I'm planning on building up a roller 350 engine from an 87 truck. It would go into my 68 convertible. Just wanna have some more grunt over the stock 210 horsepower, not looking for an extreme monster mouse. Probably just a higher cam over stock with a little lope. It has the provisions for the roller cam but of course it has flat tappets there now. Don't know if it's 2 or 4 bolt main. I'm interested in upgrading to Vortec heads. I do not have an enormous budget at hand, I kind of buy what I need as I go along. I have a spare set of heads from an 87 T/A 305 that I can use but from the good comments I hear regarding Vortecs, I guess I'm going that route. I know that the intake is different. My question is:

Should I go with the Aluminum 2.02/1.60 and better springs? Is there a huge difference in HP over stock Iron 1.94/150 heads? Would my stock crank and bottom end take the extra HP?

The cost difference is around $200 dollars for newer rebuilt heads($500 to $700), but if I want to upgrade the stock heads in the future it would cost more than that. Used heads are under $300 for a good pair and that is more inline with my budget but it is a risk to just slap them on and go. My goal is to have close to 300HP and have a nice sounding exhaust. If I should save more money then I guess that’s what I'll do. Currently the car has a good running 305 and a 200/4r trans.

I really appreciate your advice. Thanks

 

You'll be fine with a 2 bolt, you're not going to be pushing the engine that far. Guys have even built 500 h.p. engines on a 2 bolt block. What aluminum heads were you looking at, and what is your budget? The Vortec heads have limitations as to how high a lift cam and the type of springs you use before you need to have some clearance machining done. Even though they have slightly smaller valves, their chamber and port design makes them a better performer over other iron heads.
Here's some handy Vortec reading material:
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/ho...458/index.html
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/eng...tec/index.html
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...est/index.html

 

I'm trying to see if I can do the engine with intake, carb, cam, heads and exhaust headers with $1500. Looks like I might make it with some of it being used parts that I may be able to restore and clean up. The heads would be most expensive part which sell on eBay somewhere around $649 plus shipping. My total budget for the car painted and with the 350 engine is around $12K. I already have laying around the garage close to $6K in new body and cosmetic parts ready to go on.

I painted 3 vehicles Base Coat Clear Coat with fairly good outcome but I'm afraid on painting my own 68. The paint job will either make or break the car. If the paint comes out poorly..... there goes 5 years of restoration and my life's achievement. If it comes out nice then my patience has paid off and my future wife will get off my back!!!!