Help with intakes and heads on a SBC

kr0101921 · Apr 18, 2015

So I'm starting a SBC 350 build, but intake manifolds and cylinder heads are starting to throw me for a loop; constantly having to check between different ones.

For starters: The ONLY thing that I am saving out of the original engine is the block itself. Not the heads, not the crank, NOTHING. Just the 350 cid engine block. The block came out of a 1989 Chevrolet 1500 pickup 2WD.

The heads and intake manifold that I want are Edelbrock products on summit racing. The Heads are "Edelbrock Performer RPM Cylinder Heads 60899" and Intake Manifold is "Edelbrock Performer RPM Air-Gap Intake Manifolds 7501". Both of these say they only go up to 1986. Now I've done *SOME* research; apparently the only real difference between a 1986 BARE-block and my 1989 BARE-block is the main seal. The blocks are completely identical, except the 1986 would have the 2-piece, and my 1989 would obviously have the 1-piece.

If I got the Edelbrock heads and bolted them to the block, everything should be fine, right? Because the top of the block where the heads mated up is completely identical, correct? The intake manifold should just go onto the heads.

Thanks in advance to any/all who help.

ericnova72 · Apr 18, 2015

You are correct, the only other difference on later engines is the intake manifold bolt pattern on the heads, either Vortec or TPI bolt patterns...if you aren't using a TPI intake or a Vortec pattern intake then this means nothing, the heads you want take the original '55-85 bolt pattern intakes.

There are much better performing heads than the Edelbrock's, at even the same price range or even cheaper, if you are interested. The Edelbrocks are barely average if you ask me, and you look at the flow #'s.

A smart builder doesn't even bother with building a little peewee 350 if all they are going to use is the stock block...go straight to looking at 383 stroker rotating assembly's, you'll make a bunch more power and torque for the same cash outlay.

kr0101921 · Apr 18, 2015

ericnova72 said:
A smart builder doesn't even bother with building a little peewee 350 if all they are going to use is the stock block...go straight to looking at 383 stroker rotating assembly's, you'll make a bunch more power and torque for the same cash outlay.

I don't have much knowledge about boring and stroking engines. I intend to drop this engine into my 1990 short-wheel-base chevy 1500. Replacing that little ol' V6. To get parts for a 383 build, I would have to know how much to bore-out the cylinders, what size stroke crankshaft to get, rod length, piston size, etc. My build is just going to be a good daily driver with a little more oomph to it: Edelbrock heads, intake, and carburetor; COMP CAMS Camshaft and lifter kit (CL12-246-3); MSD ignition system; gibson headers.

Back on topic: I can use the head/intake combo I listed earlier?

vinniekq2 · Apr 18, 2015

why dont we call your edelbrock heads profiler 195s and your Comp cam a Howards roller hydraulic?

jokerZ71 · Apr 18, 2015

Another difference between the post 86 blocks is that it could quite possibly be a roller ready block.Meaning you can convert it to a roller cam/lifter setup using OEM parts vs an expensive retro roller kit.Trucks continued to use flat tappet cams until 96,but,the blocks may be a roller block.Look at the intake valley.If you have 3 bosses in the center,it is a roller block.If the bosses are drilled & tapped & the top of the lifter bores has been machined flat,it is a completed roller block & can be converted very easily.

4 Jaw Chuck · Apr 18, 2015

Your selected heads and intake will mate up to your block with no issues, may want to add a set of studs or new head bolts as cheap insurance.

Help with intakes and heads on a SBC

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