Teck & Tommy & Tony etc are right, but there was more to it.
The 350 block has been basically the same since it was introduced in '69. It started out as a 327 with a longer stroke. The 327's 3.25" stroke was increased to 3.48" stroke, the 4" bore stayed the same as the 327. But several mods and improvements were done over the years: Different water pumps, piston choices, balancers, serpentine belts, 2 or 4 bolt mains, "pink" rods or weaker cast rods, flat tappet cams or roller cams, small valve heads, large valve heads, small combustion chambers, large combustion chambers, points ignition, HEI, 2 or 4 bbl carb, TBI, TPI, MPFI, rams horn manifolds, bla bla bla. A 350 may be a 350, but there are massive differances in the power and efficency over the years.
I'm guessing here, but based on the many late-'70s early 80s GM full size cars I've worked on, a '77 350 in a large car will likely have the following gizmos: HEI ignition with a very lazy spark curve, a Quadrajet 4bbl tuned for anemia, maybe even with the dreaded electric power valve. A wheezy low-rise iron intake with EGR. Low compression 8.5:1 CR heads w/ small valves and push-in studs. A flat-tappet hydraulic cam with pathetic lift and duration. Pistons with 4 valve reliefs and the chamfer on the outside diameter which lowers compression more. Cast rods. Stock exhaust manifolds with the heat riser flappy thing,(rusted shut)and a plugged up catalytic coverter and single exhaust. Don't forget the 20 miles of pointless vacuum lines and water temperature controlled vacuum switches.
The motor is 26 years old and likely worn and will likely burn oil due to worn guides and rings.
Look at it this way: In 1977, the Corvette made 180-210 HP with a smogged-out 350. Woof.
A '77 350, set up like above will dance slower than George Burns. After he died.
I'm not trying to be condecending or anything, just trying to relay my experiences into real world results, so you'll know what you're dealing with.
best of luck
chip
