keithb7 Posted February 28 Posted February 28 Good times are nigh! I’m going down another path with a project I’ve always wanted to do. Re-build a Chevy 350. What will I put it in? Unconfirmed yet, but I have something in mind. (no it won’t be going into one of my old Mopars). All I need is the block, as I’m going to go a bit nuts and likely hot-rod it up, to a 383 stroker. This is a 1980 4 bolt main 350 SBC. I picked it up for practically nothing. It’ll surely end up being one of the most expensive “free” things I ever acquired.
Los_Control Posted February 28 Posted February 28 Should be a fun project ... I was told the Chevrolet 350 produced more examples then any engine in history .... simply made for so many decades and popular. I have one in my 1991 daily driver truck and it is a great engine. I'm a fan of the early 350 and there is several directions such as a 383 stroker .... it will be a good project. Curios to see what it ends up in. I have a off topic 1970 Dodge 318 engine ... again a great engine .... looking forward to building it back to stock 2bbl engine .... old engines need love too!
Sniper Posted February 28 Posted February 28 I don't know the SBC, but I know enough to know that there were various changes over the years. Just be sure you know if there is anything specific about the block to keep in mind. I am pretty sure an 80 would still be a two piece rear main seal setup and no roller cam provisions. Not sure about any other issues, well I am but those are head related so not applicable here.
keithb7 Posted February 28 Author Posted February 28 (edited) Yes @Sniper2 pc rear seal. 1980 yr block. In other news…Well this happened fast. I wasn’t planning for a recipient car until next year. Yet, when the right deal comes along at the right price… The stars all aligned. The car gods gave me many signs. It feels like it was meant to be. Well that’s the story I told my wife. Literally while I was looking at this 1980 Corvette this morning, (Has a blown engine, threw a rod) my 2nd grandson was born. Off to the hospital now to go visit the boy who could be the future owner some day! Here she is. Flat tire and all. Edited February 28 by keithb7 1
Veemoney Posted March 1 Posted March 1 That blown engine block may be salvageable, just won't know till you get it apart for sure.
Ulu Posted March 1 Posted March 1 Matching numbers? I’d try to save the engine. If not matching? Any engine that fits.
keithb7 Posted March 2 Author Posted March 2 I’ll pull the engine and break it open. Investigate the failure and go from there. If it is a numbers matching block and is a 4-bolt main, and usable I’ll rebuild it. Otherwise I’ll use the block above that I recently acquired.
CarlN-NDC Posted Monday at 06:28 PM Posted Monday at 06:28 PM Keith, what does this Chevy 350 engine project / 1980 Corvette mean for the fate of your old MoPars? Are you going to be breaking your rule of 2 vintage cars at a time, or is one of them going to have to find a new home? 🤔
keithb7 Posted Monday at 10:34 PM Author Posted Monday at 10:34 PM (edited) Being honest, I have been craving a new, different car project for a couple of years. I learned a ton on my Mopars. I took my Plymouth as far as I was prepared to. I’m just not into bodywork and painting. It was a challenging decision but I have arrived at selling my Plymouth. The Corvette moves in. It took me a few years to come to that conclusion. My Chrysler isn’t going anywhere. I’ll be prepping it for spring driving very soon. My brain craves new learning. New things that I want to accomplish, drive me. A SBC 350 project has been on my mind for about 10 years. I’ve brushed it aside like old trauma. Yet it won’t go away. The desire is still there to build a 383 stroker. If I could keep every car that I owned, I would. I’ve enjoyed them all. In reality I cannot. Storage space is an issue. Hoarding cars is an issue for me. So, I am changing it up. Checking off a bucket list item with the 350 project. Now is the right time for me, for several reasons. To be clear, the decision for my car change-up is not related to generating new YouTube content. I am not motivated to change cars, just to grow my YT channel. I will continue to feed my viewers with content. I do enjoy doing that. In the future my YT channel will be a mix of my ‘38 Chrysler and my ‘80 Corvette. I do hope I can continue to create interesting content that others find helpful. If not, oh well. I’ll busy enjoying my cars either way. A new car project is exciting and invigorating. I’m certainly there today. Edited Tuesday at 12:00 AM by keithb7 2
Los_Control Posted Monday at 10:45 PM Posted Monday at 10:45 PM NO!!! ... this is so wrong ... you need a 350 1986 vortec or newer ... you need roller rockers and computerized timing .... a whole new world from a old clunker 350. And I want to follow along You can never please everybody .... carry on 1
Sniper Posted Monday at 11:59 PM Posted Monday at 11:59 PM 1 hour ago, keithb7 said: It was a challenging decision but I have arrived at selling my Plymouth. I used to own a 38 Plymouth coupe. My favorite body style.
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