[SD455DJ]

I totally concur with the 400/455 sentiment from Mister Pontiac and BVZ if you have to rebuild the original 350 anyway. You might as well invest the same $$$ into a bigger engine, which will not hurt the value of an original 350 GT-37 one bit...most likely add value. Just store the original engine in the garage and it stays with the car if you ever sell it down the road. You can still find the early (pre '75) 400's relatively easy and affordably. Like BVZ mentioned, that '69 400 2-bbl engine looks like a great candidate.

I have a '70 Lemans 4-dr post sedan that I swapped out the original 350 for a 455 from a '70 Bonniville. I found the 455 for $500. It was the small valve 360 hp variant and I kept the small valve heads and log exhaust manifolds and it made 390 hp at 512 lbft torque on the dyno with a little bigger cam (Summit 2802) than stock. I'm so glad I did as the car is a blast to drive.

You'll be glad you made the upgrade to more cubes for the same costs.

Dennis