Donor cars or trucks

[chrometoyota]

Good Morning Guys,

I've been trying to hunt down a carbureted 327 or 350 and a 4 speed manual for my 65 and having a difficult time to say the least. I'm also looking to put power brakes, power steering, and most likely a new rear into the truck as the stock is pretty light? I KNOW I KNOW, VERY COMMON STUFF.

My question is, what donor cars or trucks do you guys recommend I try finding? What is the most compatible?

I will be looking to sell the original running 230 and 3 speed Saginaw upon removal. Hopefully there's someone looking for that kind of package in a resto. Runs great, but this isn't a resto, body is rough. This is going to be a toy.

[Clyde65]

Go get you a 73-87 1/2 ton truck, best to get a running driving vehicle so you know what your getting up front. If you want a 350, then look for the 73-80 GM trucks, 81-86 3/4 ton for the motor and 87 for the TBI 350. the 1/2 ton suspension will bolt up, give you pwr steering and brakes. keep your rear 6 lug or change the axles to 5 lug.

Good luck..

[chrometoyota]

Thank you. I've narrowed my search to that. Hopefully something comes up.

[kieth]

Originally Posted by chrometoyota

thank you. I've narrowed my search to that. Hopefully something comes up.

do not be afraid of the tbi engines, this opens up 73 to 91 suburban 2wd, i bought a wrecked one with a fresh engine, 700r4, rebuilt front end, new brakes, for $900.00 used the engine, trans, all front of engine stuff, power steering gearbox, pump, front crossmember, sway bar, wiring harness, tilt wheel......could have used the wheels also but got cragars instead......pretty inexpensive.......way to upgrade. Take your time look around you can find something on craigslist. Kieth


HERE IS A EXAMPLE:
http://lawton.craigslist.org/cto/4103620558.html

ANOTHER:
http://wichita.craigslist.org/cto/4081129213.html

[mr andrerson]

I'm in the same boat... looking for the perfect donor myself. I'm going to do what Kieth did on his...a full strip down. My question is, anyone know the years for the best chance of a 4bolt main block? if all other parts i.e....steering pump, cross member, discs, etc are the same... what are the best years for the best block to start with?

[chrometoyota]

Thanks Keith. I'm going to be honest, I'm not the best with electrical. TBI makes me nervous haha.

[LostMy65]

Also,
after you harvest the goodies, you can still get $300+ for the leftover scrap.

[Captainfab]

Most often a C30, and sometimes a C20 will have a 4 bolt 350. But there is no guarantee. I have pulled several engines that 'should have' had a 4 bolt block but did not. The only for sure way is to pull the pan.

If you want to know my opinion of the best block to build, that would be a '96-'02 L31 Vortec 350. You get the Vortec heads and the factory style roller cam. And in those years the C/K2500's and 3500's seem to be more likely to be a 4 bolt.

Originally Posted by mr andrerson

I'm in the same boat... looking for the perfect donor myself. I'm going to do what Kieth did on his...a full strip down. My question is, anyone know the years for the best chance of a 4bolt main block? if all other parts i.e....steering pump, cross member, discs, etc are the same... what are the best years for the best block to start with?

[chrometoyota]

Captainfab, there is nothing more I would love to put in the truck than a Vortec or LS. Are you talking dropping it in still injected or swapping the manifold etc and making it carbureted?

[chrometoyota]

Kieth, how involved is the TBI to put in?

[kieth]

Originally Posted by chrometoyota

Kieth, how involved is the TBI to put in?

I used the wiring harness from the 91 burb (including the fuse panel) it was plug and play except for the connections to the gauges. This made the whole job simple........

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...3G4GX&lb=1&s=A


we used the tilt wheel and just plugged the 91 wiring harness into the 91 tilt wheel........no rewiring
http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...9201&k=LxTd8B7

here is the computer on the passenger side interior firewall...

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...3625&k=3HTCKCG

[mr andrerson]

thanks captainfab!! that was kinda what i thought, but never heard anyone say it. ill be sure to hit you up for the power steering bracket and brake booster mount when i've found the perfect donor!!

[Captainfab]

You could go either way, with the L31 Vortec CPFI, or change to a carb. If you wanted to go EFI, and if you found a '96 + truck with both the engine and trans you want, that would make a good donor. Then you could use the factory PCM to control both the engine and trans. If you do go with a L31 Vortec with the CPFI, due to the issues with the original CPFI, I would make the upgrade to the MPFI.

Originally Posted by chrometoyota

Captainfab, there is nothing more I would love to put in the truck than a Vortec or LS. Are you talking dropping it in still injected or swapping the manifold etc and making it carbureted?

[chrometoyota]

Thanks Captainfab. I will also be ordering the power steering bracket from you as well once I find a truck.