I have a '85 c10. I also have a 350 small block in my garage. Its a gm goodwrench long block. I have no idea what kind of compression it has or if theres anyway to find out. I was wondering what kind of power can I get out of this with a cam, intake, carburetor. and what I should go with. I want a fun driver. I'm not looking to take it to the track or anything. But I want to roast some tires.

 

Being an 85 c-10, you probably have a road gear in your 10 bolt, like a 3.08 or 2.70ish. First update would be a rear end, maybe go up to a 3.42 or 3.73. You can find them in scrap yards all over in early 90's burbans that will bolt right in.

Go with a nice cam/intake/spring combo. With a GOOD carb on it. I built a 350 using the Performer RPM stuff from Edelbrock, used stock compression and heads on a GM crate 260hp 350. I was up over 310hp and it was a blast to drive. Had a noticable lope at idle. I did run a 2200 rpm stall in my trans and had a firm shift kit.

You could toss in a mild RV cam, buy a nice alum intake, get a Edelbrock 1406 carb for cheap, headers and full exhaust and probably be very pleased with the outcome.

 

Jeg's and Summit sell some budget cam and lifter kits for like $100, pick one of those up, intake I would suggest a dual plane of some sort, and a carb, 600cfm should be plenty enough for a fun driver. 4.10s would be a nice wake up also.

 

I already installed headers and dual flowmasters dumped at the rear so it sounds great. but the 305 is done. It keeps overheating. It blew auto zone radiators, then I swapped to the bigblock radiator for that year. It's still overheating. I've tried several thermostats, a couple water pumps. What's left next a compression leak? Is there anything I may be overlooking?

 

Your not by any chance getting a water pump for a TBI engine are you? They run backwards from carbed engines.
Do you get any bubbles in the coolant while the engine is running? Check the engine COLD with the radiator cap off. If its got a blown head gasket you'll see bubbles in the radiator.

Sounds like you have a great exhaust set up for that 350 engine your talking about!

 

Yeah I didn't know if I should go with longtubes or shortys. I have no complaints with the Hedman shortys. sounds great. They run straight to the back. I didn't know if I should put maybe an x pipe in it or not. or the benefits of it.

With the overheating problem. I made dang sure I got the water pump for the '85. When it overheats- I take the cap off. start the truck. the water sucks in and back up to the top over and over. then after about ten minutes of idling it boils over.

 

Have you flushed the block and radiator?

 

Yessir. Tried that a few times.
I'm startin to think it's just time to pull out the ole 305 and find something funner.
I could either spend a ton of money on the 350 in my garage or a ton of money on a 5.3/4l60 swap. lol i'm a little torn.

 

whoo hooo, 1st post!!!! another boob!

i'd go w/ the 5.3/4l60e. thats what i'm researching now. looking at right around $2500 for everything. do a search through some of bowtieguy79's threads. lots of great info for the swap.

i am building a '78 c10 silverado from the frame up and have decided to ditch the crate 350 sitting in my garage for some newage muscle. when i'm done i will have modern day performance under classic style. ive done a lot of reading and thinking and i honestly think the best choice is the 5.3-(6.0-if u find a deal) investment wise and performance wise. i have the 6.0 in my gto and i couldnt be any more impressed with everything from performance, mileage, and reliability! just my .02... Dennis

heres a link to my build if intrested http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=345612

 

Yeah I feel the same way as you. I'll more then likely go the 6.0/4l80 route. I have a 5.3 in Sierra. Unless I decide to go 6.0 in the sierra and 5.3 in the c10either way. I have never been more impressed with how reliable and mind blowing these motors can perform. I believe I have no other choice.

I have questions as far as fuel pumps/fuel tanks go. Id rather not go fuel cell.
Speedometer, cruise control, ignition, drive shaft, i'm sure i'm leaving a bunch of other stuff out as well. I have however found Motor mounts on my own! lol

And when I get a motor/tranny. There will be plenty of beer and whiskey to go around to whoever wants to turn a wrench.