Rebuilding with #matching ??

[Gator70]

I have a dilemma, I have a 2nd owner 70 K15 GMC, the truck only has 60K on it but needs some tlc. I am stuck between rebuilding the stock motor/tranny to keep all of the original #'s together, or dropping in a crate rebuild. I wont be selling this truck or making it a trailer queen, but will be making it very pleasing to the eye. I like the sentimental value of having all the original parts kept with the truck, i was also told by my grandad(original owner) that the motor is a stock 300hp 350. Have not dug into the block # but the head # didnt show anything fancy. The block was produced Aug/69 by the stamp on the front.

I am also changing the front brakes from drum to disc and am wrestling with the same situation(change out whole front end vs modifing original)

Any thoughts??

[jerry moss]

Gator,
build it to make yourself happy, if it was a super rare vehicle i'd say keep it original but you're making it a driver so as long as it's not cut/welded/butchered, it can always be brought back to stock as long as keep the original parts. i'm doing a 72 K20 cheyenne purchased new by my uncle and i'm building it to suit me, it'll still be his truck but personalized the way i want it---the way i would have ordered it back in 72. have fun

[1969k10stepside]

Well,I am switching engines and switching to disc on my 69 k10.If everything
else would be original I would leave the original stuff on it.Do you have the money to rebuild the engine?Who really cares if it has a disc brake front axle.
Only you and people who know better would think it would have came with disc.If nothing was wrong,you just wanting disc brakes,I would keep that axle
and save money.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I may be wrong on this, but I don't think trucks ever had "matching numbers" on the original engine or trans. The dress number, stamped onto the block [just behind the distributer on the L6] refers to plant/ date of assembly/ and a 2 or 3 letter group. Example: F0626UH = Flint, Mich. [06] June, 26th, UH = '67 & '68 292s. My original engine is dress-stamped, F0627XAE. I can't find a translation of XAE. Might mean 'exchange under warranty' if the original 292 was a lemon. That's only a guess.
Anyway, the advantage to rebuilding the original equipment is that you KNOW it will all fit. Also you can rebuild it to your needs and specifications. You will have the satisfaction of knowing it's the original engine.
The disadvantage may be that it might be cheaper to drop in a Goodwrench crate motor and save a lot of hassle assembling an engine -- unless you're like a lot of nuts on this forum who actually enjoy that sort of thing. Myself included.
As far as switching out the front axle-- I have a '71 K1500 Jimmy w/Dana 44 and discs, and a '67 K/10 Sub with stock Corp 10-bolt front and drum brakes -- and the difference is noticeable. Stopping the suburban was like Fred Flintstone. I had to pick the least objectionable target I was gonna hit. I intend to R&R the K/10's front with a dana 44 + discs from a '77 Blazer. Definately a good move.

[qksilver]

You can swap the drums for disc's , you don't have to swap the whole axle. Use stock parts