73-87 Truck and Engine questions

[elwood]

I will be in the market soon for another 73-87 2wd. This time I would like to try out a 73-78 as the last truck I had the last owner put an '85 body on the '78 frame. I like the look of the earlier trucks better (round headlights). What should I look for or avoid in the 73-78 trucks?

Also, I plan to find a truck with a good body/interior but a tired drivetrain, as I have a 305/700r4 combo w/ 100k on them from the '88 caprice.

I have some questions about the motor and trans. What do I have to swap/convert/rig up to make the '88 305 and 700r4 work in a 73-78 pickup?

The 305 has some sort of computer controlled carb and smaller distributer.

What about the trans? Where do I hook up the electrical for the lock up? Are the drive shafts and cross members different from the th350/400?

I'm not looking to build a hot rod here...just a run around/daily driver rig.

Thanks for your time...

Elwood