Need some help... I purchased a 1980 c10 and it has a olds 350 # 39558.
I am wanting to rebuild the engine well the whole truck but right now im focused on the engine I want to get 400-450 hp. Is that too much? and also I want a good lope to is so I will be getting a comp cam where is a good site or place to purchase aftermarket parts and is it worth it with the engine that I have..

 

I meant 395558 sorry, forgot a 5

 

purchased c10 and it had an olds 350... will be taking it apart this weekend to rebuild it trying to get 400-450 hp. I want a lope sound which cam should I get and what other parts should I upgrade oh and yes it will be going back in the c10

 

Edelrock makes a top end package that claims around 400 HP. You need headers and the right sized carb for that number thou.

You are going to want a decent cam that can still make vacuum without a pump.

 

it came with a edelbrock carb idk much about it though... after this weekend I will be tearing down the engine so I should know everything about it

 

What are you going to use the truck for? Only driving or are you going to work it? If it will tow or work don't focus on HP. You will need TQ. For the power level you are looking for a 350 will be making that power at higher rpm. That means you will need gears, headers, aluminum heads or heavily ported iron heads. For your power goals a BBO will easily get there and be more pleasant to drive on the street.

 

You have a lot more planning/budgeting to do in order to get 400-450hp out of that 350. When you come up with the rest of your combo then we can help with your cam choice.
At the very least you'll need really good heads (aftermarket or at least mildly ported stockers), an Edelbrock 7111 intake and at least a 750 carb, headers and all the rest of the normal stuff.

 

i think the first step you should consider is replacing the 350 with a 455. i have had a few of these trucks with olds big blocks and even a low compression stock 455 will move it along quite well and the stock diesel dual exhaust had a good sound. my 1980 gmc 8ft fleetside with a mildly built 455 , turbo 400 with 4:10s ran 13.2. not bad for 4000 lbs

 

I dont really care how fast it is i am looking at around $1500 to $2000 on the engine.. i mostly want it to sound good and spin the tires also i want the lope soumd

 

It would just be a weekend, truck if that. I probably wont pull anything with it.. i want it to spin the tires and sound real nice with a lope sound... im think8ng of a budget up to around 2k

 

I dont really care how fast it is i am looking at around $1500 to $2000 on the engine.. i mostly want it to sound good and spin the tires also i want the lope sound


AND

will be taking it apart this weekend to rebuild it trying to get 400-450 hp






Wow. 400-450 hp for under $2K. These are the most unrealistic expectations ever on an Olds 350.


I will make this fast & painless for you. NOT HAPPENING.


Welcome to the site. In the future you only need to post your question in one sub forum not the same question in three different places.

 

So does that mean more money? And how much im willing to go up a few thousand if need be.

 

I merged your 2 threads so we don't get duplicate responses.

 

Thanks, and i see ur from grandbury. Im from cleburne myself well my parents.. i joined the military and moved away

 

I had a '72 C-10 with a completely used-up low compression SBC 350, I could spin the wheels all day long - it was a pickup truck, and there was no weight over the wheels.

Just sayin'.

Welcome to ClassicOlds.

- Eric

 

Thank you for your service, the military brought me to Texas about 34 years ago from the E Coast. What is wrong with your engine currently, does it run well now?

 

Well i bought it from the fater in law he lives in glen rose tx, he was driving it to arkansas and about 2 hours 3 hours after he left he called me to pick him up. I removed the oil pan and the rod bearing were bad well 2 of them the rest were good he didnt run it long after it started messing up so i guess that helped. So far its just the rod bearings

 

Exactly. And, this does not only apply to Oldsmobiles..........

 

What does not apply to oldsmobiles

 

No he said does not apply ONLY to Oldsmobiles. That would be thinking you can get over 400 HP out of a small block for 2k or less. It's no different with Chevy, Ford, Mopar, etc., to get to that power level with only 350 cubes you have to invest a lot more than 2K. Machine shop work alone might eat close to half of that, that is if you want to do it RIGHT, which would then mean new pistons to get the compression up if it's a low comp model , then good heads, intake, ignition, headers and finally the lopey cam you want.
I have well over 4k in my 455 that I estimate in the 450 HP range, a 350 will cost more because you'll have to wind it up pretty high to make that HP

 

it's entirely possible to find a good running 455 in a rusted out 98 for $2000 or less,plug in and play

 

I agree 100% on the 455 thoughts. A 400-450 hp SBO isn't going to have the torque down low where you'll probably want it (and it will, without doubt, easily over-run your $1.5-2K budget just for the short block build). Imo the average good running junkyard 455 BBO is the perfect eng for what you want (you might even be happy with a 2bll carb version). Btw, my '72 1/2 ton LB 402/400(?) BBC C10 would spin the wheels for about as long as you wanted. And that was with an original stock 100K miles motor. Definitely was a fun truck to drive in my book.

 

"looking at around $1500 to $2000 on the engine..."

Have you looked thru a catalog lately or discussed procedures and pricing with a machine shop? The cheapest AL heads I have seen are around $1200, and a good rebuild on iron heads can cost nearly that. That leaves, after a gasket set and whatnot, about $300 for everything else including machine shop work?

Your reality check just bounced.

:-)

Make a spreadsheet with actual numbers and the parts you want.
The total of the costs column may surprise you.
And, that is if NOTHING goes wrong.

A big block fits right in the same spot, with slight exhaust modifications. The same money used to massage a BB will produce a better seat of the pants return on investment. Running rusty car as a motor donor is a GREAT idea- thru to get a Toronado- the best engines- the company flagship.

 

I think this has pretty much been de-bunked, there isn't any internal difference with a Toronado engine.

 

Uh, except for the bigger valves and 4-barrel carb, as compared to the same standard 455s from the same year.

 

... And the different cam in some years, and bigger lifters in some years...

- Eric

 

Up to & including 1971 but starting in 1972 the Toro engines are no different than the B/C body car engines.

 

Okay so im way over my head than... so what should i do with this engine all i really care about is the lope, exhaust sound and burning a little rubber, i know headers and probably flowmaster exhaust, but the lope sound can i just put a cam in or would i have to upgrade other things as well. Im looking to spend 2k on parts... i have a seperate budget for the machine shop

 

Eric, I am not certain, but I do not think that is correct.

 

Again, not certain, but I do not believe this is correct, either, other that a 4 bbl, which other BBOs also came with.

 

Here is the problem, if you put enough cam in it to have a "lope", chances are it will not burn rubber, as the components won't match. With a nice little cam, the car will run great, burn rubber, but will idle nice. I always suggest finding a build that meets your goals, then copy it. Look around on here, see who has a car that looks like what you are shooting for, and ask him for the particulars.