My 70 has been leaking oil from both the front and rear seals since I bought it a couple months ago. As my local shop was replacing the main seals, they further they got into the engine (a 350), the worse things looked. My Father-In-Law is an engine guy, and he showed me some of the parts. Anyway, his recommendation was to get a new motor. He has a different shop he goes to for engines, someone who he really trusts, and we are headed down that path now.

The plan is for the current block to be reused and turned into a 383. My Father-In-Law recommended a 252 (?) cam. There are a couple other decisions to make. My goal for this truck is for it to be a reliable family truck, not a show piece, not a racer. Obviously I'm spending more money early than I really wanted to, but that's the breaks with a 34 year old vehicle. Still, the focus is on dependable and reliable now, and within a reasonable budget. This exercise is going to take money out of our kitchen remodel fund, unfortunately.

Two questions came up: intake, and headers. I'm very much inclined to stick with the current intake and headers. On the headers, I don't want to spend money on the engine aesthetics, or cause changes to the rest of the exhaust (which is relatively new). On the intake, it has what is probably the original 4 barrel QuadraJet, and if going to an aluminum intake doesn't really buy me much, I'd just as soon pass on that too.

I trust my Father-In-Law on all this; I'm just looking for good questions to ask.

Thanks for any input you may have!

Why a 383? seems to me a 350 stock would be plenty for what you have in mind. If you go 383 then change the intake, carb and headers and a few other things.

I asked that question, sort of. I said I would be perfectly happy with a 350, but the way it was presented to me, it sounded like reboring (?) the cyclinders was not going to cost much. I wouldn't ~mind~ the extra low-end torque at a reasonable price, as long as it doesn't throw other things out of balance. Sounds like you think that is the case, by requiring new carb, intake, and headers.

Just my opinion does not mean it is right!

That's true, but thanks for offering it. There will be decisions made tomorrow. My Father-In-Law is trying to talk me into the better headers, so I will probably go for those.

Thanks Again! :thumbsup:

The 383 is a great upgrade but if you do it with the cheap chinese parts (eagle and scat cast crank) you could wind up with problems. I'm not saying anything bad about eagle or scat...just use the forged product not the cast. On the headers use the dynomax ceramic coated headers, Jegs has them for about $230, they look great, won't rust, and cut underhood heat
George