need opinions on this list of parts

[Rick Bollinger]

OK here is what I am thinking for my 68 350. It should all be compatable. The only difference between this list and the edelbrock top end kit is delete the alum heads and add steel vortec as replacements. Same cc and runner sizes but $1000.00 cheaper. Will cam be too radical for a daily driver? I will be adding Fi tech with fuel 2.0 in near future. This will be my first partial build. The 350 does not use any oil or smoke and carries good oil pressure when warm so no issues with lower end.

ARP 134-3601 - ARP High Performance Series Cylinder Head Bolt Kits

Cylinder Head Bolts, High Performance, Hex Head, Chevy, Small Block, Kit
ARP-134-3601


Edelbrock 21163 - Edelbrock Performer Vortec Intake Manifolds

Intake Manifold, Performer Vortec, Dual Plane, Aluminum, Black, Square/Spread Bore, Chevy, 5.7L, Vortec
EDL-21163
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Edelbrock 2117 - Edelbrock Performer-Plus Cam and Lifter Kits

Cam and Lifters, Hydraulic Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 309/314, Lift .464/.470, Chevy, Small Black, Kit
EDL-2117
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Edelbrock 6997 - Edelbrock Replacement Timing Cover Gaskets

Gaskets, Timing Cover, Composite, Chevy, Small Block, Kit
EDL-6997
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Edelbrock 7800 - Edelbrock Performer-Link True Roller Timing Chain Sets

Timing Chain and Gear Set, Performer-Link, Double Roller, Iron/Steel Sprockets, Chevy, V6/Small Block, Set
EDL-7800
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Edelbrock 8504 - Edelbrock Intake Manifold Bolt Kits

Intake Manifold Bolts, Steel, Hex Head, Washers, Not for Use On E-Tec or Vortec Heads, Chevy, Small Block, Kit
EDL-8504
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Milodon 30700 - Milodon Stock Replacement Oil Pans

Oil Pan, Steel, Gold Iridite, 5 qt., Chevy, Small Block, LH Dipstick, Internal Oil Control Baffles, Each
MIL-30700
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Chevrolet Performance 12495490 - Chevrolet Performance Small Block V8 or V6 Rocker Arm Kits

Rocker Arms, 3/8 in. Stud Mount, OEM-Style, Stamped Steel, 1.5 Ratio, Chevy, 5.0/5.7L, Set of 16
NAL-12495490
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Chevrolet Performance 12558060 - Chevrolet Performance Vortec Cylinder Heads

Cylinder Head, Vortec, Cast Iron, Assembled, 64cc Chamber, 170cc Intake Runner, Chevy, Small Block, Each
NAL-12558060
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[Rick Bollinger]

After posting noticed wrong intake bolt set.

[hugger6933]

Ithink the Edelbrock number for the vortec head bolt[intake mounting] is 8615 Yeah I think that cam is a touch too big I did run a dual energy Comp in a 350 S10 that was close to that but still a touch smaller and it worked

[Rick Bollinger]

hugger
Thanks for the number. I am lost on a decent cam I have no idea on what I am looking for. I would like to have at least 325 hp 87 pump gas daily driver. 29 inch tires, 377 rear end, 700 R4 trans and if it matters factory air that works. It shouldn't be too hard its a 350 with all new Vortec top end going on it with Fi tech more than likely after cam break in.
Thanks
Rick

[clay68c10]

That cam would probably work well with your gears. You might check on the max lift for the stock valve springs.
What’s the duration at .050?

[Rick Bollinger]

Clay the specs on the heads say .475 max lift. this cam specs.


Chevy

Duration Advertised
278° Intake/288° Exhaust
Duration @ .050''
218° Intake/224° Exhaust
Lift @ Valve
.464'' Intake/.470'' Exhaust
Lift @ Cam
.309'' Intake/.314'' Exhaust
Lobe Separation Angle
115°
Intake Centerline
110°
Intake Timing @ .050"
Open -1° ATDC
Close 39° ABDC
Exhaust Timing @ .050"
Open 50° BBDC
Close -6° BTDC
Vacuum @ 1000RPM Idle

[randy500]

Complete vortec 350 is only $1920 right now after $100 discount at Jegs, has a tiny roller cam and valve covers included, you would need sn electric fuel pump tho.

Looks like you will need valve covers with the vortec heads too right?

Thats a pretty small cam, will idle well an should perform well with your gears and little bit higher compression from the vortec heads. Should get you to 325hp pretty easily but not more i would think.

When you add the cost of intake manifold, bolts and valve covers to the cost of vortec heads you can buy brodix, edelbrock, flowtec, jegs aluminum heads, for the same money and they all flow a little better too.

Your factory ac brackets on the manifold will not work with vortec intake manifold.

[Rick Bollinger]

Randy Thanks for the input on this. I didn't realize the bracket would not work with the vortec heads. Also was considering this kit. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/e...placementparts Same cam but all 1st gen alum heads. Any experience with this set-up? Going all vortec will have to change a lot of other stuff that I am not excited about doing. I have a nice 4 bolt block so would kind of like to keep it. It actually runs pretty well just want more out of it. Planning on doing some traveling in it in a few years when I retire. Also have a camper I will be towing at rare times.

[clay68c10]

I agree with Randy, that cam would work well with what you want to do.
The choice now is what heads to go with. I think either choice would work, just depends on the cost and how it goes together for you.

[randy500]

E street heads flow 225/153
Vortec flow 219/149

Heads are Kind of even, can keep stock valve covers and brackets with those.

The cam is nice, essentially same as cam in gmpp 290hp engine which is the old L82/ l46 cam. 114lsa 224 duration @.050.

Intake in that kit is squarebore...which would require a holley or a edelbrock carb, both of which generally suck.

I would run the factory cast iron 4bbl with a Quadrajet, especially if you already have either.
Aluminum intake real life hp gain is about zero, its negligible.

If your using stock exhaust manifolds i think the stock ac lower brackets without the manifold one will work with the vortec heads, not ideal though without the upper support adjusting brackets. The front lower compressor bracket does have an adjuster slot which should work alone....

[Rick Bollinger]

Right now summit just dropped the price on the top end kit and it is actually about 300.00 cheaper to go that route than to piece together the same vortec top end with cast heads like I originally posted. And it comes with gaskets. I need a new oil pan and timing cover anyway so that cost will be the same either way. Should I keep my stock rockers or go with the roller tipped ones if I go with the aluminum heads? Rollers are out to stay with the short valve covers.
Thanks
Rick

[randy500]

$1920 for a complete brand new roller cam 350 is the best buy, change the cam out to a bigger hydraulic roller one for about $300 generic vortec spreadbore intake for $150 (jegs?), holley blue pump for $150

Those motors are smooth and very durable, absolutely leak free too.

[randy500]

I would try these rockers, prob fit under stock valve covers with double thick gaskets and lock nuts instead fo the poly locks.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...WLSRNOND&psc=1

New oil pan and timing cover is included in the vortec motor...vortec is looking even better buy now.

[randy500]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here is an L82 cam for cheap, elgin and melling parts are fine

[Rick Bollinger]

Randy I am a slow typer and you posted while I was typing. I have Hooker headers with flowmaster mufflers. Original intake is getting rough and have a 1406 edelbrock carb on it. Can elect to get a free evs 800 cfm endurashine muffler retail for $539.00 with the kit for $1457.00 sell the carb for 450. takes the kit to just above $1000. That sounds reasonable and gives me more budget money to get the fi tech efi.

[Rick Bollinger]

Randy
Changing to Vortec don't I need to switch flexplate, motor mounts and other parts to drop it in?

[randy500]

Motor mounts no, flex plate yes because different bolt pattern on one piece rear main seal engine.

[randy500]

Vortec needs intake manifold, flex plate and electric fuel pump the rest is essentially the same....
valve covers are different but it comes with them. I prefer the old valve cover look but the vortec covers do seal up super well and gaskets are rubber so you can remove the covers without needing new gaskets.

[randy500]

I just put those edelbrock heads in my cart, $100 off sale price of 907 if total order is over 1000.....thats a great buy.


What pistons do you have in your current 350? If they are dished 4 valve relief with the outer chamfered ring, those suck and are about 1 point or more lower than the vortec engine.

[Rick Bollinger]

I don't know what is in there. I need to run a scope in there to see if I can see anything. I do know the block is a 68 and running the cast code and vin # it is out of a 68 nova 295 hp 4 bolt. The heads are 3973487 casting but do not know if they are a 1.94 or a 2.02 . It is hard to say what has been done to it in the last 50 years.

[Rick Bollinger]

That's what I was thinking about the price of the kit. Heads, intake, cam, gaskets, bolts and carb for $1500. Sell the carb I got $1100 in a new top end.

[randy500]

One more thing on your current engine...if its been rebuilt it probably has rebuilder pistons in it which are .020 further in the hole, i would measure how far down they are, if more than .025 just start completely over, new pistons or engine, no easy way of getting any compression and quench out of it.
Even with a cam and new heads with smaller chambers the compression ratio will be too low to make any power.

[Rick Bollinger]

That would be the best thing to do before spending a bunch of money on it. Pull it and see what I have. Or at least a head. I gotta get to bed 5:30 comes fast. Thanks for all your advice a lot to soak in.
Rick

[Rick Bollinger]

Well I ran a scope down a cylinder no dish pistons. They seem to be a single set of valve notches on the piston. Did not see any oversize stampings on the piston. So worse case bore and re build. I did order this kit today. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-2038 . Came with a new free carb so I got the AVS 800 cfm endurashine which I will be selling soon as I am going Fi Tech. Called the machine shop and if I need it they would re build the short block and install the eldelbrock top end kit break in and dyno for around 1500. That would be about the same price as a crate but I trust the machine shop.