newbie here - '77 swb

[project_77]

Yep, that's right. I'm fresh meat here. I bought my '77 SWB Chevy in March '09. Then two days later, the tranny cut loose on it. So me and a friend of mine put a new TCI tranny in with a Holeshot 2400.

At this point, it is driving better but seems "off" while running. A quick compression test revealed that the #5 cylinder was dead. No compression at all.

So again, me and my friend pull the head off to reveal a stuck exhaust valve.

I was able to pick up a set of heads from a racer friend of his for $200 and they already have big valves (2.02/1.60). I had to get a new intake because these heads are centerbolt heads.

Now it's running a lot better. Wifey bought me a cam for my bday (Lunati 60103) and I installed it with a rash of other new parts (water pump, oil pan, new lifters, gaskets galore, long-tubes and a permadry oil pan gasket (thick front seal here)).

I am real pleased with the way it is running now. It runs real strong. I am planning the on the following work next:

1. Rebuild front end

2. Ring and pinion (3.73 or MAYBE 4.11)

3. Rocker panels and floor pans