My engine combo. Comments or suggestions welcome

[Tx Firefighter]

First off, let me say that I am working with what I have already and a limited budget, so there are some compromises here.

• Early 350 4 bolt main block, 2 piece rear seal, flat tappet cam. Bored .030, all fresh. Dished pistons
• New Vortec heads from Summit
• Comp cams 268H High Energy
• Edelbrock Performer RPM Vortec intake
• 600 Holley or 750 Carter AFB
• stock ramhorn exhaust manifolds for now. Dual exhaust with mufflers.
• HEI

I believe the dished pistons and the 64cc chambers on the vortec heads will give me just above 9:1 compression ratio. Also, the 268 cam won't go beyond the stock vortec valve springs. I am buying an intake anyway, so I am going with the Performer RPM to allow future growth. In the past, I have always felt my Performer RPM intakes noticeably outperformed to regular Performer even on a mild engine like this. I Have both the 600 and 750 carbs and will likely run the 600 to start with. I will get headers when I can spare some more cash down the road.

here is what comp says about the cam...

268H High Energy™ is our most versatile cam.
It is a great high performance cam for small blocks and a powerful cam for big blocks. With its noticeable idle and great all-around power, the 268H cam is great for daily driven performance vehicles. The 268H cam is an ideal cam for pickup drivers who want major power increases. It is also good for big blocks towing heavy loads equipped with lower optional rear end gears.


268 adv duration, 218 at .050 duration, .454 lift, 110 degree centerline

This is for my 63 truck, daily driven, lots of highway miles, auto transmission and 3.07 rear gears with a 28 inch tall tire.

Anyone care to offer opinions or desktop dyno this to see what I can expect ?

[djracer]

If you maximize the tuning on it it should run pretty well. I'd say mid to upper 14 quarters if you put in a small stall converter.

[Outlaw72]

I read in another thread that you were having issues finding a good reputable engine builder/machine shop. Do you know about Howard Farris? He's right there on 199 between Azle and Springtown. He just built a 496 for me.

[Tx Firefighter]

I haven't dealt with Farris personally. I just listened to what some of the local guys say around town, guys I trust very much. They have been disappointed in the turn around time that they got on their work when taken to them.

[BossHogg69]

Ran it through Comp Cams 'CamQuest' program, I was guessing 300hp with the manifolds, camquest said 299hp/370ftlb, with small tube headers, I was thinking 325hp or so, camquest said 317hp/399lbft with the specs you have and the 600carb. I plugged in the 750 carb and the power gain in the program was 6hp, but I bet if would suck some gas compared to the 600. I would bet throttle response would be much more crisp with the 600, and better mpg to boot. JMO. Sounds like a really nice little motor you have. It outta make a fun little cruiser.

[Outlaw72]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I haven't dealt with Farris personally. I just listened to what some of the local guys say around town, guys I trust very much. They have been disappointed in the turn around time that they got on their work when taken to them.

That's odd......I told him exactly what my plans were and my time frame. He had me taken care of. I guess everyone has their own opinions. You should go talk to him and see what he says. He's an honest fellow.

[djracer]

I would be less worried about time unless you have to be in a huge hurry and be more worried about honesty and quality of work.

[trailwart]

i know the guy i deal with has a slow turn around time. the way i look at it is, he is not slow because he doesnt care. he is slow because of all the work he has, and he has all that work because of the quality. i would be more worried about the guy that says he can have it done in 2 days or 3. quality takes time, and on an engine you want quality.

[Tx Firefighter]

It's not the slow time I care about. I just can't count the times that a promised 1 week turnaround ends up being a month. Mainly, I just wish they would tell me honestly if it was going to take a long time right up front.

[Tx Firefighter]

Update...

I chose a local shop, Farris Racing Engines. They got me in and out in 4 days just like they promised. Work looks good too. Price was more than fair. I'm happy.

I did find a crank in my parts stash that I have decided to use. It's not a stroker and it's not a 350 crank either. This crank with my freshly machined 4 inch bore block is going to make a pretty cool engine.

Any guesses as to what I am building ?

[BossHogg69]

To me, the ultimate cool factor would be a 302... that's my guess! It would be really neat with your parts combo.

[70k52wd]

Just watching a cool motor build. I'll guess 283 crank.

[Tx Firefighter]

Nope, not a 283 crank. 3.25 stroke.

[BossHogg69]

then it's a 327, really a 331, with your .030" overbore. the 302 (4" bore/3" stroke-283 crank) woulda been cool too!

[Tx Firefighter]

Winner, winner, chicken dinner !

It is a 327. In my opinion, one of the best engines that the General ever screwed together.

Of course, this changes the combo a lot.

[BossHogg69]

well, I'll just run it through my CamQuest program again and see what it says, if you're interested.

[Tx Firefighter]

I ran this combo just a few minutes ago...

260h cam
Good heads with 2.02/ 1.60 valves, 9.5 compression, 600 cfm on a decent intake and small tube headers.

396 ft/ lbs of torque.

[Outlaw72]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Update...

I chose a local shop, Farris Racing Engines. They got me in and out in 4 days just like they promised. Work looks good too. Price was more than fair. I'm happy.

I did find a crank in my parts stash that I have decided to use. It's not a stroker and it's not a 350 crank either. This crank with my freshly machined 4 inch bore block is going to make a pretty cool engine.

Any guesses as to what I am building ?

I'm glad to hear Farris made you happy......and I'm glad you went to get your own opinion of him than sticking to what other people have to say. I know several racers, myself included, that use him and swear by his work. Howard, Shane and Les are all good people.

[djracer]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Winner, winner, chicken dinner !

It is a 327. In my opinion, one of the best engines that the General ever screwed together.

Of course, this changes the combo a lot.

Yep you are gonna have to buzz it.

[Jim_PA]

280h?

[Tx Firefighter]

I think I mistyped on that post. The board won't let me edit the posting. I meant to type the 268H.

Actually, this thread is now a moot point. I decided to build a 327 instead. I started a build thread on it in the engine section. Check it out.

[Jim_PA]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I think I mistyped on that post. The board won't let me edit the posting. I meant to type the 268H.

Actually, this thread is now a moot point. I decided to build a 327 instead. I started a build thread on it in the engine section. Check it out.

What I meant was, if you are building a 327 how would the 280H do? Seems like it would be better for the higher rev's of the 327. Ahh nevermind, I see you are already beyond that point. Hope someday I grow large enough balls to assemble my own.