My 307 vette mistake
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 3
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From: Lake Wylie sc
My 307 vette mistake
I just bought a 1971 c3 project car for my grandsons and i. I was told the engine was not original and was a 327. That did not bother me as it is not intended to be a high end car. And 327 a great engine. . As i started researching parts like headers which need replacing right away, i learned the engine in fact is anon desirable 307. Eventually i want to find a correct 350/270 that came in it. All of this said, the 307 runs and i want to get it on the road to start the evaluation. Will intakes, headers etc properly bolt up on both so i dont spend bad money now?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
They were no match for my 67 rs/ss 350 4 sp
http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/chevrolet_usa/camaro_1gen/camaro_1gen_coupe_z28/1968.html
Last edited by gkull; Oct 13, 2017 at 09:29 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 968
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From: Lighthouse Point FL
Another dreamer repeating urban myths. 302 with 290 hp doing over 15 second quarter miles is not a hot rod.
They were no match for my 67 rs/ss 350 4 sp
http://www.automobile-catalog.com/ma..._z28/1968.html
They were no match for my 67 rs/ss 350 4 sp
http://www.automobile-catalog.com/ma..._z28/1968.html
This site has actual times and says .05 sec difference between ‘67 SS350 and Z28.
http://roadtests.tripod.com
Last edited by maj75; Oct 13, 2017 at 10:26 PM.
Race Director
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For the grandsons the 307 will be fine. It's a small bore 327 or a long stroke 283. I like it better than a 305. Everything bolts on and from the outside 99% of people will never know the difference. Have fun with it and when you decide to do a 350 or 383 later on...everything bolts on.
I remember a '67 Camaro way back when that ran high 12's with a 307 and GM iron heads. Just think of all the 5.0 (302 cubes) Mustangs out there....they run 12's with very little work. Similar weight.
I had a buddy who put one in a 260Z with a 5 speed. Little sucker nudged 25 MPG in his commute and ran pretty darn stout.
JIM
I remember a '67 Camaro way back when that ran high 12's with a 307 and GM iron heads. Just think of all the 5.0 (302 cubes) Mustangs out there....they run 12's with very little work. Similar weight.
I had a buddy who put one in a 260Z with a 5 speed. Little sucker nudged 25 MPG in his commute and ran pretty darn stout.
JIM
Last edited by 427Hotrod; Oct 13, 2017 at 11:26 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 42
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From: Dushore Pennsylvania
If you're not planning to go hot'n'heavy at the track, I would just tune up that 307 and spend some quality time with the grandsons.
I have a '75. That was the year they tuned up their 350 engines all the way up to a blistering 165hp!
It is still a fun car to drive, has the ability to go well above legal posted limits, and still gets there quickly.
When we get the paint and interior done it will be a real looker. And my grandson already thinks that Poppy's car is the best!!! Make it about your grandsons and don't waste precious time trying to catch up or keep up with the Jones.
Enjoy it and the family while you can.
I have a '75. That was the year they tuned up their 350 engines all the way up to a blistering 165hp!
It is still a fun car to drive, has the ability to go well above legal posted limits, and still gets there quickly.
When we get the paint and interior done it will be a real looker. And my grandson already thinks that Poppy's car is the best!!! Make it about your grandsons and don't waste precious time trying to catch up or keep up with the Jones.
Enjoy it and the family while you can.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
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From: new iberia la
If you're not planning to go hot'n'heavy at the track, I would just tune up that 307 and spend some quality time with the grandsons.
I have a '75. That was the year they tuned up their 350 engines all the way up to a blistering 165hp!
It is still a fun car to drive, has the ability to go well above legal posted limits, and still gets there quickly.
When we get the paint and interior done it will be a real looker. And my grandson already thinks that Poppy's car is the best!!! Make it about your grandsons and don't waste precious time trying to catch up or keep up with the Jones.
Enjoy it and the family while you can.
I have a '75. That was the year they tuned up their 350 engines all the way up to a blistering 165hp!
It is still a fun car to drive, has the ability to go well above legal posted limits, and still gets there quickly.
When we get the paint and interior done it will be a real looker. And my grandson already thinks that Poppy's car is the best!!! Make it about your grandsons and don't waste precious time trying to catch up or keep up with the Jones.
Enjoy it and the family while you can.
priorities, my friend ...you gotta have priorities 
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Lake Wylie sc
Thanks for the advice. It indeed is about the boys and wanting to pass along a love of cars that I enjoy myself. I ended up with the same 1965 GTO I rode in at age 8. It has been a source of great pleasure. I think i have already some what succeded in making them car guys . They love to work with Papa on it. Thanks for the technical advice. Not wanting to make a track car out of it.confident now I can spend good money on quality parts that will transfer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Another dreamer repeating urban myths. 302 with 290 hp doing over 15 second quarter miles is not a hot rod.
They were no match for my 67 rs/ss 350 4 sp
http://www.automobile-catalog.com/ma..._z28/1968.html
They were no match for my 67 rs/ss 350 4 sp
http://www.automobile-catalog.com/ma..._z28/1968.html
Net
Gross
Cheaper Insurance rating
Those little Z-28, 302s had more than 290 horse. They were screamers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,454
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Holy crap! What nonsense!
A SBC V8 of just about any size will and can make great HP: 283/302/307/327/383 etc. There are NOT significant difference in power potential between a 327 and 350 V8 and the same between a 350 and 383,depending how they are built....on the street...a 350 versus a 406..now you are starting to talk a gap. I have to chuckle when I see the constant drone about about the "BIG" power difference between a built 350 and a stroker 383...again on the street...NOPE.
A SBC V8 of just about any size will and can make great HP: 283/302/307/327/383 etc. There are NOT significant difference in power potential between a 327 and 350 V8 and the same between a 350 and 383,depending how they are built....on the street...a 350 versus a 406..now you are starting to talk a gap. I have to chuckle when I see the constant drone about about the "BIG" power difference between a built 350 and a stroker 383...again on the street...NOPE.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Oct 14, 2017 at 08:48 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,278
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 3gs,
Welcome!
First Post AND a 71!!!
Nice.
I think you'll find that you made a good choice with a 71 sb.
They're still a pretty simple car and will likely be a good means for you to help your grandsons learn about working on old cars.
You mentioned the engine situation… but what the rest of the car like?
Is it complete and solid enough that they'll be able to see the pleasure that working on an old car can be without having it turn into the struggle that rust, needy cars can be?
I hope so!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Welcome!
First Post AND a 71!!!
Nice.
I think you'll find that you made a good choice with a 71 sb.
They're still a pretty simple car and will likely be a good means for you to help your grandsons learn about working on old cars.
You mentioned the engine situation… but what the rest of the car like?
Is it complete and solid enough that they'll be able to see the pleasure that working on an old car can be without having it turn into the struggle that rust, needy cars can be?
I hope so!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Lake Wylie sc
Yes the reason I bought it is because it is a complete car. Been setting in a barn for 15 years. Needs new tires,headers rusted out and exhaust and then road worthy. Runs now....just loud. And don't want to burn up valves. Lots of things to fix like headlight doors etc. That's the fun and purpose. I feel confident i.will get my money back. But if not priceless time with boys.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 252
A SBC is a SBC. Nothing really wrong with the 307 that a camshaft change can't fix.
307's got a bad rap not only because of the low hp but because the factory decided to not harden the camshaft for some reason. When oils started being formulated with less zink in the late 70's due to impacting catalytic converters the 307 camshafts started to fail. Since your 307 is still alive you might assume it had a cam change sometime in the past (?) but might be worth changing to a different one as long as you are going to wrench on it anyway.
the 307s 3.875" bore supports performance 1.94/1.6 heads and all other go-fast parts bolt on as normal. Roughly speaking, 58-62cc heads and a nice street camshaft will give it a respectable 300 hp
307's got a bad rap not only because of the low hp but because the factory decided to not harden the camshaft for some reason. When oils started being formulated with less zink in the late 70's due to impacting catalytic converters the 307 camshafts started to fail. Since your 307 is still alive you might assume it had a cam change sometime in the past (?) but might be worth changing to a different one as long as you are going to wrench on it anyway.
the 307s 3.875" bore supports performance 1.94/1.6 heads and all other go-fast parts bolt on as normal. Roughly speaking, 58-62cc heads and a nice street camshaft will give it a respectable 300 hp
Last edited by Dynra Rockets; Oct 14, 2017 at 10:05 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
That site isn’t actual times, they are calculated...
This site has actual times and says .05 sec difference between ‘67 SS350 and Z28.
http://roadtests.tripod.com
This site has actual times and says .05 sec difference between ‘67 SS350 and Z28.
http://roadtests.tripod.com
They show higher powered motors with marginal time improvement. Do you know why? I drove a lot of these cars and was around them when they were relatively new. Tire technology was the biggest thing holding back powerful cars
If you wanted a fast camaro back in the day you bought the 396 or 350. It is the same myth with the Mustang crowd and the Boss 302. Just a little novelty to pass the production rules to allow them to be raced in the production classes.
To the poster. It is very sad and nearly criminal to put some junkyard 307 in a vette. They can use any gen 1 parts. I owned a 66 impala with a 307 and glide tranny it was a cruiser car
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Trick flow makes a nice 1.94 head but do you really wanna sink money in it? Just drive it they wont know the difference between that and a 350..its just a cool vette they can drive
sorry guys...love the 302, 289 all that but they were friggin slugs even with gears drove and restored too many of those. 0 torque
cool? yes. Watch him run that one import..pulls ahead slightly in 1st but has to wind it to the moon. On the st blah...
sorry guys...love the 302, 289 all that but they were friggin slugs even with gears drove and restored too many of those. 0 torque
cool? yes. Watch him run that one import..pulls ahead slightly in 1st but has to wind it to the moon. On the st blah...
Last edited by cv67; Oct 14, 2017 at 01:42 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Agree with not much difference to a point.
HS buddy had a 68 chevelle with a 307. He was broke so couldnt do much. Set of headers, a cam the usual stuff it ran pretty good for what it it was. Later added a set of "wrong" heads it got up and went though once he stuck a converter & a used set of gears in it.
If you get the itch throw a mild HFT cam in, some 113s or the like..see a lot reman on ebay for $500, headers it will really wake up for cheap .
Used intakes are dirt cheap also no reason to buy them new unless the threads are boogered or someone butchered them with a die grinder
HS buddy had a 68 chevelle with a 307. He was broke so couldnt do much. Set of headers, a cam the usual stuff it ran pretty good for what it it was. Later added a set of "wrong" heads it got up and went though once he stuck a converter & a used set of gears in it.
If you get the itch throw a mild HFT cam in, some 113s or the like..see a lot reman on ebay for $500, headers it will really wake up for cheap .
Used intakes are dirt cheap also no reason to buy them new unless the threads are boogered or someone butchered them with a die grinder
Last edited by cv67; Oct 14, 2017 at 01:47 PM.