engine recommendations - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Blackhawkdc · 12-12-2002, 01:11 AM

here's what I've got. Its a 638 casting from an '87 3/4ton pickup. Its only a 2-bolt main and will need to be bored out to .060 also. How radical can I build this? How much horse can this engine take until the bottom end disintigrates? I would really like to build this engine up into a 600 horse blown engine. Possibly a 383 stroker. I've heard that if everything is balanced, you should never have a problem. How true is this? Or should I just build a mild 350 and sell it to make some money? I've got the entire engine. Heads, crank, intake, everything.

Thanks in advance for all you're recs and opinions.

Hooter · 12-12-2002, 01:17 AM

Its a 2 bolt main. Don't waste your time with a 2 bolt main 350 when 4 bolt mains are so abundant

cableguy0 · 12-12-2002, 02:20 AM

i would never trust a block thats been bored .060 over especially a newer casting. i would just build a mild motor and sell it or just buy a rebuildable motor from someone build that thing to hold 600 horsepower or whatever. balancing is a must but balancing alone doesnt make a bottom end bulletproof. you need to use forged rods and pistons and also a steel crank to handle that much power and actually stay together

Blackhawkdc · 12-12-2002, 09:48 AM

4-bolt main blocks are relatively difficult to find in my area. They've all been grabbed up by hotrodders before the vehicle even hits the junk yard, and everyone wants a bit of money for a rebuildable 4-bolt main core. So I grabbed something cheap to start with. I guess I'll just build a little sleeper for someone to toss in their S10.

jmil1974 · 12-12-2002, 11:47 AM

Everything I have ever heard from experienced builders says that 2 bolt mains are just fine for 98-99% of street engines, just use a billet main cap and ARP fasteners and you should be just fine up to 450-500 HP, depending on torque, esp if it's balanced. I know LOTS of 2 bolt LT1s runnin around with that kind of power and more with no issues. Obviously 4 bolt mains are better but you have to be in huge power levels to NEED it.

I'd build a mild, budget-minded stroker (no more than 400HP) and sell it or keep it, depending on what you can get for it.

GMC JUNKIE TOO · 12-12-2002, 01:30 PM

Two bolts are okay when GM was producing performance smallblocks they were only two bolt mains. I have an early 2bolt 327 block with over 400 hp it does fine just my two cents.

weasel29gm · 12-12-2002, 08:30 PM

Mild and sell!!

da-burb · 12-12-2002, 08:40 PM

Blackhawk, if you ever need a 4bolt, come and see me. I have quite a few of them tucked away. I have been saving them until the price is right. I was talking to an engine builder at Wagamons and he said they are having trouble finding cores to build. The time is near.......

**COBALT** · 12-12-2002, 08:59 PM

I've even heard you can get refurbished 4bolt main decks from Cummins....

Look for '73-'82 Chevy trucks. Find a piece of crap with a 350 in it. It'll be a 4bolt main. You might get the truck for $200 bucks or less. Junk what you don't need.

PanelDeland · 12-14-2002, 04:46 PM

The hot set-up from all my research has told me is to use a good seasoned 2-bolt block and have it fitted with aftermarket 4-bolt mains.There is supposedly more meat in the 2-bolt main webs and the aftermarket caps use a splayed outer bolts to give the bottom end more rigidity.I personally would only build an all out motor from a block that only had to go .030 over to help keep stregnth in the cylinder walls but, that's just me.
If the block has to go to .060 I would opt out or build a mild street motor with it.

I think 600 is too much for 2-bolt caps.I wouldn't go over about 400-450 with the 2-bolt.

View Poll Results: How shall I build it?
Stroker!!	10	45.45%
blown baby	3	13.64%
mild build	6	27.27%
junk it	3	13.64%
Voters: 22. You may not vote on this poll

12-12-2002, 01:11 AM	#1
Blackhawkdc 440 american Horses Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Anoka, MN USA Posts: 470	engine recommendations here's what I've got. Its a 638 casting from an '87 3/4ton pickup. Its only a 2-bolt main and will need to be bored out to .060 also. How radical can I build this? How much horse can this engine take until the bottom end disintigrates? I would really like to build this engine up into a 600 horse blown engine. Possibly a 383 stroker. I've heard that if everything is balanced, you should never have a problem. How true is this? Or should I just build a mild 350 and sell it to make some money? I've got the entire engine. Heads, crank, intake, everything. Thanks in advance for all you're recs and opinions. __________________ Seth Petro 1969 Chev Short Step 425hp 350, TH400, big tires, fast truck 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 1991 Saturn SL1 - gas mileage! (and free) 1977 Buick LeSabre - for sale May America bless God, and may God bless America

12-12-2002, 01:17 AM	#2
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	Its a 2 bolt main. Don't waste your time with a 2 bolt main 350 when 4 bolt mains are so abundant __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

12-12-2002, 02:20 AM	#3
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	i would never trust a block thats been bored .060 over especially a newer casting. i would just build a mild motor and sell it or just buy a rebuildable motor from someone build that thing to hold 600 horsepower or whatever. balancing is a must but balancing alone doesnt make a bottom end bulletproof. you need to use forged rods and pistons and also a steel crank to handle that much power and actually stay together __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

12-12-2002, 09:48 AM	#4
Blackhawkdc 440 american Horses Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Anoka, MN USA Posts: 470	4-bolt main blocks are relatively difficult to find in my area. They've all been grabbed up by hotrodders before the vehicle even hits the junk yard, and everyone wants a bit of money for a rebuildable 4-bolt main core. So I grabbed something cheap to start with. I guess I'll just build a little sleeper for someone to toss in their S10. __________________ Seth Petro 1969 Chev Short Step 425hp 350, TH400, big tires, fast truck 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 1991 Saturn SL1 - gas mileage! (and free) 1977 Buick LeSabre - for sale May America bless God, and may God bless America

12-12-2002, 11:47 AM	#5
jmil1974 Ain't we cute? Join Date: May 2002 Location: Friendswood, TX Posts: 700	Everything I have ever heard from experienced builders says that 2 bolt mains are just fine for 98-99% of street engines, just use a billet main cap and ARP fasteners and you should be just fine up to 450-500 HP, depending on torque, esp if it's balanced. I know LOTS of 2 bolt LT1s runnin around with that kind of power and more with no issues. Obviously 4 bolt mains are better but you have to be in huge power levels to NEED it. I'd build a mild, budget-minded stroker (no more than 400HP) and sell it or keep it, depending on what you can get for it. __________________ 69 C10 2WD LWB Fleet 350/350 power front disc conversion (6 lug disc kit from gmcpauls) and new engine, PS, A/C, fresh fluids, SHE DRIVES! FOR SALE $3900

12-12-2002, 01:30 PM	#6
GMC JUNKIE TOO THE QUICKER FIXERUPER Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ok Posts: 615	Two bolts are okay when GM was producing performance smallblocks they were only two bolt mains. I have an early 2bolt 327 block with over 400 hp it does fine just my two cents.

12-12-2002, 08:30 PM	#7
weasel29gm SLOW BUT SURE,BUT CLOSER Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: eleanor wv usa Posts: 3,096	Mild and sell!! __________________ 69 C-10, OWNED 38YRS... 350 over 30, 350 Turbo, 3:73 Posi P/S, P/B Black with red and black int. ''LOVE THESE OLD ''TRUCKS.......

12-12-2002, 08:40 PM	#8
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	Blackhawk, if you ever need a 4bolt, come and see me. I have quite a few of them tucked away. I have been saving them until the price is right. I was talking to an engine builder at Wagamons and he said they are having trouble finding cores to build. The time is near....... __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

12-12-2002, 08:59 PM	#9
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	I've even heard you can get refurbished 4bolt main decks from Cummins.... Look for '73-'82 Chevy trucks. Find a piece of crap with a 350 in it. It'll be a 4bolt main. You might get the truck for $200 bucks or less. Junk what you don't need. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

12-14-2002, 04:46 PM	#10
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	The hot set-up from all my research has told me is to use a good seasoned 2-bolt block and have it fitted with aftermarket 4-bolt mains.There is supposedly more meat in the 2-bolt main webs and the aftermarket caps use a splayed outer bolts to give the bottom end more rigidity.I personally would only build an all out motor from a block that only had to go .030 over to help keep stregnth in the cylinder walls but, that's just me. If the block has to go to .060 I would opt out or build a mild street motor with it. I think 600 is too much for 2-bolt caps.I wouldn't go over about 400-450 with the 2-bolt. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

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