Internal or External Balancing - sbc 350 (3970014
 

Ok, I decided a while ago that I was going to build an engine. I have dropped them in and worked on them but have never built one from scratch. So I bought a sbc 350 that I want to drop in my 69 camaro. Thought I would by a few parts and that would be it. Wrong...... I have had to research cams, timing covers, fuel pumps, oil pumps, bolts and on and on. I am JEGS #1 customer right now. So I have my list of parts almost complet and I am assembling the engine and I get to installing the timing cover. But I can't buy a timing pointer because I need a harmonic balancer. S oI call JEGS and ask what they recommend and the first question is, "is the engine internally or externally balanced." No clue. So the guy tells me to check the GM number on the block behind the driver head and it reads 3970014 and he tells me to call GM.

I figure I can get a quick answer from here. What do you guys think. My engine block is a 3970014 and is a 2 bolt main. Looks like it came off a 70-76 camaro. I need to buy a balancer but need to know if it is internaaly or externally balanced.

Waht do you think?

the only externally balanced small block was the 400. all 350's are internally balanced

350s are internally balanced, the only SBC that is external balance is a 400 (and 383 since you're using the 400 crank)

A Jegs counter man should know better than that... :crazy:
and why would he tell you to check the numbers on the block when you need to know about the crank?......you could be putting a 400 crank into that block and need the externally balanced damper.

You got an order taker, not a parts person. Sad...

Awesome
 

Hey, everyone - thanks for the info - I stumbled across this board on Google when I typed in 3970014 sbc and got here. Looks like I got to the right place. After I posted, it looks like this is a truck board. Is it solely for trucks or am I allowed with my little hotrod.

It's primarily for trucks, but some of us have other automotive interests too, might as well stick around and get some info from these very knowledgeble folks
Who knows you might one day want/need a tow vehicle for that F body (and what better than a matching year truck ;) )

Well said!

thats the same casting number as i have :)

What's the number on the crank?