My research had told me I had a forged crank. I agree, moving up to L79 specs requires the same. I wouldn't trust a cast crank on that horsepower range. I don't use it at that level very often, but occasionally getting on the freeway is fun to open it up a bit.
Usually, I just keep a nice, sedate purr. Shifting from 2nd to 3rd around 15-20 mph, and from 3rd to 4th around 30-40 mph. Plenty of power in an old 327 for my C10. But since I'm rebuilding and my research shows this engine has all the right goodies to upgrade to the higher performance of the L79, I figure "why not?" It's still a factory spec configuration. :-)
One thing I love about these old trucks, they talk to us. A modern vehicle won't tell you it's dying, it just goes out. It might throw a light, but it won't talk to you like these old trucks do.
