Original 307 engine, do I keep it in or get rid of it?

[Scottk6204]

Hey guys, I recently bought a clean 68 short box that has its original 307 3 speed column in it. I have already purchased a 5.3 Ls motor and 4L60E trans for it and was wanting to get that put in. My problem is this 307 runs like a top and to get this 5.3 installed is going to cost me another $2000 after extra parts and labor. There is a lot of other things I would like to get done on my truck and will not be able to do that if I spend my money getting this engine swap done.
So do I sell this 5.3 set up and not be so buried in this truck money wise or do I just go ahead with my original plan?

[LEEVON]

I would set the 5.3L aside, do whatever else you have planned for the truck (over time) and swap later when you're ready. A running engine is worth two on the floor.

[68gmsee]

^ Agreed. Why get rid of a perfectly good running engine to install an unknown. If you have storage space hold on to the LS just make sure you oil the cylinders down. If you do a lot of driving in the truck, eventually you will need it.

[hopped up]

i wovld keep the 307, esp since its running well. it always cost twice as much as you expect. that ls swap may cost you more than 2gs. do the other stuff before doing the swap
Posted via Mobile Device

[Rob H.]

I've got the 307 in my 72 also. I put it on the road as my DD in Febuary and am going to run it until it gives up the fight LOL. Then I have to decide if I'm going to use my 327 or the .040 over 5.7 out of my 96 burb! The 307 has never been a favorite of mine or most anybody I've talked too, but it's in it and runs and has been doing everything I've needed it too since I put the truck on the road. I've towed about 5000 lbs of tractor and equipment with it and it pulled it along at 60 just fine.

[kcfirstbuild]

I wanted to keep my truck with matching numbers so I Just rebuilt my 307, made a whole 200 horses !! It too also had 3 on the tree, which now days people have no idea what that is. So i kept it all. ALso depend on what your trying to build, hot rod or cruiser.

[ChevLoRay]

Three on the tree...indeed an old adage. My first driver was a '54 Ford with "three on the tree". Way better than a Ford-O-Matic. But, my shifter came with this HUGE chrome knob on the end. It was heavy enough that I had to hold it in 2nd until I was ready to shift. It would fall into neutral, but not quite heavy enough to drop into 3rd. Fun for a 17-yr old in '64.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

I would set the 5.3L aside, do whatever else you have planned for the truck (over time) and swap later when you're ready. A running engine is worth two on the floor.

I agree 100% with Leevon.

[Bert W]

I second LeeVon's response!

[treveiger]

3rd
Posted via Mobile Device

[Scottk6204]

Wow, thanks guys. Yeah I wasn't expecting it to run this good, it doesn't even leak a drop of oil. It has been sitting a long time and not driven much for several years so I think I will change points, cap, wires and plugs. Not real crazy about the 3 on the tree and I was maybe thinking about swapping that out and putting in an automatic column with a th350. But again the 3 speed works perfect.

[MARKDTN]

A 307 has the same crankshaft as a 327 by the way.

I would run the 307 until you have time and inclination to do the 5.3 swap.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

Three on the tree...indeed an old adage. My first driver was a '54 Ford with "three on the tree". Way better than a Ford-O-Matic. But, my shifter came with this HUGE chrome knob on the end. It was heavy enough that I had to hold it in 2nd until I was ready to shift. It would fall into neutral, but not quite heavy enough to drop into 3rd. Fun for a 17-yr old in '64.

Or as my cajun buddy used to say, "tree on da tree." My 68 has it and every year I laugh when the youngsters at the inspection station stare at it...

[N2TRUX]

My Daddy used to tell me "Son, if it aint broke, don't fix it till it is" He had some pretty profound advice.