355 Tested And Ready To Go In

[ChaseDale3and8]

It's been a while since I've been on here, but I wanted to post the latest progress for my '86 K10 short bed. The stock 305 and clutch are about to give up the ghost. I built this small block for it almost 4 years ago. Was saving it to install when I could do a total frame off, but that isn't going to happen for quite some time since I have a lot of other things going on right now. I have to keep this truck up and running since it is also used as a 3rd vehicle when needed, and HAS to be dependable. I haven't driven it daily for the last 3 years since the 305 and clutch are in such bad shape.

So, I dragged this 355 that I built for it out of the mothballs and pretty much have it prepped, tested, and ready to go in now. This video is actually the 3rd start up since I had some fuel leaking at the fittings and at the pump on the second try after I changed carbs and lines out since I thought that I had a problem with the Holley that I originally put on it. And....NO, I didn't let it idle! It has a flat tappet cam! Specs are as follows:

4 bolt main 0010 350 block bored .030 over
Factory forged steel crank, .010/.010 (1182)
PM forged GM rods set up for floating pins
Speed Pro 2VR pistons
"487" GM heads,  ported, polished, 2.02/1.60 S.S. valves
Complete Comp Cams valvetrain and 1.52 roller tip rockers. 268 XE Comp cams flat tappet hydraulic cam. 224@.050/230@.050 duration, .477/.480 lift.
Hedman ceramic coated 1 3/4" large tube headers.
GM Performance Parts dual plane intake manifold.
Carter AFB carburetor.

Now it's a matter of doing the hard part and getting it put in! Hope this video works! Enjoy! ...Joe

[bake74]

     Welcome back, sounds like a good running engine, so when do you plan on swapping out the engine ?

[ChaseDale3and8]

I'd like to start on the tear down this weekend. I don't work as fast as I used to so this may take me a while to get done! I'm also going to have to do it in the driveway since I have the garage FULL of other projects including a 1981 Z28 Camaro. I'll try to keep updates on here. They sure don't care over at 67-72chevytrucks.com. Not even ONE reply on the 73-87 page after I posted the same thing there!

[reload]

What trans are you running?

[Avidyn]

I've noticed the same thing about the other site. I get a lot more feedback and help through this site.

Looks like a pretty nice motor. Good luck with the swap!

[Captkaos]

Welcome back, nice progress!

[fitz]

Looks good.
Any pics of the 81 Z?

[bake74]

  They sure don't care over at 67-72chevytrucks.com. Not even ONE reply on the 73-87 page after I posted the same thing there!

     Well I am not on that site.     I have found that this forum is by far the friendliest and helpful on the net so far.

[ChaseDale3and8]

Thanks for the replies guys. This site does seem to be a whole lot better when it comes to getting a reply! A whole lot friendlier crowd over here for sure! I guess you have to be in a certain "click" over there for them to even give a dang. That is one of the main reasons that I haven't been on their site for close to a year. I'm not going to waste my time putting up a post if they only look at it and have nothing to say.

I'm running a 4-speed manual trans, so I don't have to worry about stall speed on a converter. This cam should pull good vacuum for the power brakes and air conditioning, which still works but really needs to get a once over and a recharge if I'm going to use it again.

Pics of the Z28 Camaro are on photobucket.com. My screen name over there is the same (ChaseDale3and8)here is a link to try, hope it works: http://s663.photobucket.com/albums/uu353/ChaseDale3and8/Z28%20Build/

The Z28 is another long term project that I picked up about 3 years ago as a rolling chassis. It sure got some rough treatment during it's life, but so far hasn't been all rusted out like so many others that I've seen. I already have a 383 stroker and Turbo 400 built and ready to go in as soon as I get everything cleaned up and painted/ and or powder coated.

This old K10 of mine is my parts hauler for the Z28, and my general work horse around here. I used to drive it daily until 3 years or so ago, but the 305 and clutch are so weak now that it needs some attention, so the Z28 has to be put to the side temporarily. Once the K10 is back up and running again, I'm planning to jump back on the Z28 to hopefully make some more forward progress! ....Joe

[bake74]

     So do you have any pics of the k10 ?

[ChaseDale3and8]

Here's one. Ugly as sin and needs a LOT of work but still my favorite vehicle!

[ChaseDale3and8]

The tear down has begun. Haven't gotten a lot done since these pictures were taken Sunday since I have been putting in a lot of overtime at work lately. I'm hoping to get the 305 uprooted sometime this week, Sunday at the latest. I have also changed my mind as to which 355 I'm going to install (I have 2 of them). The one that I've decided to install is basically the same as the one in the video posted previously with the exception of a cast crank. It also is a fresh .030 overbore 0010 block, but with 2 bolt mains. It has forged TRW flat top 4 eyebrow pistons, a Comp 280 Magnum cam, and ported and polished 993 casting heads topped with a Summit dual plane intake and Holley 600 carb. I decided that I put so much work into the first one, and that it was such a nice piece that I want to save it for an eventual frame off some day. For now, this one will do the job, and other than the cam, crank and 2 bolt mains is basically the same build. I'd bet that power output between the two would be less than 5 h.p.. Video of this one is also on photobucket. It kind of startled me since it stated right up in the test I did on it. Thought that it was going to jump right off the stand!
Video:

[bake74]

     Well you are jumping right in there for sure.

[slammed79]

Progress is progress. Keep it goin man!

[ChaseDale3and8]

Progress has been non existent this week with all the overtime that I've been pulling at work. Going to try to continue Sunday with at least getting the 305 out. My next door neighbor stopped me this morning and offered up help yanking it out if I need it. I might just take him up on that! I'd like to clean up that nasty engine bay a little bit before slipping the 355 in. This project may take a little bit longer than what I'd originally planned, but I know the results will be worth all the effort. It's going to be GREAT to have some muscle under that hood! I'll get some new pictures posted as it progresses.