Help me build my truck

[Jonesy]

Alright first a little background. I bought a 69 C10 from a friend about 5 years ago for $400 with the intentions of fixing it up for a daily driver. Well college happened and the truck has been sitting for the past few years. I had bought a 68 K20 at one point with the intentions of swapping bodies but sold the truck to pay for school. Well I've finally decided to get my butt in gear and do something with it. I'm selling my daily driver at the moment (2000 GMC K2500) and buying a streetbike and using the 69 for daily duties.

The truck has all the typical rust, cab corners, rockers, cab supports and lots of surface rust. I want to go with a rat rod/shop truck style for the truck, so a super straight body and high dollar paint aren't in the plans. I do however want it to handle very well, and be respectably quick.

Right now the truck has the original 250 straight six and a three on the tree that is worn out. I want to move the 3 spd to the floor and drop a mild small block in. Other upgrades are to power discs, lower it down some, bodywork (maybe).

First priority is being painted, but then I want to build a small block, and this is where I need your help. I know quads and bikes but am lost when it comes the v8's. I would like 300-325 hp if that isn't to hard. I have a 71 4 bolt 350 that is complete to begin working with. If you had about $1K to work with what would you do to the motor. Also are the $70 floor shift conversion kits at autozone worth anything, or are there other companies that make a little better quality one, but don't cost a mint.

Pics to come as soon as my new camera arrives.

Thanks
Jonesy

[Tx Firefighter]

Hurst is the brand for a 3 speed floor shifter. I don't know what brand AutoZone sells, but if it wasn't Hurst, I'd shop elsewhere.

[Kurt L]

i bought a HUST three spd shifter back in the 90's when i lived in TN for $260.00.HURST is the only way to go in my book.it's been around since before me and i was born in the fifety's.

[Palf70Step]

It's a lot cheaper now. I think with the boot, I paid around 175 through Summit.
I had a Hurst Indy shifter that was designed our trucks and it worked great. I have heard too many horror stories or irritations of people that used discount brand ones. Go with the Hurst.

[lowrollin70gmc]

I run a Hurst on my 3 speed. It's my third shifter, the first two were cheap. I know this one wasn't bad price wise, maybe $80.00? Good luck with the build and lets see some pics. And fixing the rust is an easy (kinda) project, I learned how to on my 70 with the same cancer areas you have.

[BowTieOgre]

So is $1000 your motor budget or your entire build budget? Oh, go Hurst.

[Jonesy]

$1000 to $1200 is my motor budget. I have all the patch panels I need to fix the rust, I just need to find someone to help my put them in. I also have a set of 6 lug rally's that will be going on soon. It also has a completely new brake system, so that is good to go. I mainly need to give the straight 6 a tune up and buy a floor conversion in order for it be streetable, and I'll do everything else while I'm driving it.

Jonesy

[Tx Firefighter]

Bro, you can easily fix your column shift linkage for just a few dollars. All the bushings are still available through GM. The gas to drive to the dealer will probably cost more than the parts. That will save a bunch of money not having to buy a floor shifter that you can use on other, more fun stuff.

[bobthecop]

I would get the mechanical problems fixed first, a pretty truck ain't worth much if it's not dependable.