Buying a Chevy 350

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MXrider13
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Buying a Chevy 350

#1 Post by MXrider13 » Thu May 19, 2011 11:26 am

Ok my first Drag Car is going to be an 89 Chevy S10 it has the 262 in it. I was looking at the Chevy 350. About an hour away from my house there is a small scrap yard that has several cars with 350's most of them are early 70's chevy trucks and others are just 350's that they have. A few of them seem in good shape, but what should I look for when looking at a used 350? What problems should I look for in the engine that would be less noticeable? Also what about buying a used 350 off of Ebay what things should I look for?

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supernova
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Re: Buying a Chevy 350

#2 Post by supernova » Thu May 19, 2011 11:57 am

Those are hard questions to answer.
First off how much money do you have to send on a motor? Do you want to buy a ready to run motor or are you wanting to build something? How much power do you intend to make with this motor? Lots of questions you need to ask yourself.

With that said, I wouldn't do a used motor off of eBay.........

I would build one. I would look at the salvage yard motors first. Look the block over for any external cracks. Take the pan off and look to see if it's a 4 bolt main. Take a head off and see what the bore is to make sure it is not unboreable. The machine shop can look at the rest to make sure the block is a good one.

Start with putting the motor build down on paper and go from there.

Good luck!!
Blackhoodmafia!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC

Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs

MXrider13
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Re: Buying a Chevy 350

#3 Post by MXrider13 » Thu May 19, 2011 12:05 pm

supernova wrote:Those are hard questions to answer.
First off how much money do you have to send on a motor? Do you want to buy a ready to run motor or are you wanting to build something? How much power do you intend to make with this motor? Lots of questions you need to ask yourself.

With that said, I wouldn't do a used motor off of eBay.........

I would build one. I would look at the salvage yard motors first. Look the block over for any external cracks. Take the pan off and look to see if it's a 4 bolt main. Take a head off and see what the bore is to make sure it is not unboreable. The machine shop can look at the rest to make sure the block is a good one.

Start with putting the motor build down on paper and go from there.

Good luck!!
My budget is under $2000, more like $1000 a lot of the scrap yard motors are going for around $700-$800 dollars I've seen some cheap ones going for around $400-$500 the guy at the scrap yard said most of the 350s are from the 70s, one that is going for $800 is a Crate motor from the 90s. The guy said they could run just needs ignition. I was planning on building up the motor.

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supernova
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Re: Buying a Chevy 350

#4 Post by supernova » Thu May 19, 2011 12:45 pm

It can be done on a budget that's for sure. But sit down and make a plan even if you go over a budget, a plan can help to keep up with the cost of the project.
Blackhoodmafia!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC

Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs

MXrider13
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Re: Buying a Chevy 350

#5 Post by MXrider13 » Thu May 19, 2011 12:52 pm

supernova wrote:It can be done on a budget that's for sure. But sit down and make a plan even if you go over a budget, a plan can help to keep up with the cost of the project.
Would should I include in the plan I am trying for around a low 12 second maybe into the high 11s car.

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supernova
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Re: Buying a Chevy 350

#6 Post by supernova » Thu May 19, 2011 1:22 pm

MXrider13 wrote:
supernova wrote:It can be done on a budget that's for sure. But sit down and make a plan even if you go over a budget, a plan can help to keep up with the cost of the project.
Would should I include in the plan I am trying for around a low 12 second maybe into the high 11s car.

Yes. Your plan needs to include what your are wanting to do like how fast, how much do you want it to weigh, what size tire, what gear, what trans? Your plan needs to also include research on any and everything that it will take to run the times your loooking for. Stuff like how much power does it take to run a 11.99 in a 3300 lb car.
Blackhoodmafia!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC

Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs

MXrider13
Posts: 51
Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 3:34 pm

Re: Buying a Chevy 350

#7 Post by MXrider13 » Thu May 19, 2011 3:46 pm

supernova wrote:
MXrider13 wrote:
supernova wrote:It can be done on a budget that's for sure. But sit down and make a plan even if you go over a budget, a plan can help to keep up with the cost of the project.
Would should I include in the plan I am trying for around a low 12 second maybe into the high 11s car.

Yes. Your plan needs to include what your are wanting to do like how fast, how much do you want it to weigh, what size tire, what gear, what trans? Your plan needs to also include research on any and everything that it will take to run the times your loooking for. Stuff like how much power does it take to run a 11.99 in a 3300 lb car.
Alright what should I do to the truck to make it run that? What 4-speed trans should I look for? What gear ratios, what tires, what suspension, and what mods to the engine.

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BracketNova
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Re: Buying a Chevy 350

#8 Post by BracketNova » Thu May 19, 2011 7:18 pm

I'd browse the classified here or on RacingJunk. You may be able to snag something there...maybe even be able to here it running. What headers are you planning on running. You will need 350 S-10 swap headers, they may be spendy.

As far as the ET your looking to run - use the calculator I have linked below. Input the weight of your ride and you can play with the horsepower number untill it gets you the ET your want.
http://www.tciauto.com/Pages/418/calculators.aspx#1
...apparently you have to click 'Calculate' twice to get ET (epic fail)
"I always compare drag racing to lighting $100 bills on fire, only it's more expensive." - Craig W.

Check out my website...
http://www.findmoneyraces.com


'71 Nova E85
6.69 @ 100.2 MPH 9/6/14
1.4257 60'
1700' DA

13:1 439 BBC
3330 lbs

MXrider13
Posts: 51
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Re: Buying a Chevy 350

#9 Post by MXrider13 » Thu May 19, 2011 7:49 pm

BracketNova wrote:I'd browse the classified here or on RacingJunk. You may be able to snag something there...maybe even be able to here it running. What headers are you planning on running. You will need 350 S-10 swap headers, they may be spendy.

As far as the ET your looking to run - use the calculator I have linked below. Input the weight of your ride and you can play with the horsepower number untill it gets you the ET your want.
http://www.tciauto.com/Pages/418/calculators.aspx#1
...apparently you have to click 'Calculate' twice to get ET (epic fail)
What headers would work for a 350 in an S10 what size and what brand for around 400HP?

want-a-be
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Location: Southern Illinois

Re: Buying a Chevy 350

#10 Post by want-a-be » Thu May 19, 2011 9:05 pm

Where you from? I have a 350 block that has been prepped, except for line honing, with a rotating assembly (6"rods), good beginner solid isky cam/lifters, and maybe a few other odds and ends I could package up for you. PM me if you are interested.

I'd say you'd have to be somewhat close for it to be worth your while.

Don

MXrider13
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Re: Buying a Chevy 350

#11 Post by MXrider13 » Thu May 19, 2011 9:17 pm

want-a-be wrote:Where you from? I have a 350 block that has been prepped, except for line honing, with a rotating assembly (6"rods), good beginner solid isky cam/lifters, and maybe a few other odds and ends I could package up for you. PM me if you are interested.

I'd say you'd have to be somewhat close for it to be worth your while.

Don
I'm in South Florida so its a little far

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BracketNova
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Re: Buying a Chevy 350

#12 Post by BracketNova » Thu May 19, 2011 11:19 pm

MXrider13 wrote: What headers would work for a 350 in an S10 what size and what brand for around 400HP?
Size depends on the Engine.
If you are going to make peak HP around 5800 - 1 5/8" w/ 3" collector
If you are going to make peak HP around 6500 - 1 3/4" w/ 3 1/2" collector
http://www.summitracing.com/search/Depa ... Rank%7cAsc

Some more calculators for you...
http://2.3liter.com/Calc1.htm
"I always compare drag racing to lighting $100 bills on fire, only it's more expensive." - Craig W.

Check out my website...
http://www.findmoneyraces.com


'71 Nova E85
6.69 @ 100.2 MPH 9/6/14
1.4257 60'
1700' DA

13:1 439 BBC
3330 lbs

MXrider13
Posts: 51
Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 3:34 pm

Re: Buying a Chevy 350

#13 Post by MXrider13 » Fri May 20, 2011 11:11 am

BracketNova wrote:
MXrider13 wrote: What headers would work for a 350 in an S10 what size and what brand for around 400HP?
Size depends on the Engine.
If you are going to make peak HP around 5800 - 1 5/8" w/ 3" collector
If you are going to make peak HP around 6500 - 1 3/4" w/ 3 1/2" collector
http://www.summitracing.com/search/Depa ... Rank%7cAsc

Some more calculators for you...
http://2.3liter.com/Calc1.htm
Alright thank you! man, I think the 3" headers at first since, I believe only peaking around 5800rpm is probably better when starting.

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Bruce69Camaro
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Re: Buying a Chevy 350

#14 Post by Bruce69Camaro » Sat May 21, 2011 5:57 am

Why not buy a old block and then a crank kit and stroke it to a 383 or are you dead set on a 350?

I can remember buying a kit from Northern Autoparts and I assembled a complete 355 for under $1000.

The only thing to that was it had cast pistons but I think you could upgrade them, but the motor was just for a street car, so cast was fine.

Check with PAW, they have some good engine kits.
Those who think they know it all have no way of finding out they don't......... :scratch:

MXrider13
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Re: Buying a Chevy 350

#15 Post by MXrider13 » Sat May 21, 2011 11:58 am

Bruce69Camaro wrote:Why not buy a old block and then a crank kit and stroke it to a 383 or are you dead set on a 350?

I can remember buying a kit from Northern Autoparts and I assembled a complete 355 for under $1000.

The only thing to that was it had cast pistons but I think you could upgrade them, but the motor was just for a street car, so cast was fine.

Check with PAW, they have some good engine kits.
I'm not dead set on anything yet, stroking the engine out to 383 might be something to look into well it still cost under $1000.

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