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  1. GTX63

    Value of a 400/402 big block?

    I bought a 1965 Caprice with one of the first 396 engines. Factory holley carb and solid lifters that came in the 425 hp motor but this one was supposedly, and listed, as the 325 hp engine. You could purchase a Chevy full size sedan with the 396/402 from 1965 thru 1972.
  2. GTX63

    Value of a 400/402 big block?

    One of the fastest street cars I ever rode in was a 69 Chevelle with a 396/402. This was in the mid 80s. It pulled the front wheels at will and was a legit daily driver. Times were different. I'd have no problem snagging one for a squarebody and they are as easy to work on as any Gen 1 small block.
  3. GTX63

    Wiring harness options

    If you have the room and an understanding wife and neighbors, a donor is priceless. I recently pulled the underhood wiring from a donor 79 for a butchered 83. Everything worked out just fine. I cannot count the number of times I needed a part, and the options were A. immediately pull it off the...
  4. GTX63

    Pulling all the smog stuff

    Depended on the truck. Sometimes less noisy, maybe a bit more pep. Pre catalytic converter, it didn't make an iota of difference. The computer on a 1987 is pretty simple minded. They didn't store many trouble codes . I just had a heck of a time trying to locate a block off plate for an odd...
  5. GTX63

    Gauge cluster lighting, redux

    I stuck with the super bright leds in just plain old white. Super easy on the eyes, and compared to the old factory bulbs it was like holding a lighter up the speedometer.
  6. GTX63

    1980 SBC 350 w/Quadrajet Carb

    My first question is why did the previous owner stop driving it? If for the sake of discussion, there were no mechanical issues when they parked it 20 years ago, things happen. Rings and valves can stick, needles and seats gum up, floats fail, etc. Compression may be low and mislead some to...
  7. GTX63

    Mpg to expect on an '82 C20 3+3, 350?

    My late model 2500 Silverado gets 11mpg unloaded. It is laden with whistles, bells and ticklies. If it quits while I am on the road, well, I am stuck and the repair isn't going to be cheap. If my Squarebody dies, 90% of the needed parts will be stored in the glovebox or behind the seat, ie coil...
  8. GTX63

    Mpg to expect on an '82 C20 3+3, 350?

    If your truck is a daily driver that doesn't require polishing, pampering and high end maintenance, the gas mileage isn't such a bad thing. Not when compared to say a 10 year old 30k truck that needs a scan tool and modules, sensors and certified techs to make repairs, for 2 more mpgs. My 74 C10...
  9. GTX63

    Who sells the best fitting dash pad. Time for a new one

    I have used several of the Coverlays. Like most or all of the dash "inserts" the final fit takes some time. The driver's side verticle end along the amp and clock seems to pull away as it goes toward the bottom, like the top was manufactured an 1/8" too narrow. It hasn't been anything I would...
  10. GTX63

    Custom ignition switch not on column

    Guy traded me a Scottdale that had an engine fire (Bulkhead connecter was a blob) and probably a dozen owners with no comprehension of automotive wiring. It was a butcher job under the hood. Key switch did not work, so the previous owner mounted a toggle switch below the headlight switch for...
  11. GTX63

    5.7nhigh millage what oil do you use?

    When I bring a high mileage squarebody home, or get one that has been sitting for an extended period, I use 15 W 40. The oil in the ground hasn't changed, but the refining has. The old flat tappet Chevy is the same; newer modern engines are not. Different metals, tolerances and requirements. I...
  12. GTX63

    305 Swap To ???

    Cost. Vortec 350s can be bought in my area for a decent price because LS is the sexy beast everyone wants. A Vortec bolts up to the transmission just the same as a Gen1 motor. I have dropped them in and had them running in the same time as an old timey 350. Exhaust and intake manifolds are...
  13. GTX63

    Should I trade for a Square?

    I'd buy a Vortec with 300k if it sounded and ran decent and the price was cheap. I also know that anything above about 250k on 4.8 is bonus time, and while I believe Vortecs are easily good for more, I wouldn't make any promises. Around me, I wouldn't get anymore than around $3500 for even a...
  14. GTX63

    Cylinder head gasket replacement job

    Yes, both sending units will spin into the head but they have different resistance. I have a 74 with a late model sending unit and it reads very low.
  15. GTX63

    Getting quotes for paint/body work

    I do Squarebody driver quality restorations. That means they are built and intended to be parked outside, driven regularly and maintained as needed. I try to get them back on the road, not in the showroom. So, unless the truck was an odd or rare original color, I simply buy single stage base in...
  16. GTX63

    Cylinder head gasket replacement job

    Follow a list of trouble shooters to confirm you have a bad head gasket. Lots of simple problems were missed with complicated repairs. If you are certain it is a gasket, O Reillys sells several versions of Head Gasket In A Can (what I call it) that you can pour in the radiator for a guy who...
  17. GTX63

    I guess I give up on the windows

    A quick test to see if the issue may be electrical is to rev up the engine and see if the window speed increases at all.
  18. GTX63

    I guess I give up on the windows

    Post #6 and #7 are where you should probably focus. Yes, electric windows in the 70s and 80s were slower than today's power windows. I know it sounds silly, but life was a half step slower then, and people were content to wait 8-10 seconds for the window cycle to complete before throwing it into...
  19. GTX63

    TH350 To a 700r4 transmission

    For a poor slob on a budget, I had a local old school transmission guy rebuild a 700R4 for me, doing a complete thru and thru, with a new torque converter for $1300. I'd prefer to take 5-7k and spread it lightly from the front bumper to the back.
  20. GTX63

    Cheap chit parts….

    The US government is pushing American manufacturers to crank out more and more EVs, no ifs ands or buts.. The dealers can't sell them, don't want them compared to ICE trucks, and now there is the strike. China already has the jump on EVs, and what will eventually happen, is they will overtake...
  21. GTX63

    Cheap chit parts….

    In days gone by, you could go to the parts store and select an item based on "Economy" "Standard" "Hi Performance" "Heavy Duty" "Commercial". Today the choices are "Chinese Economy" "Chinese Standard" "American assembled with Chinese parts" and "American currently on backorder".
  22. GTX63

    How many gallons can you put in your gas tank?

    I have a 16 gallon tank in my 1980 GMC. It was a different time when commuting long distances wasn't the thing it is today. If you saw a 5 year old truck with 100k for sale you walked away; now we pay 50K for them. But yes, when the pump kicks off at 14 gallons I still smile a bit.
  23. GTX63

    What should I sell engine & tranny for?

    I just sold a 305/350 auto out of a 79 Bonanza for $600. Engine ran, but smoked. It can help with price and questions if you take video of the engine running while still in the truck.
  24. GTX63

    350 to 400 swap... Worth it?

    Both engines being equal, it isn't a night and day difference. More like 10 am to 2 pm. The 400 is a good motor, maybe not quite as durable or forgiving due to the thinner block material. The 400 is also externally balanced, so flexplates/flywheels/balancers do not interchange. Again, if you are...
  25. GTX63

    350 to 400 swap... Worth it?

    Is it worth it? That depends on what it is that you want. Are you trying to shave a few tenths off a quarter mile time or? There was a point in my life where I was trying to claw every 5 HP out of a SBC I could find. Now, I build my motors with dependability and longevity in mind. Most are mild...

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