Hey F100Panel, I would try to adapt a Turbo 400 Trans w/od and rebuild that tough ole' 302 inline six. If you balance it and put a manifold for a 4bbl ( 600 cfm Holley ) or 2 deuces it will have more torque than any sbc. I have two 350s and they run super smooth and strong. In fact I'm selling one in a bout a week ( I'm the second owner ) as I am putting in a modified 250 six with an offy manifold and Holley carb. Those 302s were originally built for the military. Its not a 270 bored though based on that engine. I would keep that motor and put MSD on it with a few mods and you can plow snow as long as you want. Small blocks don't put their top torque on the bottom end like an inline six does, especially one that large. I would have the block decked like mine and the head milled about .030-.040. They took .030 off mine. A 203 transfer case or one from a military deuce and a half will work just fine. SBC are everywhere and common but 302 inlines aren't and are nostalgic and built like an IH rig. BTW, that 345 will outpull a stock 350 ( yawn ), anytime. They have high nickel heads and block which makes them very hard. The only weakness was the lifters which I had no trouble with, but excessive wear was due to lack of changing the oil. With sythetics no problem. Taken care of they last forever. There are special cams, manifold for the 345 and other parts available for them. Do the same tricks to them as any other like what I mentioned and you will not be disapointed. Some porting and polishing and etc. Some were bolted to a 727 Torqueflite trans from Chrysler. A good tranny. Had 12 IH rigs and love them. Can't wait to be stovebolting here real soon.
