The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop your thoughts?

There is nothing wrong with using a 2 bolt main block. The 4 bolts are stronger but unless your doing a lot of heavy pulling or some racing the 2 bolt will stand up fine. The earlier blocks like your 72' have some advantages in older trucks. First they have a mechanical full pump, and already have most of your mounts. They do have the old 2 peice rear main seal, there are kits to change these out if you want. The 2 piece mains can be changed without pulling the transmission though. For heads you might want to up grade to a set of 90's era vortek, they breathe better and make more power with lower compression pistions(9 to 1 or so). There are aftermarket intake manifolds that work with these heads,Edelbrock and Holley both offer good products. A Holley street advenger Carb makes power right from the box and is trouble free. A good mid range hydraulic cam and lifters will help, remember torque moves your truck. Spend a little more and have the rotating mass balanced, it free's up power and increases engine life. Don't short yourself on ignition, a DUI distributor can make a lot of power and extend you fuel mileage and plug life. If you do the major assembly your self and work with a good machine shop you can keep your costs down. I have built a few for around $1500.00, thats with me having the block and heads and shopping around for parts. Good Luck.