[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by FLOutlander

How can I determine what year this 350 is?

Get the numbers of the block and look them up here:
http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.html

Also, other than taking it apart, is there a way to see if it's a 4-bolt main or 2-bolt main?

If it is listed as both on the info above, the only way to tell is to pull the pan. It isn't a big deal if it isn't a 4bolt, They aren't that significantly stronger especially for what you are dealing with.

I think the Quadrajets are something like 750 or even 780cfm. Someone once told me that a Holly or Edelbrock 4-barrel in the 600-650cfm range would be a great replacement. Is this true?

Q-jets are Vacuum operated. The engine pulls in what it needs. I personally would put a new Q-jet back on it. If I couldn't chose that I would go with and Edelbrock.

Also, what type of carb do I need? I look trough catalogs and see things like vacuum secondaries, mechanical choke, electric choke etc. How do I know which one I will need?

Again, it orginally had a Vacuum secondary carb with a mechanical choke. I would still get a vaccuum secondary and use the same choke setup. (just me)

Being an '82, this truck has HEI ignition. About a year ago, I replaced the entire distributor, cap, rotor, and wires with brand new items. Just FYI.

It being an '82 and 2WD in only came with a 305, therefore it had the ESC (electronic Spark Control).

As mentioned earlier, I don't know wether it's the TH350 or TH400. How can I find out?

Compare the trans pan to this:

Is this something I can do myself or will that require some mashining work like an engine does?

It is like building a motor, it will require some specialized tools. Check this link for the books: http://www.atsg.biz/cgi-bin/shopper....26pricecode%3D
If you do rebuild it make sure it has all the updates in it. '82 was the first and worst year of the 700R4, so it is no suprise that is has be rebuild a few times...

How do I determine what type of gears I have in there? 2.73, 3.23....is there a way to tell?

Is the RPO code list still in the glove box? It may be listed there. It is most likely going to be 3.08 unless it was special ordered with something else. Otherwise you can change the fluid (since it probably could use it) and check the gear numbers stamped on the ring gear.

Do they make 3-inch body lifts for 2WD trucks? What about 3-4 inch suspension lifts? Just curious.

http://www.fabtechmotorsports.com/html/home.html makes a 3" spring lift for these. http://www.dogsofdesign.com/fabtechp...alog/Chevy.pdf

Does anyone know what kind of horsepower and torque I should expect at the rear wheels with a stock 350 like mine?

165hp and 240ft/lbs from a stock '82 305. The 350's in the burbs and 4x4s in '82 had 185hp and 275ft/lbs

Also, when I have the block at the mashine shop, will they bore it larger than stock? If so it will increase the c.i.d. of the engine. Right?

Only if it needs overboring. It will incread the displacement, but not enough to make a significant change.

Rear End....I'm 99% sure that the truck has 3.08 gears. I'm either keeping these or swapping them for a set of 2.73 in order to maximize fuel economy. Good idea?

If you want to maximize enconomy you are going the wrong way. I would either stick with what you have or move up no more than 3.42.

Edelbrock Performer Intake, Performer Cam, and Performer 650 Carb.

Sounds like a good plan to me.