Engine is out - need suggestions please - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jimbotronics · 03-20-2005, 09:49 PM

Got my engine out and ready to start the rebuild. It's a stock 307 and here's a few things that I have planned - HEI, edelbrock performer intake, and a Holley 600 cfm carb (already had these parts laying around). I need suggestions on cam, lifters, etc etc. I plan on staying with the stock heads so please keep that in mind (unless they tell me they're trashed when i take 'em in to get rebuilt). Block will be hot tanked but don't plan on boring it unless it's recommended. It's my first ground up rebuild but luckily have an experienced person helping me out. Throw me suggestions....

Cheers,
Jim

Longhorn Man · 03-20-2005, 09:55 PM

Call a cam company, give them all that info along with tranny, gears, tire size and vehicle weight...and an honest estiate of what you'll be doing with the truck, and tell them what you are looking for.
That is your best bet on getting the right cam.
As for the heads, you should be able to get 305 heads cheap...and probably only need resurfaced. They will be unleaded friendly, and better ports.

Jimbotronics · 03-20-2005, 09:58 PM

Good idea, who's a good company to start with summit?

mrein3 · 03-20-2005, 10:02 PM

The '72 307 heads are probably already setup for unleaded gas. If you read the owner's manual it probably says ok to use regular or lo-lead gas.

With the engine out you are now firmly on a slippery slope. If you pull the heads you may as well send them to the valve job guy and have them fresheded up. If you have the heads off you may as well pull the pan and look at bearings. If you look at bearings...

If it wasn't puffing smoke on startup just put the HEI, intake and carb on it, stab a new cam in after calling your favorite cam company like longhorn man suggested, and call it good.

Gordo · 03-20-2005, 10:08 PM

A few things come to mind that might need attention/replacement during assembly into the truck for the long haul such as, motor mounts, fuel pump, fuel lines/hoses, water pump, all coolant hoses/clamps, radiator cleaned/tested or replaced, radiator cap, thermostat and v-belts. Also a good opportunity to replace the front pump seal in the transmission while it's in the open. You will want a good cooling system to keep that fresh engine out of trouble.

Jimbotronics · 03-20-2005, 10:10 PM

Wasn't puffing smoke - just extremely dirty. Heads are definitely getting rebuilt as well as taking the block down to barebone and machined. Good info fellas!

mrein3 · 03-20-2005, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbotronics

Wasn't puffing smoke - just extremely dirty. Heads are definitely getting rebuilt as well as taking the block down to barebone and machined. Good info fellas!

WHOA! That changes everything.

Take that 307 and buy one of those $25 4-wheeled engine holders that sits low to the ground. Find a spot in the garage for it to sit. And leave it there.

Then go find a 350 and build a 383. All your accessories fit with no chagnes. Everything mounts the way it was. Only you're left with more cubes under the hood.

I put a 383 together last fall. It rocks! It isn't that much more to do a 383 than it is to rebuild your 307.

Drogster · 03-20-2005, 11:09 PM

I agree with mrein...if you are gonna go that far with your cylinder heads, and even with the block...build something a bit more stout. Unless, of course, you are going for originality. Otherwise, why not go for a 350 or a 383? You can build one for just about the same price as rebuilding the 307.

Jimbotronics · 03-21-2005, 05:50 AM

Sorry fellas, guess i shoulda said that in the beginning - the truck is completely original and that's the only reason I was staying with the 307. I'm having second thoughts though and may just go to a 350 for now.

mrein3 · 03-21-2005, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbotronics

Sorry fellas, guess i shoulda said that in the beginning - the truck is completely original and that's the only reason I was staying with the 307. I'm having second thoughts though and may just go to a 350 for now.

This is the perfect application for one of those 4-wheel engine holders that slips under the work bench. My 72 Chevelle's original 307 is on one right now. My 71 Chevelle's original 307 is destined for the same place.

A 1972 Malibu with it's original 307 and manual front drum brakes ain't worth much now but there is no telling what the future holds. For now it has a slightly warmed over 350 and factory disk brakes off a '71 Monte. The original stuff can always go back on. In the mean time you may as well have some fun.

Once you convinced yourself the 350 is the way to go figure out what a 400 crank shaft (approx. $250) and 383 pistons (approx. $30 more than 350 pistons) does to the price of what you are doing.

Longhorn Man · 03-21-2005, 07:05 AM

Summit makes a good cam, but there profiles are old, out dated, and not maximized.
They ARE however, cheap, long lasting, and do make more power as advertised.

If you want to try and maximize what your engine can make...call some one like crane, they have a big tech support, and very few irate customers.

03-20-2005, 09:49 PM	#1
Jimbotronics YA YA Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 1,273	Engine is out - need suggestions please Got my engine out and ready to start the rebuild. It's a stock 307 and here's a few things that I have planned - HEI, edelbrock performer intake, and a Holley 600 cfm carb (already had these parts laying around). I need suggestions on cam, lifters, etc etc. I plan on staying with the stock heads so please keep that in mind (unless they tell me they're trashed when i take 'em in to get rebuilt). Block will be hot tanked but don't plan on boring it unless it's recommended. It's my first ground up rebuild but luckily have an experienced person helping me out. Throw me suggestions.... Cheers, Jim __________________ Jimbo '72 SWB - 350 (frame-off resto in progress - donations accepted) '04 Chevy Avalanche '03 Cadillac CTS (wife's ride) Restoration progress - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335707

03-20-2005, 09:58 PM	#3
Jimbotronics YA YA Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 1,273	Good idea, who's a good company to start with summit? __________________ Jimbo '72 SWB - 350 (frame-off resto in progress - donations accepted) '04 Chevy Avalanche '03 Cadillac CTS (wife's ride) Restoration progress - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335707

03-20-2005, 10:02 PM	#4
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,253	The '72 307 heads are probably already setup for unleaded gas. If you read the owner's manual it probably says ok to use regular or lo-lead gas. With the engine out you are now firmly on a slippery slope. If you pull the heads you may as well send them to the valve job guy and have them fresheded up. If you have the heads off you may as well pull the pan and look at bearings. If you look at bearings... If it wasn't puffing smoke on startup just put the HEI, intake and carb on it, stab a new cam in after calling your favorite cam company like longhorn man suggested, and call it good. __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

03-20-2005, 10:08 PM	#5
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	A few things come to mind that might need attention/replacement during assembly into the truck for the long haul such as, motor mounts, fuel pump, fuel lines/hoses, water pump, all coolant hoses/clamps, radiator cleaned/tested or replaced, radiator cap, thermostat and v-belts. Also a good opportunity to replace the front pump seal in the transmission while it's in the open. You will want a good cooling system to keep that fresh engine out of trouble. __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

03-20-2005, 10:10 PM	#6
Jimbotronics YA YA Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 1,273	Wasn't puffing smoke - just extremely dirty. Heads are definitely getting rebuilt as well as taking the block down to barebone and machined. Good info fellas! __________________ Jimbo '72 SWB - 350 (frame-off resto in progress - donations accepted) '04 Chevy Avalanche '03 Cadillac CTS (wife's ride) Restoration progress - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335707

03-20-2005, 09:55 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Call a cam company, give them all that info along with tranny, gears, tire size and vehicle weight...and an honest estiate of what you'll be doing with the truck, and tell them what you are looking for. That is your best bet on getting the right cam. As for the heads, you should be able to get 305 heads cheap...and probably only need resurfaced. They will be unleaded friendly, and better ports.

03-20-2005, 11:09 PM	#8
Drogster Stroke it! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Juneau, Alaska Posts: 214	I agree with mrein...if you are gonna go that far with your cylinder heads, and even with the block...build something a bit more stout. Unless, of course, you are going for originality. Otherwise, why not go for a 350 or a 383? You can build one for just about the same price as rebuilding the 307. __________________ Drog Nitrous is for those who don't know how to build.

03-21-2005, 05:50 AM	#9
Jimbotronics YA YA Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 1,273	Sorry fellas, guess i shoulda said that in the beginning - the truck is completely original and that's the only reason I was staying with the 307. I'm having second thoughts though and may just go to a 350 for now. __________________ Jimbo '72 SWB - 350 (frame-off resto in progress - donations accepted) '04 Chevy Avalanche '03 Cadillac CTS (wife's ride) Restoration progress - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335707

03-21-2005, 07:05 AM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Summit makes a good cam, but there profiles are old, out dated, and not maximized. They ARE however, cheap, long lasting, and do make more power as advertised. If you want to try and maximize what your engine can make...call some one like crane, they have a big tech support, and very few irate customers.



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