350 question

My el camino engine is starting to sound bad, so I am thinking about a new one. There is a 72 350 short block available. It is a fresh rebuild listed as 30 over on the pistons (with the valve notches) and I think 10 under on the crank. The cam is a 420/443 204 @ .050 and 214 @ .050 How does this compare to stock? He says it should have 9.2:1 compression with 76cc heads. It has a double roller timing set, oil pan, balancer, lifters, head gaskets and flex plate.
I currently have an 86 350 with a weiand 8004 intake, a q- jet; and a 600 holley that I took apart to clean and haven't reasembled yet. To stay on a budget, I would steal the heads and intake of the 86, and probably the water pump, etc. The car is a 71 and I have some 78 parts from a car I parted last year.
Anyway, I need to know if this is a good idea, or will it need better valve springs, rockers, and so on. I know it would have to be broken in (new cam and lifters) and the valve lash has to be set. I have pulled and swapped engines and intakes before but not heads and such. Of course good heads or even aluminum would be way better, but also $$$. The engine is $600 by itself. I want to run normal gas and not have too rough idle. Thanks.


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I took the oil filter off to check for chunks in the oil. I haven't looked in the filter, but all I see is the oil is really black and maybe a little thick. The bad thing is oil came out before I got the filter halfway off. Its also my experience that you should get @ a quart of oil out of the filter. The dipstick still reads right between full and add; but I barely got enough oil out to cover the bottom of my drain pan.
This makes me worry that maybe its stuck on bypass or something.? there is oil on the bottom of the engine and a leak starting behind the water pump. Looks like its coming out the breather. The oil looks old despite only driving 450 miles since the last oil change.
Thanks.

Since I don`t know what head casting number the 86 heads are I can`t tell you if they would be better or not. Unless the block for sale was decked, there`s little chance it would reach 9.2:1 compression with 76cc heads. To know the compression ratio you need to know what head gasket thickness is used as well as gasket bore size, how far down the piston is in the hole at top dead center and the heads chamber size. The cam size is just right for a daily driver. Pull the dipstick out of the engine your currently running and smell the dipstick, if you smell gas the fuel pump is ruptured and fuel is leaking into the oil pain which cuts the oil life in half. It shouldn`t be black with only 450 miles of use on it.

there's no gas in the oil. I talked to an engine shop and they think it probably has a spun bearing. I think I might see if that short block is still available. The ebay auction expired, I was hoping he would lower the price if it didn't sell. If I was more patient, I would wait till April and start looking at the swap meets. The weather is still cold now too; but not the rain like spring and summer. My garage isn't big enough for the car and the engine, etc.. Last time I used my engine lift and a tarp as a tent while I put the exhaust and stuff back on.
I need to do my taxes maybe I'll get a big refund like last year... Thanks for the advice. If I wasn't so cheap I would get some good heads or a fancy intake. I told myself I would get a new crate motor but I don't want to spend $3000.oo

How much are going to spend for the 72' shortblock??

assuming I bought the '72, the sale price was $600.oo it is Chevy orange. it has new .030 pistons that are cast flat tops. they have four valve notches in them. new freeze plugs and bearings, tank cleaned. CTL code 350 new rod bolts with resized rods. crank is .020 and .030 under. double roller timing chain new oil pump, pickup and shaft. edelbrock performer cam .420/.443; 204/214 @ .050.
It is located 30 miles or so from here, so its not to much of a hassle. It hasn't been run since the rebuild. Guy says it comes with balancer, flex plate, lifters and head gaskets. Don't know what lifters? solid, roller, hydraulic? Probably not roller.
The 86 350 I have now is "standard bore, new cam, bearings, and rings" with @ 5000 miles since "rebuilt" Numbers book says its a camaro or truck block. I need to see what head #s are. Under valve cover? don't know. Weiand 8004 intake, q-jet that codes "heavy duty truck" I think @ 79? I just put a kit in it. 600 holley store bought @ 4 years ago, cleaned it found white crud in the bowls? Have kit, not put together yet. TH350 from an 85ish suburban $50.oo a swap, engine was $350.oo minus carb and distributor.
I have 3 HEIs one 78, one china knockoff, and one ACCELL. Also ACCEL coil.
Car now has new motor mounts, 2 inch dual exhaust, and tubular rear suspension arms with poly bushings. 185/245 tires with cragar version of Ansen wheels. Sorry for rambling. Thanks for all help. Also new u joints.

the number on the head looks like 482824. I can't find this number, but 462624 comes up as a 350 head with 76cc chambers. I had to take a picture of the number to see it cause its in the car and toward the back. Thanks.
Yes, other head easier to see. They are 462624.

Low compression thin cast junk. Find a high perf head with small combustion chambers and big valves.

I don't want to go too high or I will have to run "good" gas. I only really need @ 250 hp anyway. More would be better but not more than 400. Too much and you start having to replace transmission, brakes, etc.... speed rated tires....... Has a 12 bolt but don't know the gears deffinately not positrac was 4 wheel drum car. Do want 3 point belts but they cost $200.oo thanks.

You can always use what you got to stay on a budget and upgrade later as far as the heads go. Sounds solid on the shortblock. The performer cam is a great daily driver grind. Good luck with everything!

Yes, If I was not happy with the way it ran, I could get something later. What heads should be avoided? There are probably plenty for dirt cheap at the pick a part, but would they be any good. Its probably cheaper to buy on ebay or swap meet than have them redone. Several on ebay, 882 keeps coming up. Lots of 1.94s and a few 2.02s Thanks.
Also, could I reuse pushrods and rockers? Most likely won't need fancy rockers anyway.