350 engine

[profe56]

Hi folks:
Yesterday I bougth a supposed 350 engine,I hope it is 350, I found this engine was madr in Mexico.
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[profe56]

Originally Posted by profe56

Hi folks:
Yesterday I bougth a supposed 350 engine,I hope it is 350, I found this engine was madr in Mexico.
Posted via Mobile Device

I need to know if it really is 350, I also noticed there are no numbers at front of the passengers side head
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[72bowtiestepper]

Prob. a crate engine....the 260 hp & 290 hp 350 engines & possibly others are Mexican blocks. No worries...they are good engines....many have put lots of miles on them with good results.

[YJ_Aaron]

Most likely go crate engine. All of those blocks are made in mexico. Look at 3 digit block casting in front of starter. Guessing it will be 880 casting.

[Alex V.]

If it is a crate engine, have they always been 4-bolt blocks or was that only a more recent thing? Could very well have 4 bolt main caps.

[YJ_Aaron]

Not all are 4 bolt blocks. Depends what part number and where it's built. I believe all the performance part builds are 4 bolt, the others are mixed.

Pull valve cover and look at that casting should tell you the story.

Also there are crate short blocks from GM. We build a couple of those like 383HT.

[profe56]

Originally Posted by YJ_Aaron

Not all are 4 bolt blocks. Depends what part number and where it's built. I believe all the performance part builds are 4 bolt, the others are mixed.

Pull valve cover and look at that casting should tell you the story.

Also there are crate short blocks from GM. We build a couple of those like 383HT.

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[randy500]

3970010 are usually 4 inch bore blocks, maybe always so it is likely a 350. That's a weird motor though, cast iron waterneck, 2 bbl. It is older syle though with the large VIN pad and the oil galley plug above the timing cover. Another weird thing is the heads don't appear to have a full set of accessory holes.

[profe56]

Originally Posted by profe56

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Thank you guys for all of your answers, if everything is ok in the future I'll do a lot of questions because I want to built an strong engine.
Thanks
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[garyd1961]

Is that a 350 damper/balancer ? It looks a little thin.

[68gmsee]

Re. why it looks different. Seems like the previous owner bought a short block and used the parts of his older engine.

The intake almost looks like the one I took off my old '69 Chevy truck.

[GRX]

Yeah. #3970010 + mexico = 350 block. Date code should be on the bell housing flange as well. Though one can never be sure with Mexican castings.

[profe56]

Thanks folks for all of your opinions. I will now if is really 350 as soon as I open it, I wiil keep this thread, I hope the engine is in condition to be rebuilt it, if is, I will need your help with your suggestions on how to make it strong.
Thank you again

[Kenfuzed]

Originally Posted by profe56

Thanks folks for all of your opinions. I will now if is really 350 as soon as I open it, I wiil keep this thread, I hope the engine is in condition to be rebuilt it, if is, I will need your help with your suggestions on how to make it strong.
Thank you again

Suggestion for making it strong... push it to the curb and buy a new crate engine

[Ironangel]

Originally Posted by Kenfuzed

Suggestion for making it strong... push it to the curb and buy a new crate engine

This is very good advice because you'll be way over $1500 getting that motor up to snuff. I bought one of these like many others here and for $1500 delivered it's hard deal to beat. Three years ago these motors were going for $1200 delivered, mine still on the stand waiting for my previous $2500 rebuilt motor to wear out. http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...67353/10002/-1

[homemade87]

I would not push it to the side if you are looking for performance . Being you have the block and it checks out I would consider a 383 stroke kit . For what you want to do you could get a 383 stroke kit for around 800.00 . Have the machine work done and assembled for around 300.00 to 400.00 . Less if you decide to assemble yourself . This would give you options for a much better head if wanted (cam also ) . If you will be satisfied with 200hp by all means get the crate motor . If you buy the crate motor and decide to mod for more power later you will spend a good bit more than the 1500.00 and not get close to the 383 potential . So I guess it boils down to where you want to go when you say performance . Performance has a pretty broad meaning .

[profe56]

Yes!!!!!! HOMEMADE
that's exactly what I want, performance
your suggestion of 383 sounds good.
That's why I want to take all of the time to hear your counseling
Thanks

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by profe56

Yes!!!!!! HOMEMADE
that's exactly what I want, performance
your suggestion of 383 sounds good.
That's why I want to take all of the time to hear your counseling
Thanks

If you have never worked on these engines or overhauled one and want to learn as much as possible, doing it yourself is the way to go. Ask when in doubt and have the machine shop do the machining for you as you go along.

Also, keep track of every bolt and place groups of parts like rockers, rods and springs together. I use plastic freezer bags and write on them what the bolts are for and unless you have a photographic memory take pics.

[hjewell2]

its a target master motor built in mexico and it is very good 3970010 number block 4 bolt main 76cc heads 8.5 to compression. 450 lift cam if I remember correctly. brand new it was $750.00 bucks back when they came out. 1976 I think.

[GRX]

Well, no way to be certain it is a 4-bolt main without pulling the to pan look. And I never was a big fan of Target Master engines. Most every one I received had factory rejected parts. Got a whole run of 350s from fleet service with misaligned cam journals repaired with offset spacers. Mexican castings were the worst.