Need more information in order to help you make a good intelligent decision. Lets take a look at what we know and don’t know so far.
We know
1. Your truck originally had or has a 350
We need to know
A. Is this 350 still in the truck?
B. Dose the 350 still run?
C. If you still have the 350 do you have all it’s accessories and are they still functional?
D. If the 350 dose not run is it still a good core?
We know
You have a line on a good 366 for $1500
We know need to know.
A. What comes with the 366 dose it come with accessories?
B. What type of shape is your exhaust in? Can it just be bolted right to another small block? Would it be easily altered to fit the big block or dose it all need to be replaced anyway.
C. What is the value of the 350 if you still have it? Many large trucks came with sought after motor that had such things as 4 bolt mains, steel crankshafts, high nickel content castings, and good flowing heads. You really need to know what parts you have and what condition they are in, like has the crank ever been turned, dose it need to be turned or will it polish out. I bring up the value of the 350 for two reasons 1. If you decide to go with the 366 the 350 could be good trading stock to off set the cost. 2. If you decide to go the way of a 383 stroker the block and heads could be a good starting point and if it has a steel crank the crank could be used as trading stock.
From what is known now if you have a 350 that is a good core and a good running 307 witch IMHO I don’t think you would like very much but you could use it to keep the truck on the road while you rebuilt the 350 possibly for more power and torque than it had stock or even step up and have a stroker kit put in it for that 383. But The first step to finding good options is to find out what exactly it is that you have.
Well, this is partially a non-issue for now, as the money I was intending to use to fix/partially restore the truck right now, is getting ready to be "re-distributed" towards new siding on the house (about $8.5K). But to answer the q's: the 350 that IS in the truck IS running and driveable, but it is leaking around the valve guides and somewhat lacking on the compression. All accessories are there (alternator). The truck is boosted brakes and armstrong steering equipped. The 366 DID have all accessories and exhaust, including the bellhousing and mounts (wasn't sure if they'd be needed or not. I don't think for now that I'm going to put the 307 in unless I have no other choice as I don't want to go down in power,... The current exhaust is mostly rotted off, so it will need to be re-done anyway. The truck will be used to haul firewood and Hay so speed isn't an issue (55-60mph necessary) but low-end power will be.
I now have a different opportunity with this truck that I need an educated opinion on: I am acquiring a '65 GMC 4000 for $300.00, that currently is not running due to rat-eaten spark plug wires. It is largely rusted beyond repair, BUT is has a functioning Hoist, good steel stake sides, Air Brakes and a solid V-6/5speed combo. I have three questions for you guys:
1. Can the steering rack off of the '65 4000 be readily swapped into the '69 C50? Would I lose any appreciable load capacity? It is a power steering rack and that would be nice if the wife has to use the truck, not that she isn't muscle equipped, LOL.
2. Would I need an adapter or different bell housing to mate the 350 (or 383) to the 5-speed tranny? I'd like to have 2 more gears that the 5 speed would give over the truck's current 4spd/split rear combo.
3, How difficult would it be to change from the current boosted brake setup to the airbrake setup (with all function parts in-hand)?
4. Sorry, I thought another question, Would it be easier find chevy style mounting brackets for the V6 equipped Hyd Pump and Air compresor, OR would I be money and time ahead to just swap the Good running V6/5spd combo into the Chevy? I have no idea of the displacement, but it ran great 6 months ago (neighbor's truck) before the rats consumed the electrical wires and has always pulled the truck with authority.
I apologize for the litany list of questions, but I'd rather learn from other's mistakes/first hand knowledge, and do it the right way the first time if possible. Thanks again for all of the replies and assistance.
-Bryan
