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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: 1976Scottsdale on December 28, 2006, 03:46:00 PM

Title: Building a strong C-10
Post by: 1976Scottsdale on December 28, 2006, 03:46:00 PM
I have been away from the GM stuff for a few months.  I am getting back in and seem to have come full circle, I now own a 1980 Chevrolet C-10 with a 1981 frame and nose.  I will be building an engine, getting a trans, and maybe a rearend swap.  The truck had a 305/TH400 combo in it.  The guy that gave me the truck needs those, so they are coming out tonight.  I was wondering if a 350 or a 327 would be better for driving(quickly... maybe a weekend run or two) and occasional towing.  Also have a choice of a TH350 or TH350C, which would be best?

Title: Re: Building a strong C-10
Post by: WELD4DAYS on December 28, 2006, 02:59:00 PM
I would go with as many cubic inches as I could get.I would go with the 350 over the 327.Their is a billion parts for the 350 motor.I'm not sure if the two small block can use the same stuff.I think the rods and crank are different.I'm not sure the difference in the two tranny's you listed.I would build a strong turbo 350 with a nice shift kit.Maybe even install a good stall converter.

Title: Re: Building a strong C-10
Post by: 75 C20 on December 28, 2006, 08:39:00 PM
i think if i were u i might lean towards the 327. i have a 350 and so does everybdoy else and there brother hahah.
Quote:
Their is a billion parts for the 350 motor
the parts r easy to come by cuz everybody has one i  mean there great motors- i love mine, but a built 327 would be more unique than everybodys 350 and u could really build a 327 if u want to/can afford 2

Title: Re: Building a strong C-10
Post by: Lt.Del on December 28, 2006, 08:39:00 PM
Boy do I have rcommendations here..

383 stroker.  Throw a 400 ci crank/balancer/flexplate on a 350 and get ready for tons of torque.  Did I mention they call these things stump pullers?  It pulls my 7k lb camper over the blue ridge mountains with no problem. see

The dif b/w the two trans is the th350c has the lockup torque convervter.  I have one.  I flip a switch i put on the dash when travelling on the interstate (or over 50mph steady) and the converter locks up.  It feels like a manual tranny when locked up---no slippage of the torque converter.

A th350c is good if you do a lot of highway miles.  A lot of city driving really wont see benefits of locking the torque converter.    

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

Title: Re: Building a strong C-10
Post by: 1976Scottsdale on December 29, 2006, 12:58:00 AM
The guy that gave me the truck found out that it had a th350 series trans in it and did not want it, so he left it in there.  I have the parts to build a large journal 327(uses 350 bearings) as well as a 1967 327 small journal 11:1 engine(not for this project).  I also had a 350 given to me, so for the sake of making it start, it gets a 350 for now.

Title: 350
Post by: Leadfoot on December 29, 2006, 07:41:00 AM
bigger is better in my opinion,trucks are heavy,torque is a good thing..keep the 383 in mind for later,or even better build a 406 small block for it..I built a 406 for an 84 longbed I had,forged bottom end,ported 2.02 heads,roller rockers,healthy cam etc..  it showed many mustangs and camaros it's tail lights..

Tim

Title: Re: 350
Post by: 1976Scottsdale on December 29, 2006, 09:01:00 AM
Maybe even a 377 de-stroke.:evil  

Title: Re: 350
Post by: VileZambonie on December 29, 2006, 07:57:00 PM
The 350 is definitely more cost effective. A nice engine that is becoming quite rare is the 400. I had a 400 in my 1980 C10 and it kicked everyones :( back then. The 327 is more suited for a lighter car so I would recommend build the 350 since you've got it.

Title: Re: 350
Post by: 1976Scottsdale on January 01, 2007, 09:18:00 PM
Actually got to looking around the parts room and I have enough parts to build both of them.  Also found a 400 in the elderly lady's barn next door.

Title: body
Post by: 1976Scottsdale on January 01, 2007, 11:58:00 PM
How do you swap a 1981 front clip to a 1980 cab?  The frame is an 81 also.

Title: Re: body
Post by: 1976Scottsdale on January 02, 2007, 12:03:00 AM
I also have one other option for an engine.  I know it is not a 454, but how about a 396?  good, bad, otherwise?

Title: Re: body
Post by: roundedline on January 02, 2007, 03:56:00 PM
Check the Tech Pages for links to the frontend conversion.

As for a 396, there is nothing wrong with them at all.

If I had a choice, for a truck that would see towing, I would choice a 350 over a 327.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project