The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Value in a torque plate?

I am getting my 350 SBC bored out soon, and as I was getting pricing, they mentioned getting a torque plate job. A quick search on google pointed out that they really make a performance engine stand out. I am heading more for an economy route, but it was also mentioned that the pistons would seal better and burn less oil. Would it be worth my money for a general hauler to get this done?

1. how much extra? for $100 I would, but that's my OCD.
2. do you have confidence that they know what they're doing? An expensive tool doesn't mean they can do the job

If you're trying to squeeze the last bit of HP out of a race engine, yes. The boring job doesn't need the torque plate, but it's a good idea for the final hone job. A small block bore assumes a measureable pentagon shape when a torque plate (or a cylinder head) is bolted down due to 5 bolts surrounding each cylinder, but the effect on a street engine probably isn't going to be noticeable. If I'm charging somebody $15K or more for a round track engine, I'm definitely going to do the final hone job with a torque plate attached. Of course, that engine is going to be a worn out antique after 1K miles or less, sometimes a LOT less!
Jerry

The shop I'm looking at is charging $55 for a torque plate bore/hone. It isn't so much the power aspect (the 350 produces 2.5x the power of the 235 it replaced) as it is I would like the engine to run as long as possible as well as possible before another teardown. I think I will, the shop is known for their performance builds, and spending a little extra for a better job sounds like an investment.

While I'm here, does anyone have experience with electric water pumps? I am considering it for the space saving aspect.

Run- - - -do not walk away from an electric pump. It's fine for a 1/4 mile drag car, but I've never seen one that's reliable for a daily driver. A serpentine belt system off a S-10 V6 is the shortest, simplest system I can think of, and it bolts right onto a 350. Just remember to run the reverse-rotation water pump and fan.
Jerry

Serpentine is not an option, it throws redundancy out the window. Is it possible to get a super short water pump? All it needs is a pulley, the fan is electric.

I agree about not using the electric water pump. I used them for years in my drag race cars. The biggest advantage is you can continue to circulate water with the engine off to cool down between runs.