Is 2 bolts enough bolts? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bluec10 · 05-05-2003, 03:45 PM

I recently had 350 in my '76 GMC beater go "clunk" when I was 5 miles from home - it turns out that the #1 rod bearing fried, heating the rod bolts on #1 to the point that they completely failed.

I put a different engine into the '76, and now I'm hoping to rebuild the old engine for use in the '68 Chevy that I'm rebuilding. I was disappointed to discover that the engine was only a 2 bolt. I've had dreams of turning the engine into a stroker with Vortec heads and a Performer RPM cam and air gap intake. I'm not necessarily looking to launch the RPM's into the stratosphere, but I want a strong, reliable engine.

Should I rebuild the engine I've got, or should I look for a good 4-bolt short block?

crazy longhorn · 05-05-2003, 05:02 PM

your 2 bolt block should be good to about 400hp. To go into the 450 + range , add a set of mainstuds...... crazyL

Longhorn Man · 05-05-2003, 11:40 PM

4 bolts are over rated. They are nice to have...but for a typical warmed over street engine...there is no need to pull your hair out looking for the 4 bolt.

05-05-2003, 05:02 PM	#2
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	your 2 bolt block should be good to about 400hp. To go into the 450 + range , add a set of mainstuds...... crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

05-05-2003, 03:45 PM	#1
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Is 2 bolts enough bolts? I recently had 350 in my '76 GMC beater go "clunk" when I was 5 miles from home - it turns out that the #1 rod bearing fried, heating the rod bolts on #1 to the point that they completely failed. I put a different engine into the '76, and now I'm hoping to rebuild the old engine for use in the '68 Chevy that I'm rebuilding. I was disappointed to discover that the engine was only a 2 bolt. I've had dreams of turning the engine into a stroker with Vortec heads and a Performer RPM cam and air gap intake. I'm not necessarily looking to launch the RPM's into the stratosphere, but I want a strong, reliable engine. Should I rebuild the engine I've got, or should I look for a good 4-bolt short block? __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

05-05-2003, 11:40 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	4 bolts are over rated. They are nice to have...but for a typical warmed over street engine...there is no need to pull your hair out looking for the 4 bolt.



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