307 Stroker Anyone???

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by fourspeedwagon

The main issue with a 307 is only its reputation. It was never used in a performance application, just as the basic, bottom option V8.
Physically it is a 283 block with a 327 crank. A mid sized cam, some better heads probably 1.94 valves, no need for 2.02s and the usual tricks and you’ll be having fun.

Exactly. The 283 had a lot better reputation, but only because it was available in several versions: 195-220hp with hydraulic cam, and 270-283hp with solid lifters. There was a 245hp version in there somewhere and even up to 305hp in its last year.

Ah, but the lowly 307 was available only in one flavor--200hp with a 2bbl carb. Never mind it was a stroked 283, which was considered to be cool prior to the 327 introduction.

When I bought my 69 C10 back in 89, it had the original 307 complete with noisy lifters and sluggish performance. Frist thing I did was replace the cam, lifters, and the worn-tooth timing set. I used stock parts purchased from an engine rebuilding company in Ft. Worth. The cam was probably the old 195/202 piece that was used in 283, 327, and even 350 engines over the years. Those parts and 2-inch dual exhaust with generic turbo mufflers made a big difference.

Later I bought a used Q-jet manifold (interestingly from a 69 327), along with a Holley Economaster 450cfm Q-jet replacement carb. Man, that little 4-bbl made even a bigger difference, and completely transformed the truck. It was probably faster than the lighter 220hp/283-4bbl cars I had owned over the years. I can only imagine what it would have done with a small performance cam and bigger valves, even with otherwise stock heads.

I eventually went to a 350 and even a 383 for awhile, but sometimes wish I would have just rebuilt the 307 short block and did something about the heads.