as a part of your rebuild and you will probably get where you want to be. Many may also suggest to switch back to a Q-jet too. Get in touch with Sean Gaskin (sean Buick 76). He is writing a book on the 350 as we speak! He can help guide you far better than I can. Good luck! And keep us updated as you progress.
Send me a PM and I can help you further with your build.... I have an e-mail I can copy and paste for you... Make sure the machine shop is doing the measuring and inspecting BEFORE you order ANYTHING... :beer
Hello. My name is Colin. And Im a Buiholick. (Hi Colin)! Sorry I couldn't resist. If I remember correctly, it's been like 5 years since we tore the motor apart, there were 1 or 2 pistons that were trashed. Either the pistons themselves or the connecting rods, can't fully remember. Im glad we only got to drive it a few time before we decided to tear the whole car apart, cuz it probly would've ended catastrophically. There was lots of metal in the oil pan. When I unload all the parts at school on monday I'll have a better idea of what Im dealing with. Discovered I have a an Edelbrock 750 carb. No good? I find the term Q-jet on here alot. Better than upgrades? Sounds kinda like the intake. We have the stock intake, JetHotted. No point in buying the TA right? I'll have to better understand the spacer thing tho. Everyone seems to say 2" spacer on the intake. I don't know how much capability my school's engine shop has. I'm sure i'll be able to do some kinda of head work. I know it won't be Jim Burek work, but im sure it'll help. Couple of pics. As she arrived from Colorado. And as she sits now. Completely gutted, inside storage.
You may want to read this thread before you make that comparison. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=205242&highlight=burek
It's been about 5 years since I was active on here. And while Im sorry for whatever may have been wronged towards you, please don't let sour feeling towards a name put this subject in the middle of that. I appreciate it.
Good looking car! I am in the midst of a 350 build myself. I didn't buy any sort of kit but I did source a lot of parts from ebay and other suppliers. Shop around and get good prices for what you need. I had my Buick in the same condition you do in your 2nd pic at one time, although in my situation the can on the tire said "Bud Light" instead of "Dr. Pepper"
Haha, yeah. If it were a race car it'd be Dr.Pepper sponsored! I don't drink. Yes I am 25. Dr.Pepper and Kitty Cocktails are my drink of choice while out.:beers2: We've got the interior ripped out and completely reupholstered. The front fenders and hood were acid dipped and por 15'd. Im not sure what we're gunna do for the rest of the body. Read good things about bead blasting. Gunna have to ask my engine teacher about local stuff, im sure he'll know someone who does good prep and paint work. The trans im going to rebuild with a B&M shift kit in my auto trans class.
Glad to see another mid-20s guy playin with Buicks!! Taulbee2277 and I often find ourselves in the vast minority age wise (27). Sounds like youve got a good base for a nice street car, look forward to hearing about your progress!!
When I was 18 I went in half for this with my older buddy who at the time when I met him had 4 70 gsx clones and a real 70 gsx. We've worked on it together, and right now due to him moving into a smaller place, the car's sitting in storage. Hopefully with the help from school to rebuild it I can maybe have it done this year or next, and then maybe buy him out of it.
Boy that second pic looks familiar! I agree with oil mods must be done. I drilled all the oil feed holes and have a TA timing cover with all the goodies in the oil pump. Good lookin' Skylark!
be realistic with your budget and skills . outline your gameplan . be sure you do your homework and spend time and wise money on the shortblock - just like a good house - motor needs a good foundation . when its installed its the one piece you don't want to mess with unless you have to . everything else can be taken on n off fairly easily . other than that its TA or mod'd stock intake , careful cam/converter selection , head mods and everything else these guys are sayin . and your tech classes are probably filled with small block chevy guys right ? not the same motor so you'll have to combo info from class and here - alot of the basic principles will apply but the specifics will be dif . del
So it turns out I may have to replace connecting rods, as they and the pistons weren't in my mess of engine parts unloaded at school. Not sure if we'll be able to locate them. Any suggestions for reputable conn rods? Also, where abouts can I get a Q-Jet?
Post up in the parts wanted section. Id be willing to bet somebody on here has some good conn rods they'd hook you up with (typically at a far better price than almost anywhere else). Bear in mind during planning your build that resources/parts availability for a Buick 350 is far less than our chebby counterparts...
Seems like there are differing opinions on the oil mod with respect to it being needed for street applications. If for the track, I think no one would tell you not to. Ditto for porting (or gasket matching) the heads. I've read in more places than one that the returns might not be so much if you dont also do other Hi-perf mods/bolt-ons. The factory cast iron intake is supposedly nearly as good as TA's cast aluminum version, just 40 lbs heavier, and about $300 (?) less. Regarding carbs, the Quadrajet is what these came with, and one board member/vendor,TechG8 from Everyday Performance, LLC, in CT can likely hook you up with some solid merch. I'd recommend buying the book you see on ebay for Performance Buicks. I think the author is Jefferson Bryant (Help me out here guys). He goes thru each part of the motor and talks about various V8s and the best ways to make power, and proper ways to proceed from where you are now.
