Engine rebuild......350

[ashx2]

I'm looking at rebuilding an engine for my '72. I'm going to send the block to a company and have it all prettied up and prepared for the rebuild.

I have been told that I should get some TBI heads, and that I can buy a rebuild "kit" and it would not cost me near as much as if I went out and bought all the goodies individually.

Is this correct? And what's so great about TBI heads? I'm not looking to build something to race with, just something solid/dependable to drive for the next many many years to com.

Opinions?

Thanks,
Greg

[Sinister]

I've heard that TBI heads don't flow very well. Try some Vortecs.

[jbristo67]

Vortecs for sure

[big_al_71]

I would go with edelbrock aluminum heads but thats just my opinion. I have heard about the vortec heads as well.

[monte0185]

I rebuilt my 307 with a set of vortecs. I put a mild 267/277 cam in it and those heads and its 30 over and it really wakened it up.

[jim zag]

What do you want? Performance? Economy? You need a PLAN!!!! Are you on a BUDGET? How much do you have to spend? TBI heads are easy to find but require a specific intake because the center bolts are a different angle. VORTEC heads flow a lot of air and make great POWER! They require specific rockers, valve covers and intake and a different alternator mount. Build a 383 stroker!

[hgs_notes]

If you have no experience building an engine or the proper tools, it will probably be cheaper and more dependable to buy a rebuilt plain jane 350. A rebuild using the original pistons and not doing any head rebuild or valve job will cost at least $450 to 500. If the bores are taper and it needs bored out, add about $100 for basic machining and another $200 for pistons (they need to be pressed onto the rods also. A valve job will probably cost another $150-200. This is assuming you don't have any other problems with any of the parts, and re-use valves, push rods, intake, front cover, oil pan, dipstick, etc.

I rebuilt a shortblock last month as cheaply as possible, and I'm re-using the heads and intake as is. I have all the required tools and spent about $450. I've done it a few times before, and I'm still hoping I didn't mess something up. I'm still running the 283 I built about 20 years ago, so I have reason to believe I did OK.

There is lots of help and info available if you decide to do it. It's not that hard mechanically, just a lot of tedious measuring and fitting and cleaning, etc. Good luck, it's kind of full-filling knowing I did it myself.

[BossHogg69]

nothing is 'great' about TBI heads. they do make a great door stop though. A stock casting from 70-84ish will be your most economical (traditional intake & valvetrain parts), the vortecs offer great hp/$ but as stated above, require specific valvetrain parts and intake.