My Flat Tappet Cam Wiped Out So I Decided To Go Roller

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L31MaxExpress

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Just kidding. I did have a few SBCs back in the '70s, 283s and 327s but no 265s, I'm old but not that old :lol:
I have had a 265, but it was the reverse coolant flow type. Was just a beater of a 95 Caprice that I drove for a while because it managed alot better fuel mileage than my truck. Also had a new truck and was tired of putting over 100 miles a day on it at the time. So the beater Caprice took me to and from work 4-5 days a week and the truck was my Friday-Sunday driver.
 

df2x4

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While I think letitsnow has an excellent point regarding the transmission, I vote 383 and 4L80E swap. I bet you could offset a good chunk of the transmission swap cost by selling your good 700R4 while it's still in one piece.

I mean, you did say this was the last time you want to do this right? :lol:

Just jokes, kind of...
 

kennythewelder

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Maybe a Powerglide??? I've seen a YouTube video with one swapped into a newer Vette.
I had 2 powerglides in my life. 1 in a 1972 Nova with a 350, and 1 in a 57 Chevy with a 283. Both were dogs, with no power at all. The 2 speeds, just doesn't have the gear ratio to make a good transmission, unless you throw a ton of HP at it, with a low rear end ratio, and then its only good on the track. I will never own another powerglide.
 

Erik the Awful

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I'll be the outlier here. I'd tell the machinist to pound sand and buy the Blueprint 383 short block for $100 less. It's actually a 377 because it's a fresh 4" bore in a brand new block.
 

PlayingWithTBI

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I'd tell the machinist to pound sand and buy the Blueprint 383 short block for $100 less. It's actually a 377 because it's a fresh 4" bore in a brand new block.
Yes, and it doesn't have forged pistons or balanced within 1/2 gram either ($250 cost for that). They're forged crank and pistons block is $600 more. It's not a TBI block so, I'll have to play with cooling too. Blue Print won't warranty their short block if I install it. They aren't going to inspect and vacuum test my heads either. The blue print comes with a cam and rotating assembly which I don't need, I guess I could try to sell it - whatever brand it is...

I was really close to pulling the trigger with the Blue Print block but, after talking further with the builder, I'm more comfortable with him. It may be 4.000 or 4.020" depending on what he finds. His price is more of a ballpark depending on what he finds.
 

kennythewelder

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Well, I can tell you this, a 383, has a 400 crank, so, the passages have to be opened up somewhat, for clearance, or at least checked. The 355, is just a 350, board out 30 over stock. That probably has something to do with it. The 355 has no material removed around the bottom end of the block.
 
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