Leave it stock OR.........

[mark25]

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]

That's an easy one! Two trucks!

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

[Custom 68]

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]

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]

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]

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