David Kauffung 308 Chevy Small Block Rebuild - Recycled Power

Filling out the heads are relatively small 2.00-inch intake valves, and 1.55-inch exhaust valves, though the size was plenty for a 305's small 3.736-inch bore. The valvetrain was stepped up with COMP's No. 918 beehive springs, PRW 1.65:1 self-guiding rockers, and PRW pushrods. Lifters are COMP No. 2900 solid flat-tappets.

Very little rework went into the GMPP Vortec single-plane intake manifold. Kauffung selected it based on testing comparisons with other intakes, and reserved the modifications to a little cleanup of the casting flash, and blending at the runner tops.

A modest amount of port work went into the heads, concentrating on the bowl area and valveguide bosses, as well as some hand detail work to the seats and valves themselves. The result is about 265 cfm of peak intake flow.

The valvetrain geometry is an important consideration, and the selected parts showed good characteristics. Quality components and the right pushrod length are the key factors here.

This particular carb model may be more at home on a pickup truck than a race car, but these GM Quadrajet carbs are said to offer 800 cfm from the small-primary/large-secondary arrangement.

One of the unusual modifications made to the intake manifold was the addition of a plenum divider, which Kauffung (a jeweler) made himself. Kauffung indicates the mod was worth 20 lb-ft of torque in his abbreviated dyno test session.

Providing the spark is a discount Pro Comp brand aftermarket distributor working an MSD 6AL box and Pro Comp wires.

Continuing with the low-buck theme, the front of the engine consists of a Jegs electric water pump, and a stock Chevy 8-inch crank damper.

A used set of small-tube Hedman Street Hedders provide the necessary relief of spent gasses, and are actually borrowed from a buddy's car. Real street stuff here.