88 suburban 350 rebuild questions.

[rfriese]

Going off my previous thread. I did further digging into the build in my burb. Not much but what I could with the heads off. So the stroke was done to 3.562 with .040 oversize flat top pistons with valve reliefs. The heads are the stock 810 with oversized intake and exhaust valves. Making the engine a 365 ci. Only thing I’ve found is these builds are typically circle track motors or old school stroker. What would you do if it was your motor?

 

[Ricko1966]

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[GTX63]

Without any other infor in this thread, it would depend on what I wanted my Suburban to do. I am an old school guy; I rebuild them as they originally were with better breathing heads and maybe a little hair on the cam and send it. I'd sell the dirt track block and put the money into another one.
I'm betting that isn't you.

 

[75gmck25]

What is your goal for the engine ( what will you use the Suburban for), and what is your budget?

Most significant weakness of the Gen 1 SBC is the smog-era heads. They have poor flow and low compression for high HP build. Very fixable, but starting out with a purchase of new heads can jack up the budget quickly.

 

[rfriese]

my idea was not anything crazy just a good cruiser that does some off road sometimes. I like the torque don’t care for high revving motor especially in a 2500 suburban. Don’t really have a market on a remote island for engine swaps. want a reliable motor that can run on regular pump gas. Heads and cam are probably the reality. I was just looking for ideas or if there’s been similar builds out there. Thanks all.

 

[Ricko1966]

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[fast 99]

One thing to consider is putting a leg in it. There's no substitute for CI. Scat parts are decent even made in China.

First thing would find out of the heads are usable. If not, that decision is already made. In reality if the heads need a lot of work [money] buy an aftermarket set. Wish I would have done that on my last 350 but it was during the Covid lockdowns, nothing was available. Both heads were cracked, cores I found needed a lot of work. Motor runs ok but not exactly a head snapper.

 

[Ricko1966]

Going off my previous thread. I did further digging into the build in my burb. Not much but what I could with the heads off. So the stroke was done to 3.562 with .040 oversize flat top pistons with valve reliefs. The heads are the stock 810 with oversized intake and exhaust valves. Making the engine a 365 ci. Only thing I’ve found is these builds are typically circle track motors or old school stroker. What would you do if it was your motor?

This would actually be a cheap zero deck engine build, the extra stroke will tighten up the quench,use your head gasket and and a little math to set it for .040 clearance.

 

[Snoots]

Port match your heads and intake and smooth out any bumps in the exhaust ports. Don't forget to wear goggles and mask while you're grinding.

 

[rfriese]

This would actually be a cheap zero deck engine build, the extra stroke will tighten up the quench,use your head gasket and and a little math to set it for .040 clearance.

Sitting here thinking what process you’re talking about. I am a newbie with engine building. Typically a repair when broke person. This is my project truck and want to learn. Are you saying making the head to block clearance .040? Or something I’m not getting. Another idea I’ve been throwing around is going in reverse and going to carb setup. I like the tbi but always an issue.

 

[Ricko1966]

Yes I'm sure that was part of the reason they ground the crank that way. By running cylinder head to piston clearance of .040 you get the best combustion and,least knock sensitivity. Normally you would assemble the engine check where the pistons park in the bore,disassemble the engine and machine material off the block to park the pistons at zero then set clearance with the head gasket. Then you'll need to check rocker arm geometry,and shorten pushrods accordingly . Damn near everything I built for myself for 15 years I zero decked. But if the crank is offset ground and parking the pistons closer to zero,you'll accomplish something similiar with less work. If you check where the pistons are parked in the bore,I'd bet they are about zero.