I have a 1971 nova and think it would be more fun to drive if I took the original stock 350 out and matched the M22 with a built 350 but I would like to keep it old school. My question is can I built one cheaper than getting a create block with some HP added.
i guess this question should have been answered long ago so, i will try you can build a budget minded sbc with some kick in it for play. it will take a little work and looking around but sbc parts are all around us and deals can be made so, yes you can build a motor cheaper then buying a crate motor hope this helps you out. thanks bob sorry for the delay
Thanks for the reply to him Bob.. Greg..(his name) lives not to far from me..he broke his hip and had to have some major rebuild work done so he has been laid up for a couple months and his nova is quite drivable till he gets better..He has a couple vettes to tide him over till he gets back on two legs..I have been visiting him pretty much weekly till he gave this damn cold.. this getting old stuff is not for wimps..
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There is no elevator to success — you have to take the stairs.
we are all car guys here and should do what we can to help out each other weather problems are big or small and to be truthful if greg is serious about making a little more power i have some parts here i would be willing to help him out at a fare price and will look for others to make his dream come true to just like all of us i do hope he is getting better summer is coming time for fun
thanks bob
Depends on how much horsepower your looking for. Like Bob says lots of SBC hipo parts around but on the other hand when you can buy a 300HP crate motor in the $3000-$3500 area where everything is brand new that's not a bad deal. Keep us posted.
for such a small site I don't know how I missed your question in the first place.
If you buy a new engine you can save the numbers motor for down the road.
TMJ
not to put a damper on your crate motors (as i am a die hard g m man ) but crate motors are not all they are bragged up to be i have rebuilt a couple from the general and a friend just had to change one under warranty because of no oil pressure i have been build motors for over 40 years and i would still rather build my own it is after all part of the fun building a ride tmj i do like the thought of keeping the original for the numbers thing but build a good cruising motor is still lots of fun
thanks bob
PS I am just finishing up a roller 302 ford board out to 331 c i for my friend's pinto can't wait to see it running soon
not to put a damper on your crate motors (as i am a die hard g m man ) but crate motors are not all they are bragged up to be i have rebuilt a couple from the general and a friend just had to change one under warranty because of no oil pressure i have been build motors for over 40 years and i would still rather build my own it is after all part of the fun building a ride tmj i do like the thought of keeping the original for the numbers thing but build a good cruising motor is still lots of fun thanks bob
PS I am just finishing up a roller 302 ford board out to 331 c i for my friend's pinto can't wait to see it running soon
mmmmmmmmmmmm a 331 Damn I wish I had a job!!! I'm Just starting to pull my 302 so I can reseal it. Everything leaks even the input on the trans. It would be nice to put a 331 back in but it's not in the budget.
Bob do any of the head-bolts go into a water jacket?
Sorry to temporarily take over your thread Greg I'm done
tmj yes there are some bolts into water jackets and i seal all bolts no matter in or not of water i don't like chances
were all here to help i do not think greg will mind if we answer other questions
thanks bob
Thanks guys I would like to know what 350 small block serial # is good to look for. I hope to just use the block and change the crank rods and pistons I would like to know your thoughts on 9:1 compression a bit of a lumpy cam and look around for some 202 heads to start off with. Just take my time to build it working on it on free time.
hello red oak i will try to fill you in first of you will need an early block a four bolt main is the best but not necessary 2 bolts will work to as you are looking for around 350-400 horse maybe depending on your cam selection and heads that you will use as for cubic inch you will have to bore the block so you can make what ever cubic in you wish from a 4.030 over bore and a 3.480 stroke give you 355 all the way up to 4.060 and a 3.750 stroke crank and you would have a 388 cubic inch motor your choice flat top pistons and a 64 cc heads will get you around 10.0 compression you can use a larger cc head like 76 cc and will get you into around 8.5 to 9.0 compression as for the block numbers casting # at the back of the block that has 010 or 0010 in that number have the best high nickel content for working with these blocks all have 2 pc seals this should help you get started when you have your heads block and decide on bore and stroke then it can be worked out for cam selection i have a program here to help you find the best for sound and power you wish to run hope this helps get you going if i can help more please just ask i have much more info
thanks bob
.red oak i would like to ad i am not telling you what to bore your block at just saying that 4.030 and 4.060 are popular bore numbers you can use any bore you wish your machine shop will check and confirm how far you would need to go
thanks bob
Just to add my 2 cents here. You say your motor is stock ? Is it the motor that came in that Nova as in original ? If it still has good compression and no main seal leaks, you might have a good bottom end that only needs a bit of updating. Heads/Cam/Intake on a good flat top motor can make for a great street motor. I guess it all depends on how ugly you want it to be. Maybe post your block @ head casting numbers. You might have some good stuff and don't even know it.
Thanks I have been a bit busy. But I will get the # off the head and block I do think they were both the ones that came on the car from new? I had to replace the cam last year did it in a hurry just to get it running as I had only gotten the car and not 100 miles on it started popping I figured then some one cranked down on the lifters to quieten it down and sell it no big deal. The car does have a good sound to it but being mostly stock and a 1971 model just to me it does not turn on the way it should. Not looking for a race car but one that is more fun to drive. Not knowing much about it I would like it to run on pump gas and figure 9:1 should give it a little more when it is punched. In my thoughts I would like to build a small block for it and keep the original for value reasons
Just remember, if your looking for a block. Look for one that does not need all the emissions crap on it.
Find one with a date code of 1970 or earlier.
Greg, will you be at the breakie? I can get some pages of a book I have that will give you the knowledge to identify what to look for in a block.
IE:: Block Number, Suffix Code.
Be careful what you wish for..I am damn glad I am finished with that part of my life.. All my jobs from now on will not be jobs ..They will be playing with my hobby..
Disclaimer: except for cutting the grass- 5 acres 8hrs once a week.. cleaning and keeping the mower sharp, tuned, clean, fueled..
working all the flower beds, sucks, keeping the barn and out buildings in repair from winter winds and all the coons that seem to find their way to my barn over the winter rotten rastereds , plug the pigeon holes, servicing the daily, Getting the Coupe serviced for summer cruising, motor home summarized , fixing the mail box from the snow plow "AGAIN" getting the deck furniture out, the bar-B-Q bla..bla.. Actually I wouldn't mind if winter just hung in for another month .. I am tired just thinking about it .. 20 years ago I could hardly wait to get at it.. at 74 I am in no hurry , I wish I was married to liz Montgomery from bewitched , I could sure use that nose to get on the road .. I find all the brown nosing I do does not help a bit..
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There is no elevator to success — you have to take the stairs.
cleaning and keeping the mower sharp, tuned, clean, fueled..
