What to Do?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

clean71 · 01-18-2007, 12:59 PM

Have a 72 Jimmy w/original drive train. Don't plan on selling anytime soon, but.... Question is should I rebuild the original 350 or drop the $$ on a ramjet 350? or....Can spend about 6k total. What do you guys think?

2wdBlazer · 01-18-2007, 02:22 PM

Keep the original for the value later on and drop in that Ram Jet now!!!

bouncytruck · 01-18-2007, 02:24 PM

If you're going to restore the rig to original, rebuild the engine. If you want an updated or modified, nice driver, go with the ramjet.

Critter · 01-18-2007, 03:06 PM

Just go ahead and spring for the new engine to get things up and going, but NEVER get rid of that original sbc! Rebuild it later when the time is right.

Jtrux · 01-18-2007, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Critter

Just go ahead and spring for the new engine to get things up and going, but NEVER get rid of that original sbc! Rebuild it later when the time is right.

Good advice...I pulled my original motor out a while back and threw EVERYTHING away and now i'm buying it all back one piece at a time.

The ramjet is about 4900 when I looked at it so that leaves 1100 for a nice brand new serpentine belt drive on the front (549 w/o air, 749 with air). Just add headers and you should be good to go. It's tough though because if you went to a reputable machine shop and got a good rebuild with some aftermarket heads, cam, intake, etc, etc, you get make a lot stouter motor in my opinion; even a nice 383 for the same if not less money but you'd have to stay carbureted. Personally i'd go with the rebuild and hop it up a little. If you didn't go crazy on the rebuild you could drop the Edelbrock EFE kit and stay within your budget and make more power too. The ramjet sure is convenient though.

LUV2XCLR8 · 01-19-2007, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bouncytruck

If you're going to restore the rig to original, rebuild the engine. If you
want an updated or modified, nice driver, go with the ramjet.

Huck · 01-19-2007, 08:55 AM

Depends on what you want to accomplish. For cheap power, have the original rebuilt but use newer vortec heads, efi, HEi~~~and off you go. If normal driving, spring for a new crate mtr. You will probably enjoy a different transmission even more then the motor!! Overdrive make old trucks a lot more useable and enjoyable. IF offroad, go for broke as it will make you broke.

Burt4x4 · 01-19-2007, 10:24 AM

Drop in a 454 and have FUN

Chevyman63 · 01-19-2007, 03:17 PM

It also depends on if there are any other goodies that you may want to buy for it(the Jimmy).

69BLAZYA · 01-19-2007, 03:26 PM

ramjet would let you enjoy it more less screwin' around with the carb ..

Mike C · 01-20-2007, 12:57 PM

I'm with Huck. Why not find a low mileage take-out 5.7 with 4L60E? For about $2500 you can have a late model motor, FI, overdrive, AND the serpentine drive setup.

Just depends on down time I guess. You really need a second vehicle to pull the swap off realistically IMO. But that should leave you $3500...

01-18-2007, 12:59 PM	#1
clean71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 335	What to Do?? Have a 72 Jimmy w/original drive train. Don't plan on selling anytime soon, but.... Question is should I rebuild the original 350 or drop the $$ on a ramjet 350? or....Can spend about 6k total. What do you guys think? __________________ CPO U.S. Navy(Ret) 1972 GMC Jimmy 4x4 Custom 1972 GMC Jimmy 2x4 Custom

01-18-2007, 02:22 PM	#2
2wdBlazer The Blazer King Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Valrico, Fl (Tampa) Posts: 1,213	Re: What to Do?? Keep the original for the value later on and drop in that Ram Jet now!!! __________________ 72 2wd Blazer. Its the superbichinest, megacoolinest, superflowinest.

01-18-2007, 02:24 PM	#3
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Re: What to Do?? If you're going to restore the rig to original, rebuild the engine. If you want an updated or modified, nice driver, go with the ramjet. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

01-18-2007, 03:06 PM	#4
Critter Future TOTM Winner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bulverde, TX Posts: 2,692	Re: What to Do?? Just go ahead and spring for the new engine to get things up and going, but NEVER get rid of that original sbc! Rebuild it later when the time is right. __________________ 72 Chevy CST K5 HIGHLANDER BLAZER Getting a 6.0,NV4500,NP205,14BFF (Currently laying all over the place in little pieces) 72 Chevy swb step-side "LS" 6.0 Here's a build thread of sorts 2002 HD2500 Crew Cab, 8.1L Allison 4x4 Daily Driver Check it out www.lsdyno.com

01-19-2007, 08:55 AM	#7
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Re: What to Do?? Depends on what you want to accomplish. For cheap power, have the original rebuilt but use newer vortec heads, efi, HEi~~~and off you go. If normal driving, spring for a new crate mtr. You will probably enjoy a different transmission even more then the motor!! Overdrive make old trucks a lot more useable and enjoyable. IF offroad, go for broke as it will make you broke.

01-19-2007, 10:24 AM	#8
Burt4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,842	Re: What to Do?? Drop in a 454 and have FUN __________________ 1972 K5 MPFI454/Sm465/Np205/D60/14FFd/Re-Centerd H1s w/Swamper Iroks

01-19-2007, 03:17 PM	#9
Chevyman63 Can't wait to retire!! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Corunna, MI Posts: 1,575	Re: What to Do?? It also depends on if there are any other goodies that you may want to buy for it(the Jimmy). __________________ 2009 4x4 Chevy Crew Cab 6.0 1989 4x4 Siverado (270,000 miles) 1972 4x4 Blazer 2007 Chevy Cutaway 1 ton 1970 Corvette (sons project) RIP - CLR 10/11/09 Last edited by Chevyman63; 01-19-2007 at 03:18 PM.

01-19-2007, 03:26 PM	#10
69BLAZYA Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Farmington NH Posts: 7	Re: What to Do?? ramjet would let you enjoy it more less screwin' around with the carb ..

01-20-2007, 12:57 PM	#11
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,715	Re: What to Do?? I'm with Huck. Why not find a low mileage take-out 5.7 with 4L60E? For about $2500 you can have a late model motor, FI, overdrive, AND the serpentine drive setup. Just depends on down time I guess. You really need a second vehicle to pull the swap off realistically IMO. But that should leave you $3500... __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.