I pulled a 350 with a spun bearing out of a 68 Skylark convertable that a buddy of mine bought last winter as a summer beater. When we checked the engine codes we discovered that the engine was from a 1970 GS 350. It appears factory stock. My question is other then it being correct codes for a 70 GS 350 is there any performance or durability advantages to this block and heads combination?
Hi Jake - I believe all the 350 short blocks are identical , with the exception of pistons. 1970 used domed pistons which gave the 10.5 compression ratio for the GS 'SP' motors. I think the heads also have a lower CC (68 or 69 I think) which is good for the compression ratio. Someone will chime in here if this is incorrect, but keep the heads! PS - what county are you located in Joisey?
Marco, Thats is pretty much what I figured. I kept the block and heads, whats another engine under the work bench, anyway. I couldn't see junking a 70 GS motor. I wouldn't want to upset the Buick Gods. I have another 70 350 2bbl low mileage engine that I will (someday) drop in the 69 GS 350 (which now has stock never rebuilt 350 in it) Do you think I should bother rebuilding the "SP" heads and use them on the mild build up I plan for this motor? I am in Ocean County, Forked River to be exact! Jake
I found out from this site - http://www.nhra.com/tech_specs/engine/index.html#buick CCs for 350 heads are as follows - 1969 - 51.0 cc 1970 - 48.0 cc 1971 - 50.0 cc 1972 - 50.0 cc Besides having the smallest combustion chamber, 1970 doesn't have all the pollution stuff. Besides getting aluminum heads, they're probably the best for a rebuild. You should consider going to Buick Performance Weekend every Labor day weekend at E-town. It's a great Buick day!
Marco, That is great info, Thanks. I have been to Buick Perforance Weekend once or twice without my car. I tryed twice to bring it there but once the exhaust manafold broke in two and the other time a brake hose failed. Beleive it or not this was on a car that I used as a daily driver with little or no problems. I think my GS is shy, and doesn't like car shows. I thought that buick day got rained out this year and was rescheduled sometime in November, or am I wrong? Jake PS Does someone make aluminum heads for a buick 350?????
Sorry. I did a search and the 350 aluminum heads are a 'myth' for now - http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3675 The car show (and test and tune) was on Saturday went well this year. Sunday's races were rained out, with the rain date coming next week on 11/10.
It is located at Raceway Park Englishtown (Oldbridge ) New Jersey. Labor day weekend (i think) Like everthing else Buick is a little pricey to get in (27 bucks as a spectator, I think) but it is great to see all the buick together close to home. However when I still had my 87 Grand National there were soo many others there it made me feel like it was a Explorer at the mall. I wanted to paint it a different color, just to recognize it in the crowd! Marco are you going back on the 10th? Jake
$27 just to watch? I think I paid $30 to show and go. If my wife isn't working I am going to try to make it next week.
