Step-by-Step: Building a Budget-Friendly Chevy 350
Slide Show
Like most of you, we're devotees of big horsepower engines covered with the latest go-fast stuff like so much hot fudge on a sundae. However, we also recognize that for every person who builds a flash motor, there are probably 10 guys assembling basic, beer-budget street engines. While these motors won't set records at the track or cause crowds to gather, they are built with the same dedication and care that go into the big buck powerplants.
That's what The Basics is all about: reliable, affordable engines designed to deliver performance a notch or two above what rolled out of the factory. We're talking engines with cast bottom ends, factory cylinder heads, hydraulic cams, and carburetors here. Billet cranks, aftermarket aluminum heads, big cams, or electronic fuel injection need not apply.
Plucked from the remains of a 1977 Malibu wagon, our subject Chevy 350 is the quintessential low compression, smog-era engine. But after we're through with it, the small block will be more than enough motor to power its new host, a 1950 Studebaker Champion, wherever owner Rick Hinton wants to go.
But that doesn't mean a budget engine has to be a slug. By carefully selecting factory and aftermarket components, doing basic machine work, and paying attention to assembly procedures, you can put together an engine that will make more than enough power for a mild street car, street rod, or pickup. And for those of you who can't resist turning the wick up a little, we have a list of upgrade parts that'll hot up your engine nicely.
| SUM-133-M139-00 | Summit Piston Ring Set for Chevy 350, standard bore |
| FEM-4663M | Federal Mogul Main Bearing Set, Chevy 350 |
| FEM-2555CP | Federal Mogul Rod Bearing Set, Chevy 350 |
| FEM-1235M | Federal Mogul Cam Bearing Set, Chevy 350 |
| SLP-260-1000 | Sealed Power Gasket Set, Chevy 350 |
| SUM-121155 | Summit High-Volume Oil Pump, Chevy 350 |
| SUM-K1100 | Summit Hydraulic Cam and Lifter Set, Chevy 350 |
| SUM-G6600 | Summit True Roller Timing Chain Set, Chevy 350 |
| SUM-G6400 | Summit Pushrod Set, Chevy 350 |
| EDL-2101 | Edelbrock Performer Intake Manifold, non-EGR, Small Chevy |
| EDL-1405 | Edelbrock Performer Carburetor, 600 cfm/manual choke |
| SUM-250000 | Summit Chrome Mechanical Fuel Pump, 80 GPH, Small Chevy |
| SUM-850010 | Summit Cap and Rotor Kit for GM HEI |
| SUM-G5210 | Summit HEI Wiring Harness |
| ACC-7031 | Accel 300+ Ignition Wire, universal fit for HEI |
| SUM-G3500X | Summit Oil Pan, Bare Steel, Small Chevy |
| SUM-G100SFI | Summit SFI Flexplate, 168-tooth, Small Chevy |
| SUM-G1075 | Summit Adjustable Billet Ring Compressor, 4 |
| SUM-PG1 | Summit Plastigage Kit |
| ARP-100-9903 | ARP Assembly Lube |
