I'm mid project of my 68 coupe 350 2bbl 2 spd auto all numbers matching, all original...mainly from sitting in storage for 35yrs...
Currently working on disc brake conversion & front end rebuild but thinking ahead to engine.
Planning to rebuild engine but wanting to balance keeping as close to stock as possible due to numbers matching but squeezing some more excitement out of the 350....
The car came with shorty headers (not installed yet) so I was thinking put those on there along with a period correct 4bbl pontoac intake and a q-jet. Since I'll be rebuilding the engine I'd probably put in a cam similar to what a 350HO had as well.
My main questions are: 1. Am on I the right track? 2. Cam part number recommendations 3. Is it all worth it if I keep the heads the current heads? Or is doing all that a waste if I don't do new heads?
Just wanting a driver, no hot rodding, drag racing....just wanting to get more to the stock 350HO levels of power.
A new camshaft and some good tuning would wake it up. Also depends on the condition of the engine on how warn out it is and trying to find pistons for a 350 if they need to be replaced.
I did the same on my '68, factory intake and Qjet with a Ram Air III camshaft really woke it up.
If you have #17 heads, a little bit of port work will be all you need. They breath pretty good for "2bbl" heads.
The biggest thing besides camshaft would be your rear end. You probably have "tall" or highway gears with that 2 speed. I recommend going to at least a 3.08.
Of course, it all depends on how much you want to spend.
It's got 70k miles so a decent amount but not totally beat on. Parked for 35yrs so it needs gone through to freshen up. Two cylinders had some black plugs, the rest looked good. Haven't actually looked inside yet....was stuck when I bought it but got it freed up to turn over...baby steps...
Yes on the 4 bbl but a cam change will make it sluggish down low with that 2 speed automatic. My opinion but unless you just want the choppy idle noise, the car will be more enjoyable with the stock cam.