Original 307 engine, do I keep it in or get rid of it? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Scottk6204 · 06-06-2012, 08:25 AM

Hey guys, I recently bought a clean 68 short box that has its original 307 3 speed column in it. I have already purchased a 5.3 Ls motor and 4L60E trans for it and was wanting to get that put in. My problem is this 307 runs like a top and to get this 5.3 installed is going to cost me another $2000 after extra parts and labor. There is a lot of other things I would like to get done on my truck and will not be able to do that if I spend my money getting this engine swap done.
So do I sell this 5.3 set up and not be so buried in this truck money wise or do I just go ahead with my original plan?

**LEEVON** · 06-06-2012, 08:30 AM

I would set the 5.3L aside, do whatever else you have planned for the truck (over time) and swap later when you're ready. A running engine is worth two on the floor.

68gmsee · 06-06-2012, 08:41 AM

^ Agreed. Why get rid of a perfectly good running engine to install an unknown. If you have storage space hold on to the LS just make sure you oil the cylinders down. If you do a lot of driving in the truck, eventually you will need it.

hopped up · 06-06-2012, 08:43 AM

i wovld keep the 307, esp since its running well. it always cost twice as much as you expect. that ls swap may cost you more than 2gs. do the other stuff before doing the swap
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Rob H. · 06-06-2012, 08:44 AM

I've got the 307 in my 72 also. I put it on the road as my DD in Febuary and am going to run it until it gives up the fight LOL. Then I have to decide if I'm going to use my 327 or the .040 over 5.7 out of my 96 burb! The 307 has never been a favorite of mine or most anybody I've talked too, but it's in it and runs and has been doing everything I've needed it too since I put the truck on the road. I've towed about 5000 lbs of tractor and equipment with it and it pulled it along at 60 just fine.

kcfirstbuild · 06-06-2012, 08:51 AM

I wanted to keep my truck with matching numbers so I Just rebuilt my 307, made a whole 200 horses !! It too also had 3 on the tree, which now days people have no idea what that is. So i kept it all. ALso depend on what your trying to build, hot rod or cruiser.

ChevLoRay · 06-06-2012, 10:12 AM

Three on the tree...indeed an old adage. My first driver was a '54 Ford with "three on the tree". Way better than a Ford-O-Matic. But, my shifter came with this HUGE chrome knob on the end. It was heavy enough that I had to hold it in 2nd until I was ready to shift. It would fall into neutral, but not quite heavy enough to drop into 3rd. Fun for a 17-yr old in '64.

**Already Gone** · 06-06-2012, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEEVON

I would set the 5.3L aside, do whatever else you have planned for the truck (over time) and swap later when you're ready. A running engine is worth two on the floor.

I agree 100% with Leevon.

Bert W · 06-06-2012, 11:32 AM

I second LeeVon's response!

treveiger · 06-06-2012, 12:39 PM

3rd
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Scottk6204 · 06-06-2012, 01:58 PM

Wow, thanks guys. Yeah I wasn't expecting it to run this good, it doesn't even leak a drop of oil. It has been sitting a long time and not driven much for several years so I think I will change points, cap, wires and plugs. Not real crazy about the 3 on the tree and I was maybe thinking about swapping that out and putting in an automatic column with a th350. But again the 3 speed works perfect.

MARKDTN · 06-06-2012, 02:30 PM

A 307 has the same crankshaft as a 327 by the way.

I would run the 307 until you have time and inclination to do the 5.3 swap.

68gmsee · 06-06-2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

Three on the tree...indeed an old adage. My first driver was a '54 Ford with "three on the tree". Way better than a Ford-O-Matic. But, my shifter came with this HUGE chrome knob on the end. It was heavy enough that I had to hold it in 2nd until I was ready to shift. It would fall into neutral, but not quite heavy enough to drop into 3rd. Fun for a 17-yr old in '64.

Or as my cajun buddy used to say, "tree on da tree." My 68 has it and every year I laugh when the youngsters at the inspection station stare at it...

**N2TRUX** · 06-07-2012, 10:02 AM

My Daddy used to tell me "Son, if it aint broke, don't fix it till it is" He had some pretty profound advice.

06-06-2012, 08:25 AM	#1
Scottk6204 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Altoona, Iowa Posts: 18	Original 307 engine, do I keep it in or get rid of it? Hey guys, I recently bought a clean 68 short box that has its original 307 3 speed column in it. I have already purchased a 5.3 Ls motor and 4L60E trans for it and was wanting to get that put in. My problem is this 307 runs like a top and to get this 5.3 installed is going to cost me another $2000 after extra parts and labor. There is a lot of other things I would like to get done on my truck and will not be able to do that if I spend my money getting this engine swap done. So do I sell this 5.3 set up and not be so buried in this truck money wise or do I just go ahead with my original plan?

06-06-2012, 08:30 AM	#2
LEEVON Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,887	Re: Original 307 engine, do I keep it in or get rid of it? I would set the 5.3L aside, do whatever else you have planned for the truck (over time) and swap later when you're ready. A running engine is worth two on the floor. __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

06-06-2012, 08:41 AM	#3
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Original 307 engine, do I keep it in or get rid of it? ^ Agreed. Why get rid of a perfectly good running engine to install an unknown. If you have storage space hold on to the LS just make sure you oil the cylinders down. If you do a lot of driving in the truck, eventually you will need it.

06-06-2012, 08:43 AM	#4
hopped up Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: los angeles,ca Posts: 3,617	Re: Original 307 engine, do I keep it in or get rid of it? i wovld keep the 307, esp since its running well. it always cost twice as much as you expect. that ls swap may cost you more than 2gs. do the other stuff before doing the swap Posted via Mobile Device

06-06-2012, 08:44 AM	#5
Rob H. Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Petersville KY Posts: 673	Re: Original 307 engine, do I keep it in or get rid of it? I've got the 307 in my 72 also. I put it on the road as my DD in Febuary and am going to run it until it gives up the fight LOL. Then I have to decide if I'm going to use my 327 or the .040 over 5.7 out of my 96 burb! The 307 has never been a favorite of mine or most anybody I've talked too, but it's in it and runs and has been doing everything I've needed it too since I put the truck on the road. I've towed about 5000 lbs of tractor and equipment with it and it pulled it along at 60 just fine. __________________ Rob 72 C/10 (under reconstruction)(destruction ? LOL) 48 Willys CJ2A 1952 Super "A" Farmall (Grandfather's)

06-06-2012, 08:51 AM	#6
kcfirstbuild Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Red Wing Mn Posts: 526	Re: Original 307 engine, do I keep it in or get rid of it? I wanted to keep my truck with matching numbers so I Just rebuilt my 307, made a whole 200 horses !! It too also had 3 on the tree, which now days people have no idea what that is. So i kept it all. ALso depend on what your trying to build, hot rod or cruiser.

06-06-2012, 10:12 AM	#7
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Original 307 engine, do I keep it in or get rid of it? Three on the tree...indeed an old adage. My first driver was a '54 Ford with "three on the tree". Way better than a Ford-O-Matic. But, my shifter came with this HUGE chrome knob on the end. It was heavy enough that I had to hold it in 2nd until I was ready to shift. It would fall into neutral, but not quite heavy enough to drop into 3rd. Fun for a 17-yr old in '64. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

06-06-2012, 11:32 AM	#9
Bert W Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 373	Re: Original 307 engine, do I keep it in or get rid of it? I second LeeVon's response! __________________ 1968 Chevy C/10 LWB V8 1983 K5 Blazer 1989 C1500 Stepside Reg. Cab V8

06-06-2012, 12:39 PM	#10
treveiger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4,093	Re: Original 307 engine, do I keep it in or get rid of it? 3rd Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1969 Chevy c20(Miss Hackjob)

06-06-2012, 01:58 PM	#11
Scottk6204 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Altoona, Iowa Posts: 18	Re: Original 307 engine, do I keep it in or get rid of it? Wow, thanks guys. Yeah I wasn't expecting it to run this good, it doesn't even leak a drop of oil. It has been sitting a long time and not driven much for several years so I think I will change points, cap, wires and plugs. Not real crazy about the 3 on the tree and I was maybe thinking about swapping that out and putting in an automatic column with a th350. But again the 3 speed works perfect.

06-06-2012, 02:30 PM	#12
MARKDTN Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 2,146	Re: Original 307 engine, do I keep it in or get rid of it? A 307 has the same crankshaft as a 327 by the way. I would run the 307 until you have time and inclination to do the 5.3 swap. __________________ '83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project

06-07-2012, 10:02 AM	#14
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Original 307 engine, do I keep it in or get rid of it? My Daddy used to tell me "Son, if it aint broke, don't fix it till it is" He had some pretty profound advice. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"



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