building on a budget

[77 runner]

i have a 77 swb 350 350 combo truck this thing was pulled out of the salvage yard i was told she used to have a six in her but now she runs flat tops headers cam and dual exhaust the timing is hard to get right because of the pistons or so iv been told im married and cant build the truck the way i would like to so any one who has built one of these trucks on a tight budget to be driven every day talk to me i want something to look good and be dependable and fun to drive but i have never built a truck and dont know where to begin pat41@tcworks.com

[77runner]

sorry fellas my email is actually pat41@tcworks.net

[Rick]

Hi,  I've owned an '77 lwb, 350, auto.  Your pistons won't throw off the timing, a worn timing chain and sprockets or a worn distributer/cam gear will.  Top-dead-center is top-dead-center without regard to thier height.  Anything that allows a engine to breath (air flow) is generally good.  Headers and dual exhaust are the cheapest route.  Next I'd replace the air cleaner with a high quality filter than port and polish the heads, this is very inexpensive if you are carefull.  Now to step one: there is both a Chillton's and Haynes manual available for that truck.  Buy Both!  Check all your systems starting with the brakes than suspension.  The cheapest insurance when buying a new vehicle is in my opinion to change all the fluids than watch them like a hawk.  Maintenance keeps these trucks on the road and fun to drive.  Good luck, Rick

[Creeper]

It sounds like you have a great little trk. Shortbox chevs are popular and hold their value no matter what year. As for the timing, nothing to do with piston type, what duration is the cam..? maybe it is too "choppy" for the application. None the less, if you are on a budget, lean away from engine mods. Simple stuff such as exhaust or air clnrs are fine, but if you get into the internal stuff "Ka-ching".
A stock 350 is dependable and cheap to fix when need be, plus you can get some good mpg which is good if she is a daily drvr. If you have to do the body, try to keep away from jobber panels, if your budget allows you. They fit terrible and are of low quality.
Scour the wrecking yards, 73-80 parts are all interchangeable and are cheap. Good luck.

[1979blazer]

hey thats great

Edited by: 1979blazer at: 4/21/04 11:48 pm

[shes a 77]

hey guys thanks for all the tips im going to put all of them to use maybe you can help me with something else to she developed a problem last week thats got me stumped when you start the truck it starts fine the idle is a little sluggish or rich (i think) and when you drive her easy she does ok but when you gas it phwump!!!tow// out the headers so tday i changed the plugs/wires/cap/rotor/coil/fuelpump/fuelfilter and thermostat(160)and gues what? phwump pow man that sucks iv got a air cleaner set up that i question it is a old fashioned blower looking scoop with a k/n filter thats no bigger around than a coffe can the scoop is sealed to thers no opening on the back could this be my problem?maybe to small for the 600 edlebrock or maybe affecting the fuel mixture im no mechanic {i wish i was)so any of your thoughts wil be extremely appreciated thanks in advance

[1979blazer]

excellent

Edited by: 1979blazer at: 4/21/04 11:49 pm

[mysticclam]

Could it be a bad accelerator pump?

[R2R]

Hey 77 runner;
      Have you thought about going back to a stock or aluminuim intake, orignail  GM equipment?? Quad-jet get alot of bad comments made about them but they have always worked great for me. If you get a reliable carb. rebuilder and  get it fixed right it will last a long time and give you good service. I don`t know what your budget it but there resonable.