Cheech669

Ok so I have a 77 with the l48 and the motor refused to move so was taken apart to find out why and the block needs help. Cylinder walls are all rusted as more water then oil came out of the pan.


So I would like some suggestions as what to do. I've always driven mustangs and this is my first vette. Being a ford guy I've never researched 350 and all their glory.

Should I scrap the block and go restomod? I am mixed on this one having owned may fuel injected cars with sensors and computers that love breaking down.

Should I rebuild and stroke?

Should I get a crate?

I want an overdrive so keeping numbers matching isn't a huge deal for me, but it is all numbers matching at the moment.

If I did want numbers matching though could the trans be rebuilt into an od?
If I go for a rebuild what are the best parts to get for hp?

My daughter is restoring my vette in her high school class and I couldn't be prouder but they don't do rebuilding in the class just pull and replace. I have no problem sending the motor out to be rebuilt.

I was expecting this car to cost me money so it has a health budget.

I have pictures of the car in my profile somewhere (not computer/forum savvy). Please look and help.
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jb78L-82

Ok Ill take a stab...based on what you have described and want, you will needs lots of budget....

L-48...would not be worried about numbers matching since it is a base motor car...383 stroker the whole way....5-6K to have built...cheap crate motor $3-4K with moderate components

Transmission-I am assuming it is an auto....The auto trans guys can chime in but would not rebuild the turbo 350 trans..700R4 with OD....Guessing-2-3K?

Paint-10K?

Interior need to be replaced? 3K?

probably need to have the whole front and rear suspensions upgraded with new parts? 2-3K

With the exception of the paint, all the other estimates are parts only..no labor.

Ball park-$25K Unfortunately, you can probably pick up a mid 70's C3 for much less in great condition..

Torqued Off

I say go 383 with a new GM block. Allows you to pick some good heads, like AFR, cams, roller rockers, and intake manifold. Torquey and sweet. As for transmission, I like old school 4-speed with all its crudeness and simplicity.

Build the car you have....buying another one just is another starting point.

But there a million different ideas...pick the one you like.

Cheech669

I'm not going with an other car, this is the car I'm restoring. The car does deserve a second chance on life as the frame and birdcage are immaculate.

I was debating 454 but too many other things needed to get that done so I'd rather keep a sb in it.

Interior is nice and suspension was already done by last owner. Last owner lost interest in it.

It is auto and I bought auto cause arthritis has taken away my clutch ankle.

I would like to have some great power coming out of it. I have a mustang with roughly 360hp and a dakota rt pushing close to 325. The 180hp 350 just seems too weak for me.

So let's say I want this vette to have more power then my mustang and truck.

I was reading that the 200r4 is easier to replace the th350 then the 700.

Torqued Off

Glad you want to keep the 77 you have. I bought a good 77 and then did a complete body off restoration on it. It will cost money, but you can build the car you want. I started with similar ideas, including big block, but as you said, it was just too much change. I won't go into the whole story, but I started building a 383 in a Summit / GM rebuilt block. With that displacement, and some good heads you can have a fun motor. I ended up buying a GM ZZ4 short block (350 c.i.), and putting all the aforementioned parts on it. Its a strong motor when you get the RPM up, and I have come to enjoy the NASCAR sound of a screaming SBC.

If I was starting over, I would buy a Dart SHP block and build a solid 406 cubic inch motor, AFR heads, torque cam and all the rest good stuff. You hear HP and Torque numbers are all over the place, but I think it is safe to say it is on high end of what a SBC can delivery, without jeopardizing street reliability. That's what I would do.

As for transmission, I have no advice given you want automatic. I am a manual transmission type of guy.

Cheech669

I've always hated automatic but I had to buy my truck auto as the arthritis was already causing me issues with my mustang. I've put the mustang up for sale to help my budget. I'll look into the dart blocks for sure.

What cam and heads are suggested? I know to go roller cam and forged pistons. I'm realy going to miss my shifting.

derekderek

there is a chevy dealer in Virginia sells new crate engines for 1700 free shipping. you can find them on ebay. you can also buy rebuilt short blocks all over the place for 1k or so then do your own cam, heads, etc. it would cost more to redo that waterlogged boat anchor you pulled out. and I think you already know no 3 speed auto can be made into an OD unit. where is home?

Cheech669

Ya that 3 to 4 in a th350 was more of a pipe dream, but if I didn't ask it'd be a define no.

Thanks for the advice. I'll call around a bit tomorrow and get quotes on rebuilding and crates.

I'm located North of Toronto in Canada.

I like your prices down south. Up here I know of a place to rebuild for around 3500 and crates tend to run you about the same. I did import a new transmission for my dakota that came from arizona for a little more then rebuilding my bad one. So a little difference in price will get me buying crate with warranty.

Any chime in on heads and cam to get will be helpful.

Cheech669

I got a 383 stroker built just under 445 hp and 470 tq. Getting 200r4 built to handle the power and so it's more of direct bolt-in trany. Going 3" ss exhaust straight back. Will be putting up pictures to my profile shortly.

Dynra Rockets

This screams junkyard LS and 4 speed auto. With a 77 there is no real reason to stay Gen I SBC. Get a 6.0/trans out of a truck and enjoy.

lvmyvt76

hey Cheech669, where are you located??

Cheech669

I am so sick of stupid axx computers failing in cars that I went old school and am keeping it that way. Give me a carb that I can adjust as I need fit over a computer telling me how it has to be. I've owned too many vehicles with sensor failures a canyon tps sensor goes so they have to replace the whole throttle body and reprogram the computer so it will start. Can only be preformed by the stealership $800 here in the great white north.

OLD SCHOOL!!! Gets a thumbs up from me.

I'm in Canada. Just north of Toronto.

lionelhutz

Go Side pipes.

A junkyard LS with a cam swap would have worked great in the car. You could have got your daughter into learning EFI.

Are you talking towards Barrie or NE towards say Port Perry or NW towards say Orangeville?

lvmyvt76

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
beautiful country up there, but you know that because you live there.

Cheech669

I live half an hour west of Barrie in a very little town called Lisle. The country is beautiful up here but really as long as I'm not in a city I'm happy. I haven't been to Missouri before but I've been to Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The drive through them is quite beautiful.

My daugher is amazing for doing this. She really wants to be a welder so I found her a fiberglass car with no issues that would require welding. Lol

Where are you lionelhutz? Our south western ontario covers a pretty big area.

lionelhutz

You're maybe an hour east of me. Maybe I'll get to check out your car one day.

fake

There are plenty of used 77 small blocks for sale. I would keep the car as original as possible There is nothing wrong with an automatic as long as it shifts. You have a collectible there, most people are parting out the 77. One day your car will be a good investment because you bought it cheap.

Cool bean

I have a 74 base coupe with th400. I did the 700r4 conversion. A local builder is building it up to handle 500+ hp/tq.
the original L48 motor is on a stand. It ran, i found a deal on a slightly used motor from someones restomod 64. I bought carb-to-pan, opened it up, replaced bearings, cam. It came with aluminum heads and is a 400 hp/tq motor.

I agree with others recommendations to get a dart shp block. Thats what i would do if i were staying with a gen 1 sbc.

jb78L-82

This suggestion is very true...just because your 77 is not collectable today does not mean 20 years from now it will not be. Talk to those folks back in the 60/70's that trashed their cars since no one thought they would be worth anything 40 years down the road.....keep it as original as possible OR save everything you remove.

I still lament that I let go my OEM Qjet back in 1983 and I know another 78 L-82 4 speed owner that still talks about not taking the OEM L-82 aluminum intake when the seller offered it to him when he bought the car and said no thanks since the engine had an edlebrock Performer RPM on the motor when he bought it....

cv67

doubt he wants to wait 20 yrs for maybe-hasnt happened yet

op dart & blueprint & others sell new 400 blocks, if you have tall fwy gear just grab one of their short/long blocks, no need for OD and plenty of tq everywhere make it easy for yourself.