The Scrub 350 mindset is curious to watch in action. For years it was the rage to drop a Scrub 350 into anything and everything. I suppose that once upon a time it was that way for the Ford flathead. But that 'Scrub 350 is the hotrod engine' mindset leaks out in odd ways.



I advertise on Craigslist, usually selling crankshafts, so I watch Craigslist closely to track what's being sold and how it's being sold. I don't think a day goes by on the Boise Craigslist that someone doesn't advertise an engine part for sale but never mentions what engine or car it goes to. Today it's a Mallory Dual Point Distributor. (This one is posted in ALL CAPS) Often it's an Edelbrock intake manifold. (Edelbrock owes its life to Chevy.) Sometimes, the seller will go into detail describing the qualities of the item, never mentioning that it's for a Scrub, but you can usually figure out that it's for a Scrub.



It's no wonder that there's a backlash about using Scrub 350's.

Best regards,



Paul Menten

Meridian, Idaho

I've noticed the same thing, I thought it was just me, Paul!



But I have a feeling the tide may be turning. I notice a more and more of the guys on the HAMB site complain about the constant use of a "small-block" as a solution to every powerplant.



I personally can't think of a less interesting solution for a hotrod or custom car. I've already heard most of the arguments for, but I still stand by MHO.



It IS a "crate-motor, Scrub" world buts that's ok with me-it keeps my stuff unique. Let the masses march on.

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

Just my two cents:  Chevy (just Chevrolet) is as big as Ford, and AS big as the rest of GM put together.  Everyone has Chevy parts in huge volume, consequently they are much cheaper than Ford.  That 350 is an extension of the 327, which proved to be a real sweetheart and long-running production.

I think everyone assumes 'Chevy' because it is the most common engine.  Summit Racing and Jegs have HUGE sections for Chevy, then somewhere in the back you can find Mustang parts.

Now that GM is on the verge of collapse, Chevy (GM's lifeblood) is in real trouble.  When I am cut, I bleed Ford blue.  But, I sure don't want to see Chevy go away.  They are the reason we have cheap horsepower.  Chevy and Ford have been chasing eachother for many decades, and I love the competition.  Let's remind ourselves about what happened to Chrysler's muscle.  If you're dyed-in-the-wool MoPar, better have a bushel basket full of cash for racing parts, and hope they're made in the USA.

Sorry to stick my nose in...  - Dave

Royal Oak, Michigan (Four miles north of Detroit, and 12 miles NORTH of Windsor, Canada).  That's right, we're north of Canada.

Ford 292 Y-Block major overhaul by simplyconnected

Dave, you are always welcome to 'stick your nose' into a discussion like this, so thanks for your comment.



I didn't mean my comment to be a criticism of the Scrub small block. Quite the contrary, I think it's an excellent engine and I own a 400 Scrub small block. My first car was a 56 Chevy with a Corvette 283. I'm sitting here in my 'office' looking at a stack of books that includes; BUILD THE SMALLBLOCK CHEVY (sic) by Atherton and Schreib, how to rebuild your SMALL-BLOCK CHEVY by David Vizard, and How to hotrod SMALL BLOCK CHEVROLETS by Fischer and Waar.



But there has been a long-term fascination with the Scrub 350, and that includes the aftermarket parts makers. While building up my Scrub 400 SB, I ordered a Milodon windage tray for a small block Scrub, and an ARP oil pump stud. Both parts were advertised as for Scrub small blocks, but neither one fit my engine. I'm certain they would have fit a 350 but I had to modify both parts to make them fit my 400.



My point is only that the mainstream has had a Scrub 350 obsession to the point that they assume that it's the only serious engine for building a fast car.

Best regards,



Paul Menten

Meridian, Idaho

Thanks for inviting me to your discussion, Paul.
Racing's not the only application they use the 350 for.  As staunch 'Ford' as I am, I will admit my family is split between Ford and Chevy (of course, everyone in Detroit works for the big three).

My cousin John, an employee, of ahem, GM, bought two crate 350's.  About 15 yrs ago, Goodwrench crate engines went on sale.  My being a Ford guy, I didn't pay any attention to the price.  John pulled the 283 out of his '57 BelAir, and the six cyl., out of his '73 GMC, and stuffed those new crate engines in with newly rebuilt Turbo-Hydramatics.

In defense of those two 350's:
John drove his '57 Chevy as my wedding 'limo' because it is truly flawless and gorgeous bright red.  A few years back, I bought a '55 Customline.  John hitched-up the '73 GMC to his car-trailer and off to Advance, Missouri we went.  The GMC was perfect for hauling another full-sized car.  That 350 had plenty of torque, and the truck handled superbly.

My point is, folks use the Chevy 350 for everything, including racing.  It's a perfect size for Vettes, Camaros, Chevelles, and probably monster-big for a Nova.  I'm cringing as I think of this- John's nephew in Mississippi, put a Chevy 350 in his '88 Mustang.  I know... It is truly a sacrilege.  But, hey.  That's what they do down south.

Dave

Royal Oak, Michigan (Four miles north of Detroit, and 12 miles NORTH of Windsor, Canada).  That's right, we're north of Canada.

Ford 292 Y-Block major overhaul by simplyconnected

OK guys let's not get too sappy over the "scrubs" they are like super models, they look good, perform well, but they've got no personality.     Good thing Jerry Christensen doesn't read this stuff.  

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

They are allowed to keep the initials GMC but it is not General motors anymore, It is Goverment Motor Company.

55 Vicky & customline

58 Rack Dump, 55 F350 yard truck, 57 F100

59 & 61 P 400's, 58 F100 custom cab, 69 F100, 79 F150, 82 F600 ramp truck, 90 mustang conv 7 up, 94 Mustang, Should I continue?

One of my favorite race cars around here was an Early Camaro running Super Pro (9.99). Nice looking car, but all the chevy guys hated it. Runs a 514 BB FORD!!!   

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

I'm happy as long as I have a V8. I don't care what it is. But it is much more fun having something that is not mainstream.


Lawrenceville, GA

A friend took me on a ride in his '65 Chevelle with new 383 in. SBC.  He nailed it several times, and I was surprised it didnt respond better, but didnt say anything negative.  I think his cam was the culprit, knocking down the lower end performance.

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.