SBC 350 With Vortec Heads First Start & Review

An overview and the first start ups of the S10 builds SBC 350 on the test stand. The contents: built short block with higher compression, ported/ modified vortec heads , Lunati hydraulic roller cam, Edelbrock RPM Air Gap with 1" spacer, Holley 750 double pumper. This is the quick list of it and this is also my first complete motor build. I have a clip in the video of the engines first 2 start ups running and recommend using headphones to give you the best sound clip of the engine. I will add another video of the engine running after I get it in the truck.
music credits:
Song: Xenogenesis
Artist: TheFatRat
Artist's channel: / thisisth. .

[@markedebevoise3300]

Lil S10 gonna rock and roll baby, strong engine brother im glad you built it yourself 😎🤘

[@304customsgarage]

I hope so, really eager to see how it does when I get the truck finished

[@Chevyshow]

Same set up I have in my Malibu wagon. 1979 4 main .030 350/355, vortec heads, air gap intake, Holley, and some ceramic coated long tube headers 😎. I’ll be adding a 292 mega cam soon 😈🤫

[@Chevyshow]

0.040 actually. Still no 292, I’m thinking more like 268 now

[@chadtillery5536]

😅

[@jesseharris6466]

Holy shit! Saved and liked for whenever in my life I have the opportunity to follow your setup. Goals

[@nora-fn6iz]

Wow sounds like a heathy beast ofor a small block and your first build !!! Con rates goes out to you a a job well done wish I had one just like it !!!!

[@gregchatham3890]

Sounds awesome, good job on your first engine build! Almost the same set up that we have, that’ll be going in a 73’ Vette.

[@kipdodd9851]

First time? I think you killed it man sounds awesome!

[@304customsgarage]

Thanks! Yes this motor was the first one I've ever put together.

[@davidstagg947]

Your motor is perfect. It sounds wicked. I like it a lot. Good job

[@kiplindsay8413]

Just put a 5.7 crate engine in my old C1500 just for fun, with a 600 carb. Ripped out all the the electronics, wiring, etc. Haven't finished all the rest of the work, but wish I had built the engine for a little more performance. You've got me thinking about pulling it out now. I blame you for this. Lol, great build, great video!

[@304customsgarage]

Thank you! I probably would've done a few things differently with my motor if I started over again. I thought awhile on it about changing some things on the motor before I put it in the truck but I wanted to use parts I had already to keep it a "semi" budget project so I'm going to run it as is for now and can always rebuild later or put together another. Hopefully this one will run well in the s10. Good luck on your build!

[@bryantracing3022]

Nice motor well done i run a 2" spacer made my motor idle better and better power

[@toosicc2true]

Excellent job on your first build!

[@304customsgarage]

Thank you! Hoping it runs well in the project it's in once it's ready to drive.

[@dannynguyen5883]

Sounds killer!! Love it!

[@derrymunz7864]

Right on. Still Love the 350 SBC'S

[@keithsanders9121]

Sounds healthy. Good job!

[@304customsgarage]

Thanks! Hopefully it runs well!

[@chrisskeens5886]

Sounds awesome good job brother I luv it

[@kenbergelt6975]

Great job man!!! I hear you can use the serpentine set up off of a 4.3 for the front of your 350 depending on the year. You may already know this but if not check it out may make thing a little easier. I'm just about to do a 94 sonoma ext cab sbc swap. Good luck my friend!!

[@mastergreen8492]

I just got my hands on a Vortec 350 L31 I have late model 350 now Was gonna rebuild the late model, but since the L31 is Roller Cam ready , I’m using it😜 This is going into my 77 Impala The vortec heads are the Kicker, with a nice Cam, Im having a hard time deciding on a good Medium Aggressive Affordable CAM

[@19latoria]

Looking around see if they cut the cams in your area got mine cut love it have 98 vortec carb swap cam cut to 480 lift

[@1977BangBang]

That gets addicting quick

[@bryantracing3022]

Nice build

[@johnq.citizen8076]

That thing sounds mean as hell for a 350 with Vortec heads

[@304customsgarage]

Thanks! Hopefully it will run well

[@louismaselli8784]

Engine sounds awesome

[@304customsgarage]

Thank you!

[@wreckanchor]

Sounds really good.

[@304customsgarage]

Thanks!

[@Rhyamarie]

I agree young man, it sounds like you built a nice little motor, however, I urge you research the topic of setting in your piston rings. If you can find it, lake speed jr from total seal piston rings does a video on the importance of and how to bed in your rings on a fresh motor. And according to the information I’ve gathered over the years, it’s quite possible that it might have already been too late for your rings. Of course if your rings were to fail, it would have already happened by now. Best of luck. Keep it between the ditches young man. Keep doing what you love.

[@stevenmarcinkowski8577]

Nice sounding small block Chevy. You could try the performance aspect by trying the spacer while on the street.

[@304customsgarage]

Thanks I have a couple different ones I plan to test (4 hole and open) whenever it's ready to go.

[@kuntryboi867]

Sheeeeesh🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁 Sounds amazing.

[@88classic]

Sounds so good 👍

[@jamesmurray6348]

You built one mean Chevy motor. Sounds good

[@304customsgarage]

Thank you! I hope it runs as well as it sounds

[@felixhernandez7709]

Putting one in my grandsons 1977 C-3 Vett

[@304customsgarage]

Awesome! It should run nicely in that car!

[@leobrisbane2444]

It sounds good and mean someday I will build me one

[@wreckanchor]

DO you remember where you got you pulleys and alt brackets from? part numbers?

[@304customsgarage]

Yes, the crank and water pump pullies were actually summit racing brand (or rebrand). I looked for the part when I was on the site awhile ago and didn't see it now though. The closest pullies I saw were Allstar brand aluminum pullies on there. The PS pump pulley was from Jegs for the type one GM style pump part # 555-504096.

[@Chevyshow]

It’s funny I was looking at this video and thinking to my self hey that’s a similar set up to what’s in my car not knowing I’ve already watched and commented on this video a year ago 😂

[@304customsgarage]

Hope it was worth watching a 2nd time! How do you like your setup as a comparison?

[@Chevyshow]

In my Malibu wagon I like it. It’s got a pretty calm cam in it so it sounds almost stock instead of choppy. I just had a similar engine built for my 3rd Gen camaro with the lunati cam and I can wait to drop it in. The builder says the engine was built for dirt tract/circle track as well. Can wait to drop it in, just picked it up last week.

[@gilbertcollins574]

Sounds mean I love it doing something similar as we speak 💪🏾

[@304customsgarage]

Thanks! Hope yours turns out to be what you are wanting it to be

[@duaneschultz9230]

What cam did you put in it? God bless you and your family. Duane.

[@304customsgarage]

Hi Duane! Thank you! The cam is a Lunati voodoo 294/302 hydraulic roller.

[@mrtrojanmann]

What is the exact name and specs of the Cam?

[@304customsgarage]

It's a Lunati Voodoo HR cam, specs on it : Advertised Duration (Int/Exh): 294/302; Duration @ .050 (Int/Exh): 243/251; Gross Valve Lift (Int/Exh): .560/.565; LSA/ICL: 110/106; Valve Lash (Int/Exh): Hyd/Hyd; RPM Range: 2800-6400

[@chevyboiretro703]

Going with a similar set up in my Monte Carlo

[@304customsgarage]

Should make a nice set up in that car!

[@angelsanchez3074]

Menacing sound good job

[@codyarnold3434]

What cam are you running i just got a 1990 Chevy C/1500 Stepside with a 350 and i’m building another 350 to put in it and i want it to sound just like this

[@304customsgarage]

The cam is a Lunati 294/302 HR

[@AR_420]

That's awesome buddy! Did one hell of a job! What's the cam specs and distributor/ timing settings, if i may? Mess with advance curve any? The reason I asked is a very similar build to what I have. Except i have a Melling 220/224, .495/.502 110 on 107. I haven't fired it up yet but I'd imagine it's gonna sound very very similar. I did the same with the heads, did a lot of research on what you can and shouldn't port.

[@304customsgarage]

Thank you! The cam in this is a lunati hydraulic roller 243/251 @.050 .560/.565 110 lsa. I didn't mess with the timing really yet except to get it running decent on its own. If I remember correctly I believe I only had it at about 34 degrees or so in the video too. I'm sure I'll be messing with it some more when project is ready to drive

[@dennishoff5918]

Sounds FUCKING BEAST great job

[@304customsgarage]

Thanks!

[@bugbomb8048]

Sweet.... very healthy

[@hammerlane2]

Beautiful

[@jimmylowejr6583]

Ohhh heellll yeah

[@Scrapperz]

What size lift did use for cam?

[@304customsgarage]

Cam is a .560 intake/.565 exhaust

[@scottalvarez8870]

Sounds amazing

[@304customsgarage]

Thank you!

[@dontasmith2241]

Nice brother. You have info on the cam

[@304customsgarage]

Thanks! This cam is as follows: Advertised Duration (Int/Exh): 294/302; Duration @ .050 (Int/Exh): 243/251; Gross Valve Lift (Int/Exh): .560/.565; LSA/ICL: 110/106; Valve Lash (Int/Exh): Hyd/Hyd; RPM Range: 2800-6400

[@clydeallen9927]

Sounds pretty mean. Gave me some ideas for a Mitsubishi mini truck that I'm building. I have a 350 4 bolt main. The heads are 194/150 iron. But they're ported and polished with double springs on valves. Just not sure what cam to run. Any ideas on what would be best one

[@304customsgarage]

I selected this cam because it fit within specs of what was recommended for the cam as far as motor build, intended rpm, etc. A couple cam companies actually suggested a cam from the "shelf" a size smaller than this one one street use. I'd recommend talking to a few cam companies to get their opinions on what they think would work well but also doing some reading up on engine builds similar to what you have. Alot of it is really up to what you intend to do with your motor/vehicle. We'll see how this one works once I can get it finished up and out for some testing.

[@TheCrazyR1]

What’s that brass thing on the back side of the block that has that oil line that goes to the pressure gauge? Mine leaks and I would like to fix the issue

[@304customsgarage]

It's just a brass compression like fitting I had with the gauges I used on my engine run stand. I'll actually be using a brass fitting to braided AN line to the gauge inside the truck when I hook it up again.

[@craigparish521]

Sounds great 👍

[@ee003]

Did you change the valve springs?

[@304customsgarage]

I did change them yes and the valve guides have been cut down as well. Everything under the valve covers was changed.

[@zachnickles7655]

What’s the complete build sheet?

[@304customsgarage]

Video soon on the build list

[@eddiecahall3824]

Sounds ok,but it may be overlifting the valves. The vortec heads will only safely lift to 480 with older style springs with dampeners taken out and using the stock vortec style retainers! Hope you had them machined properly to lift and not bind. Or your going to have big headaches! Good luck.

[@tookiejefferson8544]

What would you suggest for the 1970 Buick LeSabre. I have a three fifty four bolt main in it as for now

[@304customsgarage]

Are you wanting to keep the 350 and build off of that or looking to go a different route?

[@tommybonnici]

What were the Cam Specs please

[@304customsgarage]

243/251 @.050 .560/.565 lift 110LSA

[@nlg062701]

Any idea the Horse Power?

[@oldmanintheshopbuiltnotbou8726]

motor sounds good

[@304customsgarage]

Thank you! Hopefully will have it in the truck this week finally

[@adamstreitz5089]

What cam?

[@304customsgarage]

It's a Lunati 294/302 hydraulic roller

[@flinch622]

I would like to thank the cricket that help make this vid: Pavarotti of the shadows... wherever he's hiding.

[@fullmoonfool]

nice job friend

[@lad63bird]

Wow! Sounds incredible, could you post cam specs possibly? And, you dont happen to remember what your vacuum was at idle! I have pretty much same buIld going into my 1981 corvette WITH BUILT VORTECS, but vacuum concerns me because of my headlight doors. I know I can race MY engine to get them to open , but every time I turn on my headlights, the guy/girl in the car next to me is going to think I want to race them! lol LOBE SEPERATION IS WHAT I AM MOST CURIOUS ABOUT it's probably 107, 108,

[@bretthansen524]

You can make a swirl pot for your vaccume that helps with vacuum loss through large cam lobe separation

[@304customsgarage]

The lobe sep on this cam is a 110

[@jonkeao]

What brand and model are the headers?

[@304customsgarage]

The headers on it in this video are Jegs ceramic coated LT headers #555-30051. Those aren't going to be used on the project truck the motor is for now however.

[@jasonpowell92]

Well done

[@hwyy9046]

bore size?

[@calvinl9814]

So what was the total cost on that build

[@304customsgarage]

I don't know exact numbers without adding up receipts for everything especially since some of the stuff I bought years ago. If I didn't have certain things already from a past project I could've saved alot of money buying things once. Given how much I changed around and spent doing that I could've had more motor for what I have in it and previous parts honestly. The next motor hopefully I will only be buying things once.

[@calvinl9814]

@@304customsgarage yea I have SBC 350 that I'm fixing to work on and I want to give some more power without breaking the bank. And trying to find the best route

[@Hammy1088]

Badass! I have questions lol. What's the part number on water pump pulley and crank pulley? And I thought you had to run a pcv valve?

[@304customsgarage]

Thanks! The pulleys I got from summit racing sum-g3964 and sum-g3966 were the ones I used. As far as the pcv I don't know if you have to use it but I have one for it I got when I got the valve covers that I plan to use.

[@Hammy1088]

@@304customsgarage coool thanks. 🤘

[@dustinlevy5235]

Can I get build sheet and port size and heads everything used on engine please I need one for my 78 Chevy C10

[@304customsgarage]

I'd have to dig that stuff out to find all the details but the heads are GM vortec heads. I ported them myself so I don't know the exact head port sizes of them. I opened the intake side up very slightly most just cleaning it up. Most of what I did was under the valves and exhaust side.

[@gagebueche9807]

Hey man, you have a part number for the cam? Sounds really good, good job on your first motor

[@304customsgarage]

Yes, it is the Lunati 294/302HR # 20120713

[@jjmccloud]

Is it a step nose (oe style) or a retrofit

[@304customsgarage]

Retrofit

[@1300Poochie]

@@304customsgarage God bless you 😂😂🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@nickolausvassallo744]

@@304customsgarage do u know the part number for the retrofits and pushrods?

[@scottzito4797]

What are the CAM and rocker arm specs? Lift/duration

[@304customsgarage]

Cam is a 294/302 lunati with 1.5 RR

[@nickolausvassallo744]

@@304customsgarage are you using self aligning roller rockers? And what’s all done to the heads?

[@304customsgarage]

Yes I have self aligning roller rockers on the heads. As far as work on them, I cut the valve guides down replaced the seals and ported/ cleaned them up. Nothing to over the top though on the porting and I of course upgraded the springs, retainers, etc.

[@66belairss]

Question hear how much of a paint the ass is it changing the #6 plug?

[@304customsgarage]

With those headers it was challenging to get the plugs out on a few cylinders. It's doable just takes longer than it should.

[@66belairss]

@@304customsgarage I’m curious how was u able to get number 6 out cause I got this same setup and can’t get a socket on the plug and not really sure how to get to it

[@304customsgarage]

It helped I only used those headers on the engine run stand so I had some space to work with but I went underneath the headers and used a wrench to get it out (very slow process) and I actually took the headers off last time I had plugs out before I changed to the headers I'm using in the s10 I put this motor in.

[@66belairss]

@@304customsgarage gotcha that’s what I’m gunna end up having to do even tho I don’t want to which sucks but oh well

[@SlippinClutch350]

What’s the compression?

[@304customsgarage]

Compression is around 10.4-10.5:1 estimate

[@THEBOILEDONE]

Is this a retrofit cam?

[@304customsgarage]

Yes it is a retrofit cam

[@THEBOILEDONE]

Sounds pretty mean.good job

[@304customsgarage]

Thanks! Hoping it runs well when the project is ready.

[@242bleek]

Are you running link bar lifters? .560 lift is seriously pushing the limits of the oem dog bone retainers.

[@304customsgarage]

Yes actually the lifters are Howard's hydraulic roller lifters

[@nickolausvassallo744]

@@304customsgarage part # on lifters?

[@daltonholley5659]

Sounds mean, how much power do you think you can get out of it?

[@304customsgarage]

Not 100% sure to be honest, hoping it will be at least 450 though. I have saw some similar builds on here that were in higher 450 -500 range.

[@matthewgoupil257]

Thing sounds like a (nitro)dragster engine.

[@topcityautomechanic4336]

Very Nice :-)

[@304customsgarage]

Thank you! I hope it will run well once the truck is ready

[@andrewcunningham4]

304 Customs? From WV?

[@304customsgarage]

Yes from WV

[@andrewcunningham4]

@@304customsgarage nice! Hancock county resident here..

[@304customsgarage]

Awesome to find someone else on here from WV! I'm over in the eastern panhandle

[@alekdeschenesdube5643]

Fuckin lovin it!! Pretty similar combo here! Hey what valve spring did you use? compression??

[@304customsgarage]

I put LS6 blue springs in these heads, retainers and keepers I believe were comp or Howard's. I have alot of used mixed parts in this motor id have to get out my receipts to verify everything for certain now since it's been changed up so many times before I decided on this route and I machined down the valve guides, etc also in the heads. Compression is right about 10.5:1

[@DonCatherman]

Sounds good.👍,test show a stack of three one inc spacers produced the most top-end horsepower with dual plan..... So try that one inc.... switch up to a two-inch.. and see what happens...pick it up a little il bet.....it's not like you're on a Dyno and I don't know if you'll feel it by the seat of your pants or not but those are the test results I found...I run a 2 Inc on mine.but I have a motor I drag race..360 chevy..11:1 compretion... 580 lift cam solid lifter 1.7 roller rockers,, single plan intake... Victor jr... Edelbrock rpm performer aluminum 64 cc chamber heads with steal shims not gaskets,,,,forged pistons with aluminum rods. Pushing a 3,400 lb. 78 Grand LeMans half backed big tire car...runs 9:70 in the 1/4. Mile....650 in 1/8..on a 125 shot.....31x18.5 tier with 488 gear...built trans . Reverse manual valve body..trans break.2 step..3800 stall converter....cam is 3500 to 7500 rpm set up..750 pro-form race carb....pulls the front wheels about 2 ft...leave at 3400 rpm off trans break... For a street truck S10...you got a good little motor right there.....💪💯👍,,,,,,.

[@304customsgarage]

Thank you eager to get the s10 done to take it for a drive. That sounds like quite a setup you have there on your car.

[@DonCatherman]

@@304customsgarage thanks man....I have a 66 tempest I bought when I was 19..I'm 54 now..so I tend to hang on to thing's ,,66 runs 12:0 on motor....I love my car's.lol...so I take good care of them.....I will post a video showing then soon...keep at it man you will be doing burn outs and cruising with a big ol smile soon I hope....best of luck to you ......👍💪💯

[@chadjennings3907]

What size is the cam?

[@304customsgarage]

It's .560/.565 on a 110 LSA

[@tommith.]

Is that oil pressure 20 psi?

[@304customsgarage]

Yeah in this video it does after it's rev'd up and falls back off to idle. It fluctuates between 20-30 psi up to 40-45ish psi at idle, never figured out yet what the cause of that is whether it's the gauge, something with the motor causing the different readings, etc. I've started this motor and let it run a couple different times and it's been different each time in those ranges but it always goes up 8-10 psi or so per 1000 rpm. So we shall see.

[@tommith.]

@@304customsgarage Maybe the guage. Every engine I rebuild sits in the 60-70 psi range at idle. Only time I experienced low oil psi was the main bearing clearances were way to large good luck. Nice sounding powerplant.

[@silverpanda7167]

what alterantor mount, water pump and both pullys are those? im looking for the exact same thing pretty much

[@304customsgarage]

The alternator mount and pulleys I got from summit racing it was their brand. I'm not sure if they still make them or not. The water pump is a milodon "long".

[@tedslife7086]

How much you pay for that stand

[@304customsgarage]

I've had it for awhile now so can't remember exactly but I wanna say $180 -200 range when I bought it.

[@michaellaughlin8457]

sounds good now it’s the rest of the drive train that probably needs attention 🤷👍

[@jjmccloud]

Nothing wrong with vortec heads

[@williammoore4800]

Take take the 1" plate off pulls hp with that air gape intake

[@Chevyshow]

According to an episode of road kill the 1” spacer makes a rpm intake perform like an air gap and make the air gap perform even better

[@304customsgarage]

I saw that on that episode of roadkill also

[@BAYSICK831]

Man, that cricket is really downplaying this motor.

[@williammoore4800]

Take them vortec heads off and put some 202 heads 62cc

[@clintlawson2455]

Dont rev like a 327 which willl rev to 8000rps

[@erveybarragan9337]

Sounds awesome.👍

[@Mrrockbucketman]

Sounds great!!!

[@304customsgarage]

Thank you! Hoping it runs well also when it's ready for the road