Serious Question Should I go Ahead And Rebuild The 350 Since I Have Everything Except Oil Pump And Piston/ Rings.....I have To Tear The Block down To Inspect It As Is,Or Buy The 403 From My teacher Thats All Complete Except For Intake It's .30 over has a unknown cam in it and has new oil pump and the heads are re-done.......i can't decide because im suppose to pick up the 403 tomorrow........my dilemma is i need to get my car back running so i feel better being back in my own vehicle
I Need Your Guys opinion.....The Guy At My Local Machine Shop Told Me To Just Do The 350 Since I Just Put Money Into My #5 Heads And Had My New Crank Polished.

 

If you trust the rebuild quality of the 403, I'd do that. You can put the #5 heads on it too if you wanted, but make sure the higher CR matches the cam.

 

if i put the 5 heads on i may just swap in my xe 268 cam,its just been a big debate for me because im looking at benefits and the non-benefits,because for the 350 i have cam bearings/frost plugs,the full gasket set,the xe 268 cam,performer rpm intake,650 holley spreadbore, the 403 has never been ran since my teacher rebuilt it it was for his 77 trans am ,i want to do the 350 but in the same since i want to be back up and running by next week

 

Like everything in life, there are pros and cons to both. How much does he want for the 403 (now 409)? Big cubes in an SBO platform. But, thin-a$$ cylinder walls, Siamesed Cylinders. Difficult to bore/hone correctly, can have overheating issues.

350, sturdy, dependable, and you have it. But it won't get done (properly) in a week. Are you planning a complete rebuild with machine work or just a re-ring? What year 350 is it?

 

its a 73 block, 350 i have a new crank for it clevite bearings for the rods,mains and cam and the machine shop wants me to tear it down and let him now what the cylinders look like first and the 403 im getting for 400 its a hell of a deal like you mentioned about the siamesed cylinders and it being easier to overheat,im kind of scared to get it because of the way i drive,i love to speed.its been a tough week on making decisions

 

403

it's mostly done

even if you stick with a mild cam and 4A heads
DISPLACEMENT
easy swap, same external dimensions

 

I'm Still Undecided,I'd Rather Do The 350 Because I Basically Have All New Parts Going In And I Have Damn Near Everything,minus Rings And Oil Pump, True Enough That The 403 Is Done,But The 2 Things I Need Is Cheaper,It Will Cost me 35 To have The New Cam Bearing And Freeze Plugs Put In And The Rings Isn't A Bad Job ,But In the Same Sense I Want To Be Back Up And Running This Coming
Week