If all you want is around 300 hp there is no reason to spend a pile of money on a crate motor. The basic $1200 4-bolt Goodwrench 350 with an aluminum intake and a Holley will put out power in that neighborhood. Chevy High Performance (I think) did a series of articles with one of those a few years back and with decent exhaust should get you in that range. I would still look into a TPI for you. They start immediately in winter, have great vacuum, and will get great mileage. I can open the headlights and the wiper door at the same time with no hesitation at all-solid wooomp. With 3.70 gears (and a 700R4 overdrive) I get 18mpg city and 22+ highway. With 3.55 or 3.36 it would be even better. You can probably find a used Corvette TPI engine for $1000 and with an $800 harness/computer/fuel pump you would be set. On a 79 you can use the stock fuel tank with an 82 sending unit and TPI pump and be in better shape than me with an external pump. With the Vette TPI you would have aluminum heads that would remove weight. Even with an F-body iron-head TPI 350 it will be less weight than a stock intake. It will bolt up to everything in your car, use stock acessories, use your transmission, and the visual appeal is awesome. Don't be afraid of fuel injection, it really works.

|UPDATED|1/9/2004 8:34:13 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Your thoughts parallel our initial plan.

Polishing was in the plan if the intake was to be used.

We had wanted to use the heads, intake, carb and tuned exhaust found on the car. But, for one reason or another haven't found the right combination.

The car came to me with a 1973 sb 400 bored 040, main and rocker bearings turned 010, and a bad crank. The cylinder heads are double hump #3782461 64cc. Their history is not known.

Well, I think I'm seeing a picture with GM 350 that will accept the head, 6 bolt intake and carb. or long block that will accept the intake and carb.

Thanks for the help!

Albert

Thanks for the encouragement regarding fuel-injection. I'm still pondering!

Albert

If you have any TPI questions, I will be happy to answer them. If you want to build an engine, the Vortec heads are all the rage. Your intake will not fit them, and I have heard mixed reviews on drilling/tapping the Vortec heads for older intakes. Scoggin-Dickey offers a TPI intake to fit the Vortec heads, they got over 300 hp from a stock Vette TPI shortblock and their heads/intake. To answer what I think you asked in an earlier question: All small-block intakes interchange from 55-86, an 87-95 (non LT1) will fit if you modify the center bolt hole angles. 87-91 Corvette Aluminum heads share the older 55-86 bolt arrangement. As far as I know, all the non-vortec-head hi-po small-block crate engines have the 55-86 bolt arrangement. (Thus an F-body and a Vette TPI intake base have a different bolt arrangement but can be modified slightly to interchange.)

Mark,

The info on the head dates filled in a bunch of blanks I was seeking answers to.
I already have the intake and carb. (that I belive to be orig.)and wanted to find a long block w/umph, that will leave the engine compartment near stock in appearance. I've seen several crate 350ci reb\remaf engines for pre '86 vehicles.

Thanks for all the info, including TPI.

Albert

Thanks to all that replied. The input has helped steer us back in the direction we were heading initially.



My use of the Forum has proved to be a terrific source of quick and knowledgeable "been there" help.

Thanks again,

Albert