With such a short stroke, why can't the 350 Olds be reved as high as a Chev 350? I'm not trying to be a jerk, I'm honestly just wondering. Is it insufficient oiling for the bottom end?

- GoldOlds

 

I don't know that it can't. I also don't know that it would be productive, in any given circumstance.

There is no reason for anyone to think so, since, asking questions, is not a qualification for being a jerk.

Not a factor.

Norm

 

The only reason i can think of, is the pistons sit at a larger angle outwards from the center of the engine, comparatively speaking to a chevy 350

 

Both 350s use a 90 degree angle between the cylinder banks - as do most V8s since this provides a natural dynamic balance (note that weird V8 configurations like the 60 deg V8 used in the second gen Taurus SHO need balance shafts).

There are a number of things that limit peak RPM. Bottom end strength (4 bolt mains vs. 2 bolt, for example), bearing speed (Olds motors have larger diameter main and rod bearings, which increases the linear speed for a given RPM), reciprocating mass, rod strength, valvetrain float, and head port flow. You can certainly build an SBO that matches an SBC for power at a given RPM. AJ Foyt ran a 350 Olds (NOT a diesel block, by the way) in a Cutlass in NASCAR in the mid 1970s. That's why CJ Batten developed those aftermarket heads in the first place.