360 build options?

Mid to late 70's low compression engine (probably out of a truck). Upon tear down it appears that it hadn't seen a hard life at all. Very little ridge on the cylinder wall. 7th or 8th rod bearing (which ever is last on the crank) was just getting into copper on the bearing, the others looked real good. Going to bore .30 over and turn down the crank .10. Block will be decked (The machine work is free). Target compression is 9.5:1 (+ or -) with KB slugs. MSD distributor w/ a hot box. Intake? I have no idea. Cam choice is up in the air right now. I just don't know at this point. .474? .484? Carb? Holley 600 to 750cfm range?

My biggest concern at this point is the heads and valve train in general. We are forced to work with what we got. The heads we have can/will be planed (Again, that machine work is free). What can I do to a set of cast mid 70's heads that will make them better? Or is there a better / cheaper option out there?

I should mention that this 360 is going into a '73 Duster if that helps. Also, my 15 year old is hell bent on strapping himself into this rocket and run 1/8 miles. I'd be a bad father if I didn't help him.

You ain't stupid. Keep goin. You got good plans so far.

StrokerScamp said:

You ain't stupid. Keep goin. You got good plans so far.

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My build is similar. Im using h116cp pistons ($270 with moly rings)
They are very close to the stock weight of the factory pistons, so you can (probably) get away without ballancing.
As for heads I am using 596 (smog) heads with 2.02 1.6 stainless valves with a good 3 angle valve job. You probably have similar heads, and you can keep the stock valves 1.88 1.60 valves, just have good valve job done, and quick cleanup on the pockets (pocket port) will help a ton. If you have some extra $$ you can have 2.02 valves installed, and have the machine shop do a bowl hog.
As for the cam, I like the lunati voodoo line of cams. I will be running the voodoo 268. It gives a noticable idle, but still very streetable. and can be used with a fairly low stall, and daily driver gears (3.23+). If you are planning on more gear and stall (3:91+ 3000+stall or 4spd) I would run the voodoo 276.
I think a 750 holley is the way to go for a carb, and a performer RPM or similar

Thanks for the encouragement StokerScamp and vtmopar! Perhaps an old Chevy/Olds guy hasn't lost his mind....yet!

moturbopar - Unless a miracle lands in our lap we are stuck with the 1.88 / 1.60 heads (remind you, this is all on a 15 years old kids budget, but nothing says that heads can't be swapped out later!). But a 3 angle valve cut (for free) and a pocket port are absolutley within reach. I'm not sure how much a hog wild port and polish would buy us on these heads (too much work and not enough gain). We are still up in the air about cam choice at this time. It's a constant argument when your dealing with a 15 year old male! He wants it to be streetable, yet competition worthy. I say something like .230 @ .50 is the right balance.
Dealing with my 15 year old is exactly like that old story about the young bull and the old bull standing ontop of the hill with a herd of ready females down below....."Why run down there and **** a few son, when we can walk down there and ****'em all? He's almost there, he just ain't seeing the big picture yet!

Lol! I can't wait until I'm @ this point of my build, I'll be in the same 360 boat. But why a duster? Other than it being in the family, or cheap... it's the equivalent of a dodge neon today, ugly, and not worth ****. Lol. Unless it's a Demon;)

helliphinon8 said:

Lol! I can't wait until I'm @ this point of my build, I'll be in the same 360 boat. But why a duster? Other than it being in the family, or cheap... it's the equivalent of a dodge neon today, ugly, and not worth ****. Lol. Unless it's a Demon;)

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I'll let my 15 year old respond to this one..........

"Uhhhmmm......The Duster was good enough for Sox and Martin wasn't it? Cheap? Ugly? Not worth a ****? REALLY? I'd bet you haven't got enough sack between your legs to come get some of my Dart!"

From the mouth of babes.