[56wagon]

Guys, I've read past posts and hope I'm on the right track. I am having a very reliable local shop rebuild and install a 350 into my 56 chevy wagon. Current 350 is real tired.

What I want is reliable 300 hp driver with enough guts to be some fun to drive. I drive this car alot.

What the engine shop manager wants to do is this. He has a good 350 block that he will fit with a set of reconditioned double hump heads, use stock cam and valves. He will balance the rotating assembly too. I want to stick with stock iron manifolds. He likes a 600 cfm quadrajet.

This can't break the bank, but I've been busting my hump doing side jobs so that I'll have enough $$ to build a nice engine and get it installed.

What do you all think of this and do you have specific suggestions for how to build this engine?

Thanks in advance.

 

[79monte]

I haven't built a lot of engines but if your going to stick with stock iron, porting is the way to go. Gasket match every port that can take it. Keep in mind though parts like alluminum intakes are fairly cheep for small chevy and widely avalible. So are cams, and a mild dual pattern such as a .450/.460 allows you to retain stock components such as valves and valve springs. The Q-jet is a good carb if you know someone who can properly tune it. The right exhaust and setup can also change numbers dramaticly.
Hope i helped a little,If you would like to know the setup i am building, i'll gladly tell you, Its supposed to make about 350hp with iron headsand stock valves. fun fun
79monte

 

[solowookie]

vortec heads are also another option... I got my vortec heads on another project for about $550 delived.

 

[johnnymopar]

56 wagon,

i tend to agree with 79monte that you should change the cam. That will make a big difference. I don't know how good those double-hump heads are, but it won't hurt to do some research. Different heads will definitely help make more power. I know you want to budget this project, but if you're going to go to all that trouble i just think you should make it better than stock. Good choice on balancing also.

JB

 

[dmorris1200]

all good said so far, agree if you can afford some head work it goes a long way. Breathing is very important. But if you're trying to save every cent you can (I've had to go that route before) I've gone as high as .475 lift with stock heads with no problems. I also love the sound of a good Q-jet openning it's secondaries, but an aluminum intake performs good and shaves some weight off your engine. You're exhaust needs to breathe as well, I'm running Flowmasters and 2 1/2 inch pipe.

 

[im2badss]

I went with the vortech heads they flow better than the humps out of the box for $400 you can't go wrong you do need a edelbrock intake i used the performer intake and comp cam extream energy cam go to
<a href="http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?action=prod_detail&catid=277&pid=1120" target="_blank">http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?action=prod_detail&catid=277&pid=1120</a>

they sell the hole kit for $699 check it out Vortec cylinder head kit provides you with everything you need to install the new Vortec heads on your vehicle. This kit includes assembled Vortec heads #12558060, head gaskets, head bolts, rocker arms, Edelbrock Performer intake, intake gaskets and 12 point intake bolts. you would have more than that in the old heads trying to freshen them up !! there a bolt on 50hp good luck!!

 

[56wagon]

GREAT advice so far. Thanks. 79Monte, yes if you don't mind sharing that here pls go ahead and post it.

I checked out the Vortec head kit and think I might be able to afford it.

Gonna have to stick with my iron manifold and duals...that's toooo much $$ to change right now.

Engine comes out today. I'll have a couple weeks to detail the engine compartment.