i am slow72's cousin and i have just built a 350 chevy for my 73 chevy 4x4 pick  up, i have a sm465 trans and I think I have got 3;73 gears.  I was dissapointed in it's performance, It really bogs down in 3rd gear, I think i put too big of cam in it the duration is 218 226 and the lift is 462 480 i have put stock heads off an 81 pickup that are 76cc and 194 valves that i plan on replacing I also have a holley 600 carb that i was wondering if i should go to a larger one like a 700 or 750 I have a stock HEI distributor, i will proably put a highperformance one or at least a new module and coil my other problem is my exhaust is very restrictive it is 3 inch header int 11/2 pipe because i ran out of money out of all this i am trying to figure out what would fix my bogging down problem caus I ca not afford to do all this at once. The other info you might need to know is that it is a 350 4 bolt main bored 30 over with 10.5:1 hypernatic pistons and a torker 2 intake i am running 36 inch tires which is prably leading to a lot of my power loss and I am debating on what gears i should use 4:10,4:11 or 4:56, any info would be greatly appreciated

The carb should be ok, privided that the primary and if equiped secondary jetting(some had a non adjustable plate in the back) is correct,(read your plugs) it should serve you fine. The 1 1/2" exhaust should be replaced by 2 1/4" or 2 1/2" pipes. Make sure your timing is correct . Most small blocks like around 33-36 deg. total timing by 3000rpm. Although not really related, you should srongly consider a high rise dual plane intake (which ever brand you prefer), but Edelbrock makes two real winners- the Performer EPS, and the Performer RPM. This would part throttle driving better for you, and still have the ability to make plenty of power.

them 36inch TALL TIRES ARE PROBALLY THE BIGGEST PROB;ESPECIALLY WITH 3:73GEARS;ALTHOUGH THE SINGLE PLANE INTAKE IS JUST IRRITATING THE PROBLEM EVEN FURTHER.PUT MORE GEAR AND/OR SHORTER TIRES AND TRY A DUAL PLANE INTAKE LIKE THE WEIAND STEALTH OR PERFORMER RPM AS HE RECOMMENDED!!  

I'm not sure if I read your post correctly.  Do you have 1 1/2" tailpipes? 

If so, is there any wonder at all?  A lawn mower would be restricted with that set-up. 

Perhaps, I mis-read the post.

extremely light cam for a single plane intake, i stray away from single planes myself save them for the 7000 RPM buzzers, they lose mileage, driveabilty and low end grunt compared to a dual plane

You are not mistaken my cousin just ran out of money. So I assume this is what he should change first right?  

"So I assume this is what he should change first right?"

Categorically, yes.  I'm not sure - and frankly don't want to know - how or why he put 1 1/2" tailpipes on.  Regardless, get some 2 1/4" or 2 1/2" pipes on there asap and you'll feel a world of difference. 

Try this:  Find yourself one of those tiny cocktail or coffee straws and place it in your mouth.  Now, inhale through your nose and exhale through that little straw.  See how long you can do that before you pass out.  That's essentially what you're doing to your engine.

lol

4th grade science 101

A majority of people don't use single plane intakes because most don't provide enough low end output for street performance.  But there are a couple of exceptions.  I find that the Edelbrock Victor Jr. is extremely versatile for street and strip applications (this is also one of David Vizard's favorite intakes for chevy small blocks).  I have also seen the Weiand Team G intake perform real nice from low to high end and have the throttle response of a dual plane.  I have never seen the torker II in action but hear good things.  But I think Gib got it right when he said the cam is too light.  You have to match the cam to the intake or you'll lose out on some power.  And although I am a fan of single planes, I think that for your application you should really consider a high rise dual plane.  The 600cfm carb is ok, you probaly could have gone bigger.  But hindsight is 20/20 right?  Also, if your distributor is in good order all you should really need is a $40 accel module.  And as far as exhaust goes, if your strapped for cash, try some flowtech purple hornies.  They bolt straight to the headers and also have optional turn downs.  Good Luck  

You are lucky that everyone in this discussion knows about cars and engines.  Basically everyone has the right idea.  It sounds like the # 1 problem is money at this point.  It always is when you are a young kid trying to hotrod your car or truck.  We were all there once, and it never changes.  The cheapest thing to do is the intake manifold.  You could get a used Edelbrock performer for super cheap money, probably under $50 at a salvage yard or in the want ad.  A better choice is the Performer RPM, but you probably won't find too many used ones, because they are pretty good.  A new one will set you back $125, but it is worth it.  The exhaust is a big part of problem, and you should save up for a 2 1/2 inch system.  You can buy fairly cheap, universal style systems from Dynomax and Hooker, and put some decent mufflers on it (Dynomax super turbos, etc) and be through it for probably around $300.  Once you change your exhaust, you will need to do one of two things.  Either get smaller diameter tires, or step up to 4:56 Gears.  You will always have a bogging problem until you do this.  It actually isn't really a bog, it is your engine and drivetrain straining to turn your tires, especially in 4 wheel drive.  One other way to help your problem would be to dump those smog monster heads for some Vortecs,  bigger carb, and a larger cam.  You'll need a new manifold for this, but this is the best bang for your buck down the road, if you want to go that far.  In essence, you would be "powering through your problem".  You can get as crazy as you want with this stuff, all it takes is money and your time. 

Thanks for the advice my cousin has decided to take it of the road and get it right. We always new the exhaust had do go and he probally will try to find a top end setup. We also saw vortec heads on ebay that would make a good swap. He really wants to get his motor right and find out whats causing the bog. We were reading another message board about the wrong ignition curve on smog year HEI distributers could these be causing his bog? If you read my message board on small block chevy heads you will see my plans for my 2 wheel drive 72 chevy. I have a edelbrock performer for it. Do you all think that will be good for a 375 horsepower 350 and I was wondering what size cam I should use to make this horsepower if you have any ideas I would appreciate them.

 Thanks for the tough criticism its the only way to learn.

I had those pioes on a nova i have and used them because it was all I had, and iknow they were restrictive but that was not my problem, cause  I pulled them off and ran open header for a while and i did the same thing my problem is my heads, the valves are sticking and are pile if junk with overpriced rockerarms on them, that also don't work