restoration

Discussion in 'General Chevy & GMC Pickups Talk' started by Brew, Jan 2, 2004.

  1. Brew

    Brew Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2003
    Messages:
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    Location:
    Redlands USA
    Hi gentlemen,
    I am new to the forum with a new project, a 57 GMC suburban pickup.I need lots of help and advise,let me give you a little imput on the truck.It has been in storage for 30 years, it has most of the parts in tact but I do not have the origanal drivetrain. It has a 400 400 pontiac combo,I am thinking small block chevy combo may be better? Iwould like your imput.
    Thanks,
    Brew:7
     
  2. smoov330

    smoov330 Member

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    Location:
    Peotone USA
    Depending on the year of the 400 pontiac motor it could be pretty kick ass.How good of a install is it?
     
  3. Brew

    Brew Member

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    Dec 30, 2003
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    Location:
    Redlands USA
    >Depending on the year of the 400 pontiac motor it could be
    >pretty kick ass.How good of a install is it?
    well, Itraced the numbers to a 69 GRANDPRIX drivetrain,what do you think, it could be torquee but can you buy bolt ons. The motor mounts are shotty workmanship, but I could fix that easy enough.
    Talk soon, Brew
     
  4. VELCRO

    VELCRO Member

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    Location:
    OCALA USA
    In my opinion, the small block Chevy is the way to go. I have a '58 1/2 ton, swb, step side, it is getting a Chevy 350/350 package. After market parts are readily available and at afordable prices for the 350. Good luck on your project.
     
  5. cowboy

    cowboy Member

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    I would run the 400/400 combo.
    cowboy
     
  6. Nic_Rebel450CA

    Nic_Rebel450CA Member

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    Dec 23, 2003
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    Location:
    Sacramento U.S.A.
    Do you need money? I dont know about where you are located, but here in Sac, CA, you could sell that 400ci, buy a nice 350ci, and still have some good money left over. Especially if you clean up and/or rebuild the 400ci before selling it.

    You have to think gears too. If you have low gears (like 4.10s or lower) then you are going to have problems with fuel consumption at freeway speeds. A resolution would be to change the gears to 3.60s or so. If you do not have some good bottom-end torque, your off-the-line performance is really going to suffer. However, I must say that my 350 in my truck at 4200rpm sounds pretty nice on the freeway. :7 (not that I plan to keep it that way, however)
     
  7. Brew

    Brew Member

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    Dec 30, 2003
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    Location:
    Redlands USA
    Hey Man,
    I appreciate the imput , I think we are on the same track as far as the chevy combo . Do you think the trans. will bolt to the small block or is it set up only for the pontiac motor. I was thinking of getting a complete drivetrain so I wouldn't have to worry about any sizing up problems.
    Thanks , Brew
     
  8. cowboy

    cowboy Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2001
    Messages:
    382
    the tranny won't bolt up it has a different bolt pattern. Buick old and pontiac have the same bolt pattern and chevy has a different one.
    jegs as adapter plates to bolt a B.O.P. trans to chevy engine.
    cowboy.
     

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