A grandpa’s camper truck resurrection - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**MikeB** · 11-22-2021, 12:15 PM

Nice find!

You may be way ahead of me already, but after changing the coolant and t-stat, I'd change the oil & filter, shoot an ounce of oil in each spark plug hole, and turn the engine over by hand. If all feels good, then check cylinder cranking pressure. If that looks OK, then fire her up to see if she runs. Probably would be good to pre-lube the engine since the distributor will be out anyway.

Speaking of the distributor, don't forget to bypass the ignition ballast resistor when you connect the HEI.

Also, I wouldn't worry about the heads initially. What are the casting numbers? If it's 3932454 they should be 76cc chambers with either 1.72" or 1.94" intake valves. I'd suspect 1.94" for a 350 and 1.72" for a 307. But hopefully they are not crack-prone like later smog castings. When you do go to modern heads, you probably shouldn't go smaller that 70cc chambers unless they're aluminum, or pre-ignition could be a problem.

Have fun bringing her back to life!

11-22-2021, 12:15 PM	#10
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,035	Re: A grandpa’s camper truck resurrection Nice find! You may be way ahead of me already, but after changing the coolant and t-stat, I'd change the oil & filter, shoot an ounce of oil in each spark plug hole, and turn the engine over by hand. If all feels good, then check cylinder cranking pressure. If that looks OK, then fire her up to see if she runs. Probably would be good to pre-lube the engine since the distributor will be out anyway. Speaking of the distributor, don't forget to bypass the ignition ballast resistor when you connect the HEI. Also, I wouldn't worry about the heads initially. What are the casting numbers? If it's 3932454 they should be 76cc chambers with either 1.72" or 1.94" intake valves. I'd suspect 1.94" for a 350 and 1.72" for a 307. But hopefully they are not crack-prone like later smog castings. When you do go to modern heads, you probably shouldn't go smaller that 70cc chambers unless they're aluminum, or pre-ignition could be a problem. Have fun bringing her back to life! __________________ Mike 1969 Custom/10 LWB -- owned for 37 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. Hedman stainless headers. Old Air installation in progress. 1982 Custom Deluxe 10 SWB -- converted from 250-six to roller cam 350 w/ Vortec heads -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB, 305, TH350C -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) which I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 26 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!



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