I bought a 1971 monte carlo in march.The body is finished.I cleaned up the 350 that was in it.It runs
fine.I want to build an engine for it.I want some power.But still be able to cruise.My question is.
what to go with.a Big block.a 383 stroker.or beef up the 350.I have a spare 4 bolt 350 on an engine stand..any help would be great thanks  

Well, power costs money in more ways than one...

A very mild, near stock rebuild big block can make 500 horsepower - this is a little more of a daunting task to a small block.

Making power takes fuel though and the big block's fuel consumption will be significantly worse.  

If i went with a bb which one would be the best.and what year of the block would be best.  

Really, it doesn't matter.

Early blocks are pretty well known to be thicker castings - meaning they're more durable and more desirable for high performance engines but realistically to a street engine as long as the engine is already overbored a ton it's no big deal.

Whatever you can find for a cheap 427 or 454 core would suffice.  

i SAY STICK TO THE SMALL BLOCK. a 383 IS A GOOD CHOICE, AND STROKER KITS ARE CHEAP. What are your plans for the car. street? street strip?  

Big Block anyday. If you need 1001 reasons, I will be glad to post them.  JW.  

Hello everybody. I just bought a big block. Don't know what it is yet. Block stap is  C7F319090. What is this 454?  

I don't plan on taking it to the strip.But some power would be nice.Just a cruiser. with some balls would be nice.I have a spare 4 bolt 350 to build a stroker.I want to store the motor that is in it.If needed i could get a big block..I guess it all comes down to building and getting the most for the money.I don't think i want to go over 5.000 on an engine..  

any one can help my to set my timing on my 82 chevy. i changed the timing chain out and now it wont start  

You want a cruiser motor, build a 383 with aluminum heads and 9.5:1 compression that's set up to make plenty of bottom end torque to move your Monte and make cruising fun. It'll be cheaper than building a street big block, and get better mileage so you can cruise more.  

There are a lot of good crate motors out there that would fit the bill.

Chevy 350 Vortec ZZ4 Crate Engine with 370 horsepower and 370 ft-lbs of torque   $2,599.95

that's at Precisionengine.com  

i have no experience with them, but a little homework on line can net a ton of info like this.

If you are set on building an engine from the ground up, make sure you take into consideration exactly what you want the engine to do, and purchase parts accordingly.