355

[buriesjeeps]

Got a rebuilt 355 block today for 300$... came with flat top pistons, cast crank,  gm rods, 4 bolt main, and all completely machined and internally balanced... just wondering what would be a good offroad cam kit or seperate pieces?, which rockers should i use?, Im pretty sure i can use my 305 heads (or should i get different ones?), i have a performer intake and carb, will have set of afterburner headers, 3 inch pipe all the way back with flowmaster super 40 series delta flow mufflers... ( should i put the X-pipe before or after the mufflers?), i dont think Im missing anything i have all of my accesories form my 305 so im good there, maybe the flex plate but i think i can use the one in my 305... if there is anything i missed please let me know any help is appreciated.   Chris

[VileZambonie]

Your 305 heads you can attach a chain to and use as a boat anchor. Get yourself some good heads. What are your intentions for the truck? We can give the best recommendations if you answer some questions:

What trans do you have?
What's your gear ratio?
Is your truck a C or K?
What year is the block? You'll need a 350 flexplate and does it have a one piece or 2 piece rear main seal?
Is this a dd or a weekend warrior?
Do you want this to run on 87 octane?

Your X pipe should be b4 the mufflers

[buriesjeeps]

th350 tranny, 208 t-case, 4.56 gears, 4x4, 91 block with one piece rear, i drive the truck back and forth to work and to the off road park and i prefer 87 just cause gas prices but i still want power... i can get a set of dart iron eagle heads for 100 bucks but im not sure the specs on them? the truck is more for off road but like driving it so i drive to work otherwise i take my 05 2wd anywhere else i need to go... so basically mud and trails. what about the distributor? maybe MSD HEI? thanks for the help... Chris

[VileZambonie]

MSD distributor is good. As far as the heads go you'll need to cc the combustion chambers to find out what your compression ratio will be. Since you already have flat top pistons that you want to keep you'll have to pay close attention to this or your 87 octane is out the window. You're geared pretty low and might want to upgrade to a 700R4. Your engine is externally balanced so you'll need a flexplate for it. If you are keeping the manifold you have here's a good cam for your set up for a nice price http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=SUM%2DK1105&autoview=sku
but get the specs on those heads. Maybe just buy them anyway for $100 bucks even if they won't suit this build.

[jonkmbll89]

Chris if you everything that you have you can call the cam company that you want to use and they can tell you the best suitable cam you will need for what you have and what you are wanting to do.

[buriesjeeps]

Thanks vile the cam kit looks better than the one i was lookin at... i went ahead and bought the heads found out the are 76cc heads so if that helps out any... besides that i think all i have left to get is the rockers springs and rods??? not sure which way to go there... headers got here yesterday, they look pretty bad... im also gonna need a timing chain kit and the flexplate, already got a balancer... thanks guys, Chris

[VileZambonie]

That will keep you in a safe C/R Do the heads have screw in studs and guide plates? If not you should have them fitted with them and get hardened pushrods and get a nice set of roller rockers. Pop one of your valve springs out and have the machine shop measure it's installed height pressure and it's open pressure. Then have them measure coil bind. If it matches your cam you won't have to worry about new valve springs.

Here's what you should have with that cam:

Installed Height (in) 1.700 in.
Seat Pressure at Installed Height (lbs) 114 lbs.

Open Height (in) 1.200 in.
Open Pressure (lbs) 340 lbs.

I recommend Summitracing for most of your parts. They'll price match anyone and ship fast. They are much better than Jegs and many of the others...