Help with small block 350

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 13, 2023 | 01:11 PM

Firefighter1618

Thread Starter

Registered User

Joined: Mar 2023

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

Help with small block 350

I am not sure if I am in the right Forum.

I do not know that much about engines. I will be learning! Best way to learn is to jump in. I have always wanted to get an engine, tear it down and rebuild the entire thing and run it on an engine stand. Well, yesterday, I found a Small Block Chevy 350. This engine was going to be swapped into a boat but then they sold the boat. Last night, I was ale to do some research on the engine according to the stamped numbers. This is what I found:
4GM57LG General Motors 5.7L (not sure what the 4 or the G is)
D058 tells me April 5,1988
140936380 tells me 1987 - 1995, 350 car/truck 2/4 bolt main (mine is a 2) passenger stick, 1 piece seal, roller/flat tappet cam
V0407PJC tells me V=Flint Michigan, 04= April, 07=7th, PJC=1988 CI 350, HP195 equipment Manual Trans, Throttle Body Injection truck

It was free. It is missing the intake manifold, carb, distributor, cam, lifters, pushrods, valve covers, 2 pistons, oil pan, and probably some other stuff.
My question: How do I know what parts are the correct part when ordering? Example: the intake manifold, if it is made for a 350. are they all pretty much the same? Do they have different angles? Another Example: the Cam, I see I can buy the cam kit with the lifters, timing chain, pulleys, etc., Specs above say I can use roller or flat, How do I know which one to get? Are lifters all the same or are there different heights which would affect push rod length, etc.

The plan for this engine is to rebuild and run on a stand, not in an actual vehicle. I have a few Hit N Miss engines that I take to shows.

I will be getting a book to help guide me through the process. I will need a lot of help. I´m sure this is the first of many posts to come.

All help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Last edited by Firefighter1618; Mar 13, 2023 at 02:16 PM.

Mar 15, 2023 | 12:56 AM

BOOT77

On The Tree

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 105

Likes: 10

Your pics are too small, I can't tell much other than it's a 2 bolt main SBC

Google the head casting numbers to find out if they are older, TBI or vortec. There are 3 intake patterns. Vortecs are the only decent head if they aren't cracked, just buy aftermarket heads. By the time you fix up an old set it'll cost about the same, IF the shop does a good job(wasted $500 due to a shop not sizing my guides right, When they had the new Manley valves!).

Search roller block to figure out what cam/lifters you need But it should be pretty obvious if it has a cam retaining plate or was machined for one. Aftermarket retro rollers use a link bar.

Search and you will find books on how-to rebuild and Several specifically on the SBC, also youtube has A lot of good videos(shameless self plug, see signature)

Missing parts can be found new on ebay/amazon usually cheap overseas but decent like distributors/water pump/intake. Larger cam & other valvetrain part kits are meh, I prefer to only buy cam & lifter kits, then figure out the rest. Carbs I prefer new, most people don't sell a Good carb and seen more than a few never ran right used carbs. TB/EFI kits to replace carbs are nice for beginners. People very often over cam the SBC and then LS swap since it runs like a dog.

Marketplace and craigslist are full of torn down engines, that rusted up after initial interest was lost or they figured out how much it would cost. GL!

Reply Subscribe

Reply Share

First
Prev
1 / 1
Next
Last