The New Engine

The original plan was to replace the 283 with a lug-nut-busting 454 big-block.  However, Iraq's invasion of Kuwait earlier in the summer made it look like gas was going to be $10 per gallon in the near future, so I decided to go for the much cheaper and more fuel-efficient (if you can call 17 highway MPG efficient) Chevy 350.  This may well be the most common engine ever made; the 350 was first installed in 1968 Camaros and ended up being used in just about every rear-wheel-drive vehicle made by Chevrolet (and some other GM divisions) for the next few decades.  Because of this, rebuilt 2-bolt-mains 350s are dirt cheap.  This particular engine was originally installed in a 1974 full-size Chevrolet; the heads are small-valve 1971 units.