Made an "un-popular" decision with my 307!

[Redleg]

Yep, just like the title says, ive made what some on here will say is a retarded, pointless move.

I am keeping a 307 in my truck.

No, i am not building a big bad ass bored out 307. If i wanted that then i would go to a 350 then wouldnt I?

No i am not building a "restored" original truck......Not even close...

Ive came to the conclusion that i love peoples reactions when they hear me pull up and say man, that sounds good, whats under the hood a 350? Then when i tell them its the mostly stock 307 with the original never rebuilt bottom, the wistfull look disappears and is replaced by a half scowl and a usual, oh....thought it had more than that..........

Yes a 350 is a great motor. Yes you can do more with a 350 than any other motor. Yes i love 350s....

However, this truck is my daily driver.....This truck will NEVER be an award winning show truck and i am not looking to do burnouts at EVERY intersection. (Just every third one) The truck will do that just fine right now!

Yes this truck will change appearance, it will gain a better paint job, but its always going to be my shop truck.....

The 307 in it right now has PLENTY of power for what i use it for. Driving to work and cruising on the weekends.......

So, back to my decision. I am going to build a 307. Not buy, not get rebuilt. I am going to build my first motor, well bottom half anyway. Its going to be a stock 307 with possibly a .10 bore depending on the shape of the block i pick up. I am keeping the elderbrock manifold, 305 heads and elderbrock carb and HEI distributor... Probably will add headers and keep my 60 series flowmasters.... Depending on feedback from here and research and pricing, a small cam might be in order. I will depend a lot of feedback from you guys. Last time i was involved in an engine build was my freshman year of high school at trade school in auto class, which was well, 16 years ago...and i dropped that to take carpentry because the teacher was a burnout......

Its not going to happen overnight. Im starting from scratch. So going to pick up the tools first over the next couple of months. Hopefully by late spring i will have a block back from a machine shop ready to be built. My HOPE is to have it completed late summer to mid-fall before the cold weather sets in and i lose my everyday riding weather on the bike....

My hope is also at the same time that i pull the engine, i will pull the tranny and replace the 3 OTT with either a 5 speed floor shift or a 3 speed automatic with OD. Really really hoping on that the 5 speed floor shift (T-5). If i can ever find the right trannys........

So there it is..... a decision that people will be going, better him than me, dont know what he is thinking, and thats not i would do....but that is exactly the point.

Its what I want to do, it is my truck.....If i am happy with it....thats all that matters.

And for those who have actually read this far..... My plan one day is to have a 67-72 4x4 possibly a C20......with a......you guessed it....350....That will be the truck i make a powerhouse......Right now my concentration is building this truck. THen finding a 60-66 for the wife......priorities.........

[Keller]

[BR3W CITY]

something different for sure.
Might not be a 307 tho, unless my math is wrong...if you increase it by .010 overbore, that makes your 307 a ~310.
I'm just kinda breaking your balls on it tho. Its a decent motor for economy in your daily, and since it winds up decently quick it should be fun.

[HEI451]

Calm down, 307's aren't the end of the world, they are just like any other small block, workable, and when done right, even stock, they are good, reliable power plants that give decades of great service.

Don't feel alone about what others feel is an unpopular engine, I installed a 3-5E V6 big block in place of the 5 cylinder inline 292 in my '64 C30. I like it, and, I like different.

Go for it, and...enjoy.

[Redleg]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

something different for sure.
Might not be a 307 tho, unless my math is wrong...if you increase it by .010 overbore, that makes your 307 a ~310.
I'm just kinda breaking your balls on it tho. Its a decent motor for economy in your daily, and since it winds up decently quick it should be fun.

Haha, yeah you got a good point there...........

[rcbildr]

Wouldn't the 305 heads hurt performance? I've heard they don't flow very well...or are you going to give them a port job too?

[GRX]

Good decision. Nothing at all wrong with leaving the 307 in there. No reason to join the 350 crowd. Sticking with the original 250 straight-6 in my Steeper. Because it's cool.

[kSStamp0182]

hell its your truck.

put a steam engine in it if that's what you wanna do.

[MalibuSSwagon]

I decided to keep my 305, for different reasons. One being that I don't have the space to swap it out for a 5.3L. So I replaced the cam, timing chain and putting a TPI on top. Should be almost as good as the LS.

[Redleg]

Originally Posted by rcbildr

Wouldn't the 305 heads hurt performance? I've heard they don't flow very well...or are you going to give them a port job too?

That is a very good question. I got the truck in its current "configuration". The guy that owned it before was a master mechanic. His "thoughts or idea" was that the 305 heads actually help. I am not even going to say that i know because i honestly do not. I have heard they restrict the flow, but i have also heard they increase the hp....

Of course money is always an object, so in the end game, we will see what i can go with, but it will be whats best for the motor i put in..... Whether its 305, 307 or whatever kind of heads. Going to rely a lot on feedback i get here......

[prostreetC-10]

LOL.....it does sound like you got beat up in a previous post when you wrote that. There are guys on this board that make some pretty crazy decisions TO ME.......like choice of wheels, motors, colors....etc. There are also guys on here that think it is RETARDED to have your motor hanging out of the hood like I have. That's what's cool about this board.

Some trucks in the air,
some layin' frame.
some are super cool,
and some kinda lame.

Some kinda slow,
and some really fast.
some run on 110,
and some on pump gas!

Okay.....I have no idea where that came from!!!

[Redleg]

Originally Posted by prostreetC-10

LOL.....it does sound like you got beat up in a previous post when you wrote that. There are guys on this board that make some pretty crazy decisions TO ME.......like choice of wheels, motors, colors....etc. There are also guys on here that think it is RETARDED to have your motor hanging out of the hood like I have. That's what's cool about this board.

Some trucks in the air,
some layin' frame.
some are super cool,
and some kinda lame.

Some kinda slow,
and some really fast.
some run on 110,
and some on pump gas!

Okay.....I have no idea where that came from!!!

Yeah there are quite a few (307 Sucks) comments. But, there are just as many (thats cool) comments as well.

They are our trucks...We do with them what we wish. That what makes it MY truck.

And that poem is freaking awesome! Love it! It is becoming my SIG!

[Warrens69GMC]

Originally Posted by rcbildr

Wouldn't the 305 heads hurt performance? I've heard they don't flow very well...or are you going to give them a port job too?

The 307's of the 68-70's got the 185 heads and I belive they were equipped with 1.72"I and 1.5"E valves.

The 305 heads from the 80-86 HO motors (416 casting) had 1.84"I and 1.5"E valves.

On a rebuild using the flattop piston that will yield 8.7:1 with 64cc piston (.04 compressed gasket, -.02 in the bore) you can achieve ~9.4:1 with its 58cc chamber and choosing a head gasket with a ~.030 thickness.

Both of those items will help the 307.

[Redleg]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

The 307's of the 68-70's got the 185 heads and I belive they were equipped with 1.72"I and 1.5"E valves.

The 305 heads from the 80-86 HO motors (416 casting) had 1.84"I and 1.5"E valves.

On a rebuild using the flattop piston that will yield 8.7:1 with 64cc piston (.04 compressed gasket, -.02 in the bore) you can achieve ~9.4:1 with its 58cc chamber and choosing a head gasket with a ~.030 thickness.

Both of those items will help the 307.

See thats why i joined this forum! Good help and a lot of knowledge!

[GASoline71]

It's not a bad thing at all if you wanna run a 307 in your truck. Bone stockers are still cool dude.

Gary

[stomper]

An engine builder told me the 307's got a bad rep because of the heads. Big chamber and low compression. Set of 'better' heads wakes them right up. The stock 307 short block is fine. It's still a small block Chevy.

At one time a cheap upgrade for the 170hp 2bbl 283 from the early 60's was also a set of used 305 heads (smaller chamber). Lots of passengers in my bubbletop thought it had a hot 350 until I popped the hood and showed them the 283.

Rock the 307!

[crazy longhorn]

I have done a couple "fuelie Head" swaps on the little 307. I agree, that they get a bad rep, 'cause out of the factory they are low compression, small valve/big chambers, & run 2 brl carbs & single exhaust! If you take the time, & set one up properly....I will bet that your buds wont know that its NOT a 275-300 hp 327 IMHO, the 307 has far more potential that the 305, as far as performance. A little shorter on the strock(1/4"), but the 3 7/8" bore will let her breath with bigger valves. Add a very mild cam, & a small 4brl 5-600 cfm....headers /duals, & the proper gearing & you have a damn nice runner crazyL

[Redleg]

Instead of make a new thread, this is going to be my run it by the experts thread. Heres my thoughts. Please beat this to death for me and help me get the most bang (HP) for my buck.

-307 Block with .020 bore
-Flat head O/S .020 Pistons
-Small cam possibly a Hydraulic Flat Tappet Duration 242/252, Lift .368/.398 Possibly smaller duration because of the heads i will be using? Maybe a 230/230 duration with a .480/480 lift? (feedback especially wanted here)
-Elderbrock intake (on current 307)
-Elderbrock 600 Carb (on current 307)
-HEI distributor (on current 307)
-MSD Ignition
-305 heads with 1.84 intake. they are 416 casting 305 heads (on current 307)
-headers
-dual flowmaster 60 series mufflers (on current 307)
-Has current 3OTT, but hope to change to T-5, or T-56 depending on availability
-3.73 rear end.....

So what are some thoughts on what this will get me? Am i way off base? Decent build or will it need some work? About to start the build in a couple of weeks so i am doing research and going to start ordering soon!

[Warrens69GMC]

consider running the XE262 or at most the XE268

[Redleg]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

consider running the XE262 or at most the XE268

I did see some info on that one. THink it will work best with the setup i have planned? Any other ideas?

[GASoline71]

The .230/.230 @ .050, and .480/.480 lift is way too big. That is like a Comp Magnum 280H, or a Lunati Bracketmaster II 292.

The Comp XE268, or Lunati Voodoo 60100 or 60101 would be better

Gary

[Captainfab]

I would suggest taking a look at this thread.....

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=429865

[Redleg]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

The .230/.230 @ .050, and .480/.480 lift is way too big. That is like a Comp Magnum 280H, or a Lunati Bracketmaster II 292.

The Comp XE268, or Lunati Voodoo 60100 or 60101 would be better

Gary

Thanks for the input. Would the XE262 be better than a XE268?

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I would suggest taking a look at this thread.....

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=429865

THanks for that! I remember reading it a while back! Good info! If i can find a good set up Vortec heads for a reasonable price i might go that direction!

As im sure you guys noticed and i have mentioned before. This will be my first build. I just moved to Mississippi so dont exactly have the support group of mechanic genious friends like i did back in Texas..... So i will be relying on a lot of input from you guys and doing a lot of research online....

[sean1969c10]

I'll take some heat from ya, I did a quickie rebuild on a 267 sbc and slid it in my 69 c10. So compared to me you almost have a big block!!!! I had the engine and it ran pretty good with rain water mixed with the oil and leaves and twigs under the valve covers and in the lifter valley. So I tore it down cleaned it up and it's sitting in the truck now. I have a 383 half built but the money to finish it the way I want it just isn't there and I want my truck running. Nothing wrong with a 307, there might be a little something wrong with a 267!!!!!

[Redleg]

Originally Posted by sean1969c10

I'll take some heat from ya, I did a quickie rebuild on a 267 sbc and slid it in my 69 c10. So compared to me you almost have a big block!!!! I had the engine and it ran pretty good with rain water mixed with the oil and leaves and twigs under the valve covers and in the lifter valley. So I tore it down cleaned it up and it's sitting in the truck now. I have a 383 half built but the money to finish it the way I want it just isn't there and I want my truck running. Nothing wrong with a 307, there might be a little something wrong with a 267!!!!!

Hey i dont see a thing wrong with it.... To me it is a personnel choice. Believe me if i had the money for a 383 i would be doing it. But, i dont.... So instead of just getting a basic 350, with 300hp straight out of a box. Im trying to see what an old 307 can do with a few changes.... I think i can possibly get close or match a crate 300HP 350.....

If i can do that, then i can pride myself in the fact that I just didnt go buy a store bought 300Hp 350, but made a 40 year old 307 produce 300Hp....

This truck is going to be my daily driver, hopefully i will be able to add to the fleet one day, and then....well all bets are off...I wont be looking for a daily driver 307 or 350, then i will be looking to build that 383.......

To me its part of making the truck my own. Very little of this truck has been done by me. I am working to change that and put my signature on it.

I am doing what i can to turn a bought truck, into a built truck. Something that truly deserves a build thread even though it might not meet what everyone says is smart or conventional....

To me, being as this is my first true build. Its important to keep my signature on it.....I dont have any plans on getting rid of this truck. So i am going to make it what I want it to be.....

I have to admit, i have gotten some flack about keeping the 307 and not changing to a 350...but people on this forum have been really good. Reading through some other car forums, people were downright nasty to guys who were deciding to keep their 283s 305s and 307s.....