Leave it stock OR......... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mark25 · 11-24-2002, 09:29 PM

i can't decide whether or not to leave everything 100% stock under the hood on my SBC to BBC conversion or not. i have every stock piece for the big block and all has been powdercoated to a nice gloss black. i currently have a cowl induction hood, so i was contemplating dressing the motor out like one in an SS car with the chrome valve covers and the open element chrome air cleaner. i have a stock hood to go back on it, but can't make up my mind on what to do. where i live there aren't many if any trucks that have been left stock under the hood. when the small block was in there, i always got compliments at cruise nights and car shows for leaving everything stock so people knew how they looked from the factory. hhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmm......what to do???????

CSS996 · 11-24-2002, 09:38 PM

That's an easy one! Two trucks!

Honestly, listen to your heart. Either way is cool.

Custom 68 · 11-24-2002, 09:39 PM

and box all the other stuff up and send it to me! No just kidding just wanted to be the first to say that. I like the dressed up look but as everybody will say it is up to you. I am going a TPI on my 327 it will look good and am going aluminum on alot of other items in there I am excited.
Thanks
dave

mikep · 11-24-2002, 09:50 PM

Thats easy...

Which will run better? Since you are not doing a restoration why would you consider leaving the engine stock ? Stock engines are a study in compromise. You dont have to make the same bean counter judgement calls the factory did when they built the truck so why limit yourself to what was practical in an assembly line production vehicle 40 years ago. Your building the rest of the truck your way ...why not the engine?

WHYBYNU · 11-24-2002, 10:13 PM

Here is a pic of the motor in my 71 "Super". I was stuck between an all stock look and a custom look and this is what I ended up with . I love the way it came out, it is a very clean and simple look. Ether way you go you can't go wrong with a stock or custom look, both look great.. Good luck and keep us posted/w pics.....

*Piston* · 11-24-2002, 10:28 PM

Thats a tough call for sure. I've seen this truck a few times and it is MINT. Every detail has been tended to, spared no expense thats for sure.

If you went with the Cowl induction hood and dressed up the engine, that would be the only NON-stock items on the truck. If you went with the stock hood and stock engine componants, you've got a full restoration job completed.

I'd vote for both Mark. Like I was saying on the phone yesterday. Buy a stock hood, keep your cowl hood. Dress the engine up as stock and a stock hood. If you dont like it, bolt the cowl hood on and dress out the engine at that point.

It's not as if what you do will be forever.... it can always be done the other way.

PS get the rally wheels! lol

11-24-2002, 09:29 PM	#1
mark25 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Vassar,Ks 66543 Posts: 375	Leave it stock OR......... i can't decide whether or not to leave everything 100% stock under the hood on my SBC to BBC conversion or not. i have every stock piece for the big block and all has been powdercoated to a nice gloss black. i currently have a cowl induction hood, so i was contemplating dressing the motor out like one in an SS car with the chrome valve covers and the open element chrome air cleaner. i have a stock hood to go back on it, but can't make up my mind on what to do. where i live there aren't many if any trucks that have been left stock under the hood. when the small block was in there, i always got compliments at cruise nights and car shows for leaving everything stock so people knew how they looked from the factory. hhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmm......what to do??????? __________________ '72 C-10 Cheyenne Super, 402/TH400, Bucket Seats, tilt, tach, AM/FM & shoulder harnesses and a ground up restoration

11-24-2002, 09:38 PM	#2
CSS996 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 7	That's an easy one! Two trucks! Honestly, listen to your heart. Either way is cool. __________________ Mama's little baby loves short beds, short beds...

11-24-2002, 09:39 PM	#3
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,943	go back stock and box all the other stuff up and send it to me! No just kidding just wanted to be the first to say that. I like the dressed up look but as everybody will say it is up to you. I am going a TPI on my 327 it will look good and am going aluminum on alot of other items in there I am excited. Thanks dave __________________ Dave 1968 Custom Chevy with turbo charged 5.3 gen III 4l80e swap 1967-71 GMC 3/4 ton long step 4x4 (not sure what year exactly?) "A good friend will bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "that was frekin awesome". "If it doesn't fit force it...If it breaks then it needed to be replaced anyway!"

11-24-2002, 09:50 PM	#4
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Thats easy... Which will run better? Since you are not doing a restoration why would you consider leaving the engine stock ? Stock engines are a study in compromise. You dont have to make the same bean counter judgement calls the factory did when they built the truck so why limit yourself to what was practical in an assembly line production vehicle 40 years ago. Your building the rest of the truck your way ...why not the engine? __________________ No truck :-(

11-24-2002, 10:13 PM	#5
WHYBYNU WHYBYNU when old will do Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Hot Springs, AR. Posts: 647	Here is a pic of the motor in my 71 "Super". I was stuck between an all stock look and a custom look and this is what I ended up with . I love the way it came out, it is a very clean and simple look. Ether way you go you can't go wrong with a stock or custom look, both look great.. Good luck and keep us posted/w pics..... Attached Images __________________ 71 Cheyenne super 2 tone green and white ZZ6 - Th350 4/6 drop 20x8.5 / 20x10 Billet Specialties

11-24-2002, 10:28 PM	#6
Piston Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 2,300	Thats a tough call for sure. I've seen this truck a few times and it is MINT. Every detail has been tended to, spared no expense thats for sure. If you went with the Cowl induction hood and dressed up the engine, that would be the only NON-stock items on the truck. If you went with the stock hood and stock engine componants, you've got a full restoration job completed. I'd vote for both Mark. Like I was saying on the phone yesterday. Buy a stock hood, keep your cowl hood. Dress the engine up as stock and a stock hood. If you dont like it, bolt the cowl hood on and dress out the engine at that point. It's not as if what you do will be forever.... it can always be done the other way. PS get the rally wheels! lol



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