357 (350 - .40 Over) Build Questions Etc

[Mike81K10]

Was thinking about it as well. Have looked at:
Dart SHP Special High Performance Cylinder Heads 126221
Dart SHP Special High Performance Cylinder Heads 126121
Edelbrock E-Street Cylinder Heads 5089

Any suggestions!

[Mike81K10]

I was leaning towards the Dart heads. I see many comments about the quality issues of the Edelbrock E-Street Cylinder Heads 5089 and better reviews of the Dart. They give a choice between a Combustion Chamber Volume (cc): 64 or 72. I was looking at the 64 with an Intake Runner Volume (cc): 180cc; and a Exhaust Runner Volume (cc): 70cc. Would the 72 Chamber Volume be a better choice?

PS:
I read there are better heads a a lower cost than the Dart and am still looking. I have never bought a set of aluminum heads before. I saw good reviews of the AFR 195cc SBC Enforcer Cylinder Heads 1001, however it is for a roller cam and I want a flat tappet. However, the number of head choices can be confusing. Might be why I have stuck with cast iron!

[Captkaos]

So heads aren't specific to the type of cam you are running, only the springs and when you buy the new cam kit it will have new springs to match.
If I am going this deep in I would get aluminum heads.  AFR, Dart, Summit branded, Jegs branded.
Again picking heads goes back to the original question and depends on target compression, and Valvetrain range.

[Shifty]

If it means anything, big +1 for AFR heads, more so if they've been ported by Tony Mamo (though not very useful without a fair amount of cam/compression)

[Mike81K10]

There are two cams I am leaning to and was wondering if the idle will be rough or real choppy, I am not interested in a really rough idle. Slightly or a little I am OK with. I am just concerned with HP and Torque and good RPM for Hwy driving, towing, and pulling. I am looking at AFR heads and a few others but figure it best to figure out the cam so I can match up the heads. I am also thinking about buying the Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake Manifolds 7101, does anyone have feedback on it?

Although I am leaning towards these two, I am still looking. What kind or part number rocker arms would you need with these and pushrod suggestions if I were to buy a set of AFR aluminum heads.

COMP Cams 'Xtreme 4x4' Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshaft - Part Number: 249-CL12-239-3:
Specifications:
Part Type - Camshaft and Lifter Kit
Product Line - Comp Cams 'Xtreme 4x4' Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshafts
Advertised Duration - 262 int./270 exh.
Advertised Exhaust Duration - 270
Advertised Intake Duration - 262
Assembly Lubricant Included - Yes
Basic Operating RPM Range - 1,300-5,600
Cam Style - Hydraulic flat tappet
Computer-Controlled Compatible - No
Duration at 050 inch Lift - 218 int./226 exh.
Engine Make/Size - Chevy Small Block (262-400)
Exh. Duration @ .050 in. (Deg) - 226
Exh. Duration Advertised (Deg) - 270
Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift - 226
Exhaust Valve Lift - 0.48 in (12.192 mm)
Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio - 0.48
Gaskets Included - No
Grind Number - CS X4 262H-11
Int. Duration @ .050 in. (Deg) - 218
Int. Duration Advertised (Deg) - 262
Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift - 218
Intake Valve Lift - 0.462 in (11.735 mm)
Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio i - 0.462
Lifter Style - Hydraulic flat tappet
Lifter Type - Hydraulic Flat Tappet
Lifters Included - Yes
Lobe Separation (Deg) - 111
Locks Included - No
Package Depth - 25.40
Package Height - 5.50
Package Width - 3.30
Part Category - Performance Parts
Pushrods Included - No
Quantity - Sold as a kit
RPM Range - 1300-5600
Retainers Included - No
Rocker Arms Included - No
Shipping Weight - 13.25
Timing Chain and Gears Included - No
Usage - Street/Performance
Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio - 0.462 int./0.480 exh.
Valve Springs Included - No
Valve Springs Required - Yes
Valve Stem Seals Included - No
Vendor Part Number - CL12-239-3

COMP Cams 'Xtreme 4x4' Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshaft for Small Block Chevys - Part Number: 249-CL12-243-3
Specifications:
Part Type - Camshaft and Lifter Kit
Product Line - Comp Cams 'Xtreme 4x4' Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshafts
Advertised Duration - 270 int./278 exh.
Advertised Exhaust Duration - 278
Advertised Intake Duration - 270
Assembly Lubricant Included - Yes
Basic Operating RPM Range - 1,800-6,000
Cam Style - Hydraulic flat tappet
Computer-Controlled Compatible - No
Duration at 050 inch Lift - 226 int./234 exh.
Engine Make/Size - Chevy Small Block (262-400)
Exh. Duration @ .050 in. (Deg) - 234
Exh. Duration Advertised (Deg) - 278
Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift - 234
Exhaust Valve Lift - 0.498 in (12.649 mm)
Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio - 0.498
Gaskets Included - No
Grind Number - CS X4 270H-11
Int. Duration @ .050 in. (Deg) - 226
Int. Duration Advertised (Deg) - 270
Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift - 226
Intake Valve Lift - 0.48 in (12.192 mm)
Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio (i - 0.48
Lifter Style - Hydraulic flat tappet
Lifter Type - Hydraulic Flat Tappet
Lifters Included - Yes
Lobe Separation (Deg) - 111
Locks Included - No
Package Depth - 3.00
Package Height - 5.50
Package Width - 5.50
Part Category - Performance Parts
Part Fitment - Semi Universal
Pushrods Included - No
Quantity - Sold as a kit
RPM Range - 1800-6000
Retainers Included - No
Rocker Arms Included - No
Shipping Weight - 13.30
Timing Chain and Gears Included - No
Usage - Street/Performance
Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio - 0.480 int./0.498 exh.
Valve Springs Included - No
Valve Springs Required - Yes
Valve Stem Seals Included - No
Vendor Part Number - CL12-243-3

[Shifty]

I'm partial to the Crower/Norris design rocker arm, and you could run a 1.6 ratio to sneak a bit more lift.  As far as pushrods, CompCams units are fine, you shouldn't have a ton of valve spring pressure with either cam choice anyway. 

[Mike81K10]

Well, I just made a custom order for a set of AFR 195cc SBC Enforcer Cylinder Heads 1001 to be matched with Hyd Flat Tappet springs for a COMP Cams 'Xtreme 4x4' Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshaft for Small Block Chevys - Part Number: 249-CL12-243-3 (specs was the last one I provided). AFR said, the head build request will go in right away and should be built by Friday, then mailed out. I will decide on an intake and rockers over the next few days.

[Shifty]

We used to call them "Air-Search and Re-flow"...

[Mike81K10]

Does anyone here use a cam degree kit to degree their camshaft? I have never done it before. However, I am thinking about trying to do it this time around.

[JohnnyPopper]

I've got one around here
but I CAN seem to find it...

[Captkaos]

Depending on the type of build in the past I have used a degree wheel, but I haven't touched a BBC (nor SBC) internally for the past 20 years.
Modern cams are typically a tighter tolerance than before, If I were building just a driver I would probably just throw it in there and be done.

[VileZambonie]

Dial in your timing marks with the piston at TDC and check the cam using a degree wheel. Don't put your trust in today's products being manufactured right. More often than not, they are pretty well spot on but why not check it? I ordered a replacement 350 crank and mic'd it up. It was .200" under spec. Clearly the guy who machined it was eating a ham sandwich and looking at his phone when he sent it.

[Mike81K10]

What should the cylinder measurements be for a 350 bored 30, 40, 60 over? I am doing checks on my engine block because the former machine shop did nor appear to have been very dependable. My bore is currently 4 1/32" / 4.03125 on all cylinders and appears to be consistent throughout. I doing all the measurements to ensure it is right. I will go with another block if needed.

My old pistons that was in this engine had close tolerances they are 4 1/64" / 4.015625.

[VileZambonie]

They should bore the engine with your new pistons on hand. Did they have them when they did the machining?

[Mike81K10]

I don't recall! It was too many years ago. How much difference should there be between the piston and the cylinder bore? If you have a balanced rotating assembly and change the pistons with new ones, does that throw off the balance?