Cam selection and other questions

[chefk85]

Hey everyone. I haven't been working on anything lately as its been a really big cold winter in Idaho this year. I am gathering parts for my next project coming this spring. I have a goodwrench 350 sitting around that I am going to throw a few parts at and stick in the old girl. I really need to find out if its a flat tappet or hydro cam engine but its stock. that I know. With all the snow weve gotten the past 2 winters I will be putting a plow on before next winter. Questions are..what cam is a good one for low end torque in an engine with stock heads(I will get head ID)? If I can find affordable heads I may go that route as well. Is there a build thread out there to follow that would meet my Daily driver and plow truck requirements?This is my first engine "build" so I just want drop in parts if I can get away with it. Not going to start from the bottom unless I absolutely have to. I will follow up with engine and head ID. trans will be a rebuilt TH350 unless a TH400 conversion is simple. That is what is currently mated to the 350ci I have.

Thanks,
chefk85

[coreyjhen]

For a flat tappet cam in a Goodwrench 350, it's hard to beat the Edelbrock Performer. Summit, Speed Pro, and probably others have one with the same specs (204º intake duration @ .050" valve lift). Combine it with a two-plane manifold like the Performer, Summit, or Weiand, and a set of small-tube (1 1/2" or 1 5/8") headers and good dual exhaust, and you have a great daily driver.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

What gears? I like the previous recommendation. If you have a 3.73 and no overdrive, I think a bit more duration would be fine - like a 214/224 @.50 I.E summit 1103.

[chefk85]

Gears are 3.07s non posi. May be looking at a different set like 3.73s for a little more on the low end for pushing snow.

[coreyjhen]

250Shifter is on the right track - if you bump the gears, go with the hotter cam. You will also want a little more compression, so switch out the head gaskets for some .015" shim gaskets to bump it a half-point or so.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Pushing snow? Regardless of gears I'd go no more than that edelbrock performer cam. You've got a heavy truck, it would actually be best suited to the stock cam with 3.07 gears.

[garyd1961]

Need to know what motor you have before picking a cam, GM crate engine doesn't tell us much. We need to know what heads and how much compression it has. If it's one of the 8.5:1 compression motors it's a waste of time putting a cam in it unless you are going to change the heads.

[Mike C]

Keep the .050 duration under 210 degrees and pick your favorite manufacturers cam. I run a Crane 266 in the Jimmy which is comparable to the Comp 260. But just about everybody makes a cam in that range that would be more than acceptable. And I find the Summit branded parts to be a great value.

[clay68c10]

If it's a roller cam compatible block, get the factory roller stuff from a Vortec block and use it. Maybe the heads too if your CR will work out.
Pull a valve cover and You can see in thru the head casting gaps and pushrod holes to the valley. The lifter boss tops will be machined and there will be 3? cast areas above the cam bore that can be tapped to hold the lifter retainer.

[agawam]

lunati 10120700, this Voodoo cam is great, horsepower starts at idle with peak at 4300, max torque is at 3900, hp and tqe follow close pattern, I have one in my 82 C20, 383 engine pulls unbelievable, I put one in a buddys truck with a 350 and chevy brown valve springs pulls great in his also

[chefk85]

Thanks for all of your reccomendations. The snow finally melted enough to get out and get at least a partial I'd of the donor engine. I can see 100660 by the bellhousing. Hoping someone might be able to shed some light on this or tell me I need more info. Thanks again

Chefk85

[Boog]

http://www.castingnumbers.info/site/search/100660

[Captainfab]

With 31/10.50 tires I would definitely be running 3.73 gears in a plow truck. As for a cam, the Summit 1102 or 1103 cam or similar, depending on how you build the engine and what the compression will be.

[chefk85]

Okay. Update time and time for more advice. Ive about got the 350 donor out of my old suburban. I did post casting numbers or most of it. Looks like a standard goodwrench crate engine. flat tappet cam. I am going to be fixing this up with my father over the next couple few months. I have a budget and trying not to go over 1500.00 I am leaning towards a set of GMPP vortec heads and going from there. I am only doing top end. heads, intake, cam and lifters, new pushrods(I think ill need diff length?), seal kit, new oil pump and headers. Will be possibly reusing qjet as the one on it is in good working order and a carb will most likely push me over budget. I also just bought a 500cfm summit brand carb for the 283 that's in it last fall. Gotta hide that from the wife . If anyone has a tried and true mild DD build in this budget range please speak up with results and happiness factor. I have never dug this far into an engine before but have many tools and am confident in my mechanical ability. I will need help choosing a package that works with little kinks. Cam and heads being number one with lifters rods springs and rocker arms second. I really appreciate this community and everyones experience and input. I will be putting this in my build thread as one mans how to for other people to see.

Thanks in advance
Chefk85

[coreyjhen]

Scoggin-Dickey offers a Vortec conversion kit for under $1100 (http://bit.ly/2nkIkC3). It comes with an Edelbrock Performer manifold, heads, rocker arms, gaskets, and all fasteners. Using the supplied .028" gasket with your Goodwrench will give you compression in the 9-9.25 range, which is ideal for a 204º-210º degree cam, which all the manufacturers make. Combine that with a good set of small-tube headers and your Q-jet, and it will make a great daily driver.

[chefk85]

Thanks for the suggestions and the scoggin dicey package is one I am considering. On another note I am looking at the edelbrock top end kit 2202. It looks like it's all there. Wondering if pushrods need changed and about rocker arms. Don't see them as part of it. Anyhow it's right in my budget range and has dyno proven results of 318 hp 396 or something torque. Also if I wait until September they will be offering their top it off promo which basically gets you a free carb. Anyone had experience with this package or heard of any downsides?

[GRX]

Edelbrock kit 2022 you mean?

Do not forget a new set of valve springs. The most common overlooked part of most rebuilds. Valve float from worn springs is your enemy and can kill advantage of new cam.

[chefk85]

Yes 2022. It would include the springs. Heads are assembled.

[GRX]

Was thinking that was a bare head set. My bad.

[chefk85]

Seems like a good deal for proven power and all the guesswork taken out. It's plenty of torque but a little more hp than 318 would be nice. Vs the cost and planning of mixing parts I think this is the route I'm planning on at this time. Would like input from anyone with experience with this kit. Probably should start a new thread?

[Captainfab]

I don't want to discourage you but the Edelbrock top end kit seems a bit overkill to me for how you will be using the truck. Plus that is going to put you a good bit over your $1500 budget by the time you buy the rest of the parts you will need.

I would suggest just keeping the heads that are on the engine and having them rebuilt. Have them milled a little bit to true them up and give a slight bump in compression when combined with a thin head gasket. A generic version of the Performer cam such as Summit 1102 will be fine. Then you will need an intake manifold and carb (that 500 cfm will be too small). Then you will have other expenses such as a gasket set, timing chain and gears and a new oil pump pickup screen and drive shaft wouldn't hurt. And all of the little things you will need and you will be surprised how quick that $1500 goes. But with this recipe, you will still have a good reliable engine and will way out perform that little 283 you have. The 283's don't make much torque and that is what you need in a heavy truck being used like you will be. Just my .02

[chefk85]

Update on this thread...Also would like some more input...I have 99% decided to go with a blueprint engines 350...Not only does it make decent power but has a warranty as well...I could rebuild the top end on my existing donor and find out it has many more miles than I was told..Its not a lot of money and comes with a dyno sheet and seems like a great deal to me. Heres the link to this crate engine...http://blueprintengines.com/index.ph...t1-gm-base-350

[GRX]

No personal experience with BP. Have heard they are decent engines. And customer service is very good. Interesting how it states roller cam but says flat tappet in the finer print. Web page listing overlap no doubt.

May have changed. BP were built by Marshall Engines which has been around for a very long time. Should check locally under that name for pricing and availability for possible savings on shipping. NAPA in my area used to carry them. Have not checked recently.

[Captainfab]

I would contact Blueprint Engines and ask if they recommend a stall converter with that engine. That cam is on the borderline of needing a stall converter. IMO that engine is not really suited for a 4x4, especially if a stall converter is needed.

[chefk85]

No stall converter reccomended for this engine. Are you saying cam is too big as far as where power will be? Vacuum problems? Elaborate. If so is there a crate out there with similar price and power numbers? Im only thinking crate now because I'm unsure of the condition of the donor I have. I don't want machine work or price of bottom end build.