Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

If you want to keep it retro and need a mechanical fuel pump then just use your 2 piece blocks. However, in this day in age, I would not run anything but a roller cam and if you use the "old " block, you would have to get a retro roller kit. Purchasing a '96 - 2001 350 Vortec would get you a roller cam, vortec head, and a one piece seal package. That would be a good start. These engines came in GM trucks and vans. They are cheaper now because of the LS craze. Have the block and heads checked well even if you find a "good running" engine, as the heads are prone to cracking. Run a 5.7 rod Scat rotating asm with desired compression and a nice muti angle valve job, (read articles on setting up vortecs for higher lift cams - most shops got this by now) 260 - 270ish cam and you should have a nice street engine.