built 396 big block.1967 longbed,1986 shortbed???

[dmartin1]

ok.
im stuck in a hard decision.
i was rebuilding the 327 for my 1967 chevy and came to find out the crank was cracked,cam bearings and rod bearings thrashed,let alone the main bearings.

so,
i have a 396 "hi-perf" big block,numbers read somewhere around the 350hp stock area.im not sure i cant remember.
it has trw 10.5:1 high domed pistons,427 big valved heads with double valve springs,pushrod guides,1.7 ratio stainless steel roller rockers with poly locks,its the steel crank engine,high pitch gear drive,hei with accel supercoil etc.

wwhat are your opinions on which truck to put this engine into?

i have the longbed 1967 1/2 ton 6 lug chevy
or a 1986 shortbed 5 lug 1.2ton chevy(which i have slicks,headersand exhaust system for)
?

please,i just need opinions lol

[Longhorn Man]

I'd take the front suspention and exhaust outta the square body, slap them under the cool 67, and drop the engine in.
Then have a beer and call it a day.

[mclairmo]

That, my friend, depends on many things. What is the ultimate usage of each truck? Do you plan to sell one of them soon? How much money do you want to spend? Which truck do you actually like better? Personally, I would throw your 396 (similar to my 396 in my Camaro) in the 86 shortbed and go racing. Rebuild your 327 or buy a cheap longblock 350 for the 67 and use it as a hauler/shop truck. The long beds are not as popular or valuable (I know many here will disagree with me but I speak the truth). If the 67 was a shortbed or a 4x4, I would reverse my advice.

[Skirkpat]

Longhorn man is on the right track, part the 1986 out after you rob all the good stuff for the 67...would much rather have a 67 than an 86, I am just not a huge fan of the body style.

I have noticed that the shortbed owners always say how popular and (valuable) their trucks are...I think that is mainly a matter of preference, the shortbeds usually cost more to buy and may bring a little more when sold isn't that a net wash?

[Longhorn Man]

SWB trucks do bring in more... that is a fact. Can't argue with it.
But, the style, build quality, better rear suspention (for the implied useage the OP's intended use) and attention demanded by a 67 outweigh the stuby bed on the less desirable square body.

It's all personal preference, and the OP did ask for opinions... not resale values.
And, the fact will probably be, on the 67 - 72 forum of this site, the voice will most likely be, cruise the 67, part out the square body.

[davebloomer]

I'd say cruise the 67 and part out the square body

[threeonthetree]

67 do it truck will be cooler than that square head light 86

[special-K]

Nothing wrong with a sweet `n` low big block`67 long bed.