So, I'm in the process of determining the parts I'm going to need for rebuilding my 350 once it comes back from the machine shop as a 355. As of right now the only definite parts that are going on the motor are the set of Vortec heads (I'm pretty sure they're #906's) which I'm having cleaned and then resurfaced along with the engine block. I have a Edelbrock 750cfm carb that's gonna go on top but other than those two parts everything else is gonna be new, and as a result I have a lot of questions...

Valvetrain: I want to go with a solid cam setup...but really don't know what specs I'm looking for which would work well with my engine.

Manifold: Obviously I need a vortec-specific one, but once again I'd like it to mate well with my cam choice.

Rotating Assembly: Right now I'm looking at Eagle Specialty rotating assemblies, -5cc flat top pistons...not sure if I should be going a different route. I'd like to be making about 10.5:1 compression if possible when this whole job is done...

Random: New Flywheel?...

Let me throw this out here.

Block first, you should be up at 10 to 1 CR. w/ 64 cc heads using shim headgaskets like Fel-pro's #1094's at .015" or stock type GM/MrG's at .020" so any number of good cams can be ran starting off w/ this short list and note!! NOTHING FANCY AT ALL by me.

CC's 268HE, 270 Magnum and XE274;

Isky's 270 Mega;

Crane's 272/272 Energizer and 274H06;

SOTA cam, UDHarold's Lunati VooDoo 268 for hy-cams!



You want to run a solid lifter cam then use these to find a solid lifter equivalent and go, but in reality, a good old CC 282S will do you nicely! And again, nothing fancy by me.

And if you want cam bragging rights, then call UDHarold here..

(662) 562-4933

and ask him to create for you a Vortec head SB cam equivalent to this BB solid lifter cam that is in my bedroom closet now!

278/249/161, 110/106, .618" gross lift and need's .018" lash on both sides.

AND please say hello to Harold from ol' pdq67 for me.

I would at least make sure the Vortec heads can take a cam of this lift w/ at least Z-28 springs and since you want to run a solid lifter cam, narrow your feeler gauges so that they fit between the stock Vortec rocker guide tits and go!

Add a good Vortec dual plane intake and a stock Q-Jet or a tuned 600 cfm 1850 or tuned 750 3310-2 Holley carb along w/ a cheap set of 1.625" dia., 4-tube, long headers and go have more fun than John Law will allow!

pdq67

wow thanks a bunch!

If you decide to take the old timers advice ( nbl pdq ) , you WILL have to do some work on your heads for that much lift. If you're not sure what your machine shop is planning on doing you need to tell them what you're plans are. I'm pretty sure they wont be doing what's necisary for your vortecs to have that much lift.

i wasn't planning on having any more work done than a resurfacing and a 3 angle valve job. what's a lift that those heads would be able to handle without a major overhaul?...is it still enough to make good power?

Stick to what pdq has to say on this topic, all i can say is that my engine was majorly based apon his and a few others sugestions, and it runs damn good for what it is.

If you don't want to do any more to a set of good Vortec's, then check out Crower's old lift-limited roundy-round cams and pick one that is right at .440" to .450" tall and go!

BUT I would install at least Z-28, (-142), valve springs!

And as stupid as this sounds, I bet their hopped up, -929 cams, PN's 00250 or 00251 are dandies!! And at .390"/.410" lift's, you don't have to worry about any bind at all!

pdq67

and ask him to create for you a Vortec head SB cam equivalent to this BB solid lifter cam that is in my bedroom closet now!
pdq67


Bedroom closet??? :crazy:

i wasn't planning on having any more work done than a resurfacing and a 3 angle valve job. what's a lift that those heads would be able to handle without a major overhaul?...is it still enough to make good power?

You probably need to read the sticky on vortec heads.

So, I did some reading and talked to a buddy who's got a similar setup...probably gonna go with btn .460 and .480 lift so i can avoid major overhauling of the heads. Another question tho...I'm planning on getting my block cleaned and bored, but should I be getting it resurfaced as well? Obviously if I do that it will affect the compression ratio...but by how much?

Mikey,

Right!!

"And if you want cam bragging rights, then call UDHarold here..

(662) 562-4933

and ask him to create for you a Vortec head SB cam equivalent to this BB solid lifter cam that is in my bedroom closet now!

278/249/161, 110/106, .618" gross lift and need's .018" lash on both sides.

AND please say hello to Harold from ol' pdq67 for me."

Fwiw, I bugged UDHarold for quite a while to create it for me AND HE DID.

It is Harold's solid lifter version of CC's great old 288AR solid street roller cam!!!!!!!!!

pdq67