[WoodsEdge]

Building an engine for my wifes 50 Chevy panel truck with 350 trans. This is a 68 327 rated 250hp, I would like for it to last for 200,000 miles. 250hp is fine, don't need more, would like good gas mileage. Crank will clean up with .010 cut. How about some ideas, pistons, rods, cam, valve train, etc.
Thanks, Jack

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

use the best aftermarket parts you can,keep the specs as close to stock as you can, keep all clearances on the tight side. replace all valve train parts during the rebuild. use bronze guides or guide liners, hard chrome stem valves, hard exhaust seats, new stock springs, felpro gaskets, h.d. stock type timing chain, m-55 oil pump, moly rings, recon the stock rods. the biggest secret is to keep the oil changed on a regular basis, keep the heat between 180-200 degrees. gear it to keep the rpm down on the road (OD.trans?)then drive the thing.

[mustang66maniac]

Use all stock intake parts, except maybe K&N, using headers can actually increase gas mileage because of increased efficiency. I could be wrong on this one but I think higher compression will give you better gas mileage. If I were you I would use cast pistons and stock rods, their the cheapest and will last plenty long with only 250hp. Moly rings resist wear, so do bronze valve guides and chrome valve stems like bobcroman said. Use a small cam for better gas mileage

[WoodsEdge]

Should I use a roller cam,roller lifters and roller rockers????
Jack

[slider in wa]

Balance! balance! balance! Balance the rotating assembly and you will get your 200,000. Spend the money here frist.
Anything that reduces friction increases the life of, and ecconmey of an engine. That said rollers are way cool, but not nesecary for your street engine. If you have the money to spend do it for fun.
let it breathe!!!Look at Edelbrocks new 2701 performer manifolid. It is their replacement for the famous 2101 performer, and shows increases over it, in hp and toqure.I like the Edelbrock 600 cfm carb for this motor.
Using small diameter exhaust hedders will increase toqure and ecconmey. After leaving the header collector , go big if you like on exhaust pipe size. There are some interesting thoughts on the "X" style of cross over exhaust pipes, as far as performance go`s.
Lite the fire!!! Get the HEI ignition.!!!!!!! Do it!!!!
Say, these are just my thoughts on your question. Please keep us all informed on you project. Thanks.
Slider in Wa.

[drgnwgn289]

You want a motor to last for ever huh...well then do a true blueprinting job on it. I know a guy who put the same blueprinted motor in 4 different cars and it still ran good when he took it out of the 4th one.