I need some help here. I have a 2 bolt main 350 block that I put ARP main studs in and an Eagle 4340 forged crank and rods. All of which was balanced at the machine shop. My question is how high can I reliably rev this 2bolt block? I have been told that in stock form you should never even consider going over 6000 rpm, but I have the ARP studs and Forged rotating assembly which may or may not let me go up to 6500rpm, which is what I want. By the way, the engine has already seen 6500rpm a few times. If anyone can help me I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

 

2-bolt blocks are often looked down upon like they're some piece of $h!t...............if your 350 is the original engine to that '73, it's likely a 3970010 block? but just a 2-bolt version (we've got one of them in the garage right now). A lot of the older blocks were cast with a higher nickel content than the newer blocks, which made them stronger. While I'm a little younger and don't have as much experience with engines, my dad, who's a mechanic, has years worth of experience, and he's run 2-bolt blocks before with no problems at all, and says there's nothing wrong with them (especially since you've used ARP studs on the mains, which will hold better than regular bolts). The 383 I had in my '81 was a 4-bolt block, but, considering it was a stroker motor, my dad had no problem revving it to ~6500 rpm, so I'm sure a 350 with the shorter stroke should have no problem, even if it's "only" a 2-bolt block. I know that my dad used to rev the 350 in his '69 SS out over 7000 rpm, and he never had engine troubles (only traction and driveline!). He said he broke a U-joint or two, and actually twisted the driveshaft along its length one time! (without it snapping!)..........it was a 4-speed car, and he said that happened at the track after dumping the clutch from god knows how many rpm's?!

.............anyway, I'd say you should have no problem taking your 350 to ~6500 rpm. The ARP's are an added insurance feature too.