Frustrated....

[CHEVY_FOREVER]

As some of you may remember I bought a 70 lwb 4x4 in Feb. I have only done the standard maintenance to her and not much else besides a wax and buffing. I wnat to start making a plan of what I want to do with her. I am getting pressured by my friends to drop a new motor in and lift her 4 inches. But besides that she needs a new wood bed, paint job and countles other things.

The 307 seems to run just fine, doesn't burn oil or anything. The 2b carb is hurting and needs replaced. Sure I wish it was a screamer of an engine but the motor is original with 82k on it and is fine. My buddy wants to do the motor situation first before we paint. So I need to decide. I was thinking of just getting a Holly Street Avenger and a weiand action plus intake.....and just helping the little 307. Thoughts?

Suspension. Like most of these trucks the springs are old and saggin a little. I want it to sit a little higher but not a monster. I was thinking maybe a 2 1/2" - 4" lift. Any thoughts for a good place for a lift? Here is the catch my garage will not house this thing with a lift...so what do I do when I sit her for the winter?

[my new 72]

Who owns this truck? You or your buddy? Do what YOU want to do with it. Who cares what your buddy wants you do do with it. It sounds like your buddy is just trying to spend your money and do what he wishes he could do if he had the cash and truck to start with.

[cdowns]

like he said it's real real easy to spend someone elses money !!! go ahead pick out a screamer of a crate motor then tell your "buddy" that you ready to do it as soon as he antes up his half of the 5grand !!! what do you think"buddies" reaction to that will be??? if i were you and on a limited budget i'd just woory about it going on down the road depenably with out having the wheels fallin off, get the carb rebuilt and new springs both of which are pretty cheap repairs, worry more about the routine maintenance issues like brakes,tires,exhaust first b-4 you start fallin into the trap of trickin it out.
another good trick is when "buddy"wants to go out cruisin make sure you have an empty tank when you pick him up, when you pull up to the pump ask him "how much you got for gas??"

[Jeepster376]

I third. It's your truck, do what you think it needs. Doing the maintenance it needs, won't exite your friends, but it will make a nicer truck for you. What good is dumping all your money on a swanky engine, if the rest of the truck is in dire need of the basics.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Well said guy's it's gotta be drivable before it can look good...

[Baradium]

I've been told that the 307 isn't all that great of a motor, but havn't ever dealt with one. The same guys who expressed the opinion didn't just trash a motor either though, no point buying a new engine when what you've got still works was their opinion.

Keep in mind, your truck and you get the final say. I'd get the truck dependably running on the road.

Also, a stock 4x4 isn't wimpy either. I like the look of the stock ones and you hardly ever see a stock 4x4 from those years these days, I think it'd be kind of nice to see a stock 3/4 ton 4x4 fixed up. Also keep in mind that a lift takes away value and you have to spend more money to do it (but again, lift or no, it's still *your* truck and the idea is to make it how you like).

[69 Short Fleet]

I have to agree with the idea of getting it on the road in a safe and dependable manner first and worry about the all the shiny / trick / showstuff after. This very thing has happened to me, I got overwhelmed by this and what has started out as a 3 year restoration has turned into a 8 year restoration (my truck is not a prostreet / blower / bagged / tubbed ect. either) and is still not on the road. My problem was/is I got too far into it to bail out! and I even question my sanity now (lol). Later, Doug

[CHEVY_FOREVER]

First off, I know full well that this is my truck and I should do what I want to to do and that I have the final say in the matter. Sercond my buddy is NOT trying to go on a spending spree with my money. He would never do that he is simply giving me his opinion of what he would do. That is exactly why I wanted to get some of your opinions for a SECOND opinion. Everyone has an opinion and I just wanted to hear about what you all had to say.

The truck is completely road worthy it passed PA inspection the ssame week I brought it home. I have changed all the fluids and made sure everything is safe. I am planning on swapping out the front axle for a newer disc brake version. I will aslo be adding power brakes to the setup, I just wanted to make up my mind on the suspension so I could just do it all at once. I have decided I do want to lift it 2 1/2 or 4" soif anyone knows of a good lift and where to get it at a good price I would love to hear about it. Also as far as the motor I am still between putting in a new 383 stroker my buddy has and just getting a new carb and intake for the 307 and running her till she gives me a reason to replace her. Your opinions would be appreciated.


Thanks,

[JIMs70GMC]

There are several lift manufacturers, two good ones would be skyjacker soft ride or tuff country easy ride. www.offroaddesign.com sell tuff country. Most shops can get the skyjacker. I have tuff country HD 2" spring on my GMC and rough country 4" springs on my Chevy. Both are almost identical in lift height.

[CHEVY_FOREVER]

JIMs70GMC

Could you post pics of both of your trucks for me to compare. Also what was the cost on those kits, aslo do you have the part numbers?


Thanks,

[cdowns]

is he going to give you this stroker motor??are you going to be liable for repairs and or replacement of it??i personally like to own what i have outright.by entering into a deal to borrow a motor you end up part owner of your truck.so for now i'd just spend modest amounts to improve what you've got , headers manifold carb hei that all can be used down the road if you get a 350/383,the other thing to keep in mind when upgrading the motor a new 4core rad and beefed up tranny should be part of the package

[JIMs70GMC]

Bought the tuff country lift from ORD and the rough country lift from JC whitney, who sells both kits now. I also have a discount code for JC whitney(15% off orders over 200). Don't have the prices off the top of my head or part numbers. But just get a kit for a 69(67)-72 chevy truck 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton is the same. I bought my shocks from summit(explore pro comp) and a local off road shop(skyjacker). Spent about $400 total on each.

[CHEVY_FOREVER]

I would be purchasing the 383 stroker from my buddy. I too would never use borrowed parts...too easy to lose freinds that way.

Thanks for the info on the lift kits. Do you prefer one over the other for any reason?

[70ChevyLongbed]

Chevy Forever,

I freshened up my 307 in a similar way to what you described, and I think its a great little motor. It'll never be a 383 Stroker, but it's a strong 'little' motor just the same. I added a mild cam to the idea of an intake and carb and there is a noticeable increase in power. Upgrades have to be done in moderation with a 307, but I think it was worth it. Some people say it's more expensive to upgrade a 307, but all of my parts cost the same as parts for a 350... so I don't get that at all.

One other note... I like the 307, but I'm looking for a 350 to build for when the 307 gets too tired.

[smokekiki]

Can You get the truck in the garage with a 2" lift?A 2" with 33's looks pretty good.I have a 4" and 35's on my blazer,looks good and I can just get in my garage .I have 6'10" to the bottom of the door when open.Do the carb,and get the truck looking good befor putting big bucks into the motor.

[Rdrdave]

Paint doesn't make it go fast...It won't even make it go!

[724wdcopper]

no reason not to trick the 307. most parts will swap if and when you go to a larger small block. carb, intake, accessories . . . etc. get her running great first. it may not be the prettiest girl at the dance, but she could be fast!

i have heard both good and bad things about the 307. the bad usually coming from someone who can only see cubic inches. it's your ride, but even with clapped out paint, a 4wd with nice wheel/tire combo can really look killer. my 72 has add a leafs for a lift. pretty much stock height. i only go offroad in hunting season, so i have two sets of wheel/tires. 18" for the street, 15" w/more aggressive tires for the dirt. i have thought about the tuff country lift. heard good things about it, but $$$ is always an issue. is this rig your daily driver? if not, go hog wild. tough to do when you gotta go to work on monday!

[CHEVY_FOREVER]

Thanks everyone for your opinions.

I agree paint is the last thing I need to worry about. The Original paint is still looking decent after a wax job and like you guys said it aint gonna make her run any better!

Suspension, I think I am going to go with the 4" just don't know which one. Are the rear springs a must, or will blocks be just fine? If you guys can post some pics of your 4" lifts that would be sweet, also please note what the tire size is.

Motor, Just going to clean up her appearence and throw a new carb and intake on her. Holley told me to get this combination for the 307 (Holley Street Avenger HLY-O-80570 and Weiand Action Plus WND-8004) is any one running this combination currently? If so what are your thoughts. The only other thing I think I will do with the top of the motor off is ad the HEI. Could someone please recommend one to purchase. MSD, MALLORY, whoever? one other motor question, my truck already has duel flowmaster exhaust on but no headers just original manifolds...should I spring for the headers or not worry about it right now?

So appearence will improve with lift tires and ralley wheels. While the motor gets alittle help with a new carb & intake combo (headers?).
Sounds like a good plan, don't you think?


Thanks for listening.

[724wdcopper]

any reason you're going with a holley instead of a quadrajet or edelbrock? i have always heard horror stories of holley's loosing their tune when the weather changes or you travel to slightly different elevations. is it because you already have a holley? i love my quadrajet, but second choice (other than fuel injection!) would be an edelbrock. just my opinion, maybe i'm all wet and havent a clue about what i'm saying!

anyone running a ram jet crate motor?

[Rdrdave]

I've used blocks and they are fine if you don't stomp on it and just drive. They tend to get let the axle wrap more if you have a heavy foot. HEI...I've used an Accel on my 73 and it's been fine. I bought it used, new to me, and on the safe side put a cap, rotor, and icm in it. Has been running fine ever since. EBY purchase $60. The WHY-and plus is the same as the performer just less $$$. I have 3.08 gears and 33s and I didn't like the sluggishness (if that's a word). 33s run fine with 3.73 gears and even better if you have 4.11s. 4" lift is just enough. You won't even feel the shocks until the springs break in. No cracked rams no need for headers yet. They seem to always look good but unless you're buzzing the motor it's ok with rams.

I have a 307 in my 68 2wd. Drips oil (antirust coating) and it has to have over 200K on it. Looks ugly but when I need to smash on it, it gets me there. It has a 2bbl on it and nothing else. Points, rams, scaly intake, oil all over, but I did put a dual exhaust w/40 flows on it. Sounds sweet.