Debating on building that date correct block, heads, crank into a correct 365hp L-76 motor or just buying a 383 stroker crate motor. Cost is about the same. Whatcha think? Correct motor or MORE power?
Yes, I would love the stroker. I also like the idea of rebuilding my 327/365 motor. Would I be throwing my money away doing the 327? If down the road I sold the car would it be worth more or less with correct motor? Also, would I be getting in too deep with the 383 and need to swap out half shafts and u-joints with all the torque a 383 delivers?
Ken, Get the crate motor you are better off. I wouldn't worry about the half shafts and what have you. I am sure you are not going to the track with it every weekend. Everything should hold up back there without any problems. Are you looking at a GM crate motor like the ZZ series?. They are nice motors as you know I have one in my Street Rod actually one of the first of the series (350-345 HP). Runs nice in the '34. It was the perfect motor for my Rod.
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1967 Marlboro Maroon 4spd Coupe 1973 Dark Blue 4spd Coupe w/air, original 25,000 miles 1999 Black C-5 Hatchback Coupe 6spd LS1 1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe eng. code "ZZZ" 350-345hp Chevy Powered! 1970 Black on Black Monte Carlo(FOR SALE)Asking $18k
Nope, thinking of a 440hp, 460tq crate 383. That is my concern with the u-joints and half shafts. I know the TKO 600 and 4.11 posi rear are ok.
Like I said it depends on what you plan to do with all that power Ken. If you are going to beat your car to death you may have some problems. Many of us have swapped motors for a hotter motor over the years. Plenty have installed big blocks where a small block once stood. You know some of these factory small blocks that came in the C-2's were pretty powerfull engines to begin with. I wouldn't go crazy as many have upped the horsepower of their small blocks. Like I said it depends on what you are going to do with the car when done. Are you going to cruise around with it maybe getting into it at times? If so I see no problems but if you plan on taking hole shots at every traffic light and beating the car I would say you may find yourself making changes. If it was me I wouldn't do a thing unless I found myself having to do so.
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1967 Marlboro Maroon 4spd Coupe 1973 Dark Blue 4spd Coupe w/air, original 25,000 miles 1999 Black C-5 Hatchback Coupe 6spd LS1 1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe eng. code "ZZZ" 350-345hp Chevy Powered! 1970 Black on Black Monte Carlo(FOR SALE)Asking $18k
Naw, just burn up my tires once in awhile. No racing. I have seen pics of twisted half shafts and u-joints that broke causing serious damage. I don't want that to happen to me.
Ken, If you are like me I don't like to make more work for myself then I need to at my age at this point in my life. I have too much to deal with now with other issues . I was telling Mr. Muffler a forum member not too long ago that at age 58 I think back at how I found time to do some of the things I did in the past like when I started building my Street Rod back in '91 in my early forties. I don't think I could take on a project like that again today. As in your case as I have mentioned if it was me I would have a wait and see attitude. You may not need to do that extra work requiring your time to the rear end of your car. If you have plenty of time and are looking for something to do that is a different story. Go for it to keep yourself busy I would say.
-- Edited by ffas23 at 08:19, 2009-03-06
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1967 Marlboro Maroon 4spd Coupe 1973 Dark Blue 4spd Coupe w/air, original 25,000 miles 1999 Black C-5 Hatchback Coupe 6spd LS1 1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe eng. code "ZZZ" 350-345hp Chevy Powered! 1970 Black on Black Monte Carlo(FOR SALE)Asking $18k
Fred, I turned 60 last month and I don't do much other than work and lately that's been 6 days a week. I come home and do about 45 minutes of exercising, go on my computer, have a glass or two of wine, eat dinner, watch some TV and off to bed. I work from 6:30am to 3:00pm so I get up at 5:30am. I am too beat to do anything except weekends and that time is doing chores, helping my son with his truck and dirt bike, and maybe a few minutes to do something to the corvette. Now I look at the economy with both my kids living at home working part time with no medical benefits and they can't afford to pay medical insurance so I work overtime to pay their bills. I wanted to retire at 62 but with they way the economy is, my investments are way down, I will most likely work until 65. AND that's if I can get rid of my 19 year old son and 22 year old daughter.
