Project truck

[Mudman]

Throw a turbo at it like the 405!  Better yet do a Cummins twin turbo conversion and spank em all while running under 4000rpm.   Seriously you will not have traction for 500hp.

[Angry Perch]

Had a long talk with a transmission builder yesterday. Sounded like he knew what he was talking about, and was very detailed about planned tire size, rear end ratio, motor specs, etc. However, he was very set on a non lockup converter, witch goes against just about anything I've read for street applications. Anyone have any experience with this? I've got a decent handle on how things work, but automatic transmissions are out of my wheelhouse.

[Skillet]

Never owned one, but I know the guys I ran with ditched the lockup because of their weight. They are monsters. Anything you can do to lower the weight of the reciprocating mass will improve acceleration.   I'm sure there's a reliability issue when you start making big power as well.

If you go non-lockup, you'll generate a bit more heat in OD, increase your RPM slightly, and lose a bit of MPG vs a non-lockup.   

Did he cite any specific reasons for the non-lockup converter?

[Angry Perch]

Never owned one, but I know the guys I ran with ditched the lockup because of their weight. They are monsters. Anything you can do to lower the weight of the reciprocating mass will improve acceleration.   I'm sure there's a reliability issue when you start making big power as well.

If you go non-lockup, you'll generate a bit more heat in OD, increase your RPM slightly, and lose a bit of MPG vs a non-lockup.   

Did he cite any specific reasons for the non-lockup converter?

I have to call him back. I was on information overload! My number one concern is reliability.

[Skillet]

Virtually impossible to kill a non-lockup converter, unless you get crazy with the NO2. 

[Angry Perch]

My (again, limited) understanding is that it's not about the converter grenading, but about transmission failure due to overheating from slippage, which was an issue with the 700R4.

[dewandgin]

If it were me and I had your vehicle it would be one of two options, either a 406 with 350 vortec heads and a nice cam with F.I. (Easy 450hp) or a nice 6.0 with a slight build and easy almost 500hp with a 4L60E/4L65E built behind it. They both make tons of HP and good torque and the transmission with a nice build will last a long time.

Just finishing a 64 SWB with a 6.0 with a 4L65E and all computer controlled and will make almost 500 at the flywheel and my wife can drive it to the store or Olympia and get almost 20 mpg and will fry the tires through the first two gears easy.

Also have a 72 SWB that had a straight six and a three on the tree that now has a 454 and a TH400 that will fry the tires as long a I press on the loud pedal but it gets 6-8MPG and revs alot if I drive it 70mph but it is fun as hell to drive.

Def go with a o/d with lockup as it will keep the trans temps down and temp kills transmissions.

[Calvin Rayborn]

Add weight to the bed.

[Angry Perch]

Dropped the rear a couple inches to level it out. Through some headers on last weekend. I figured I'll need them for the new motor, so I might as well make some noise in the mean time! (yes, I realize I am a poser!)
New radiator come in tomorrow.

[Skillet]

That looks sweet!

 

[Grit dog]

Nice truck buddy!
Looks just like my dads last square body Chevy when I was a kid!

[Angry Perch]

Thanks!
Here's a little update:
Getting close to having everything I need in order to drop in the engine and transmission.
Bought a new aluminum radiator and B&M transmission cooler (will install with new engine so no old fluid)
Bought an Eaton Truetrac posi, Richmond 3.73 gears and all bearings. (Scheduled for install 6/5)
Installed a 1 3/8" front sway bar. Man what a difference!
Finished installing full Flowmaster exhaust system with Super 44s yesterday.
450HP/ 460TQ 383 Stroker and 700R4 transmission built to match should be here in 5-6 weeks.
Just need a few odds an ends, like tranny temp gauge and tach.



 

[Skillet]

That thing is gonna haul some serious ash.  Firewood.

You going to flog that 305 to death before you yank it?  I've always wanted to zip tie the throttle open on one of those and start the timer...

[Angry Perch]

That thing is gonna haul some serious ash.  Firewood.

You going to flog that 305 to death before you yank it?  I've always wanted to zip tie the throttle open on one of those and start the timer...

I'ts been getting a fair amount of abuse already. I'll tell you this; 165 ponies does not do justice to 2 1/2" exhaust and a pair of Super 44s.
At this point I'm a total poser. Maybe I'll use it to build a blender for making daiquiris!

[Jpmiller]

That thing is gonna haul some serious ash.  Firewood.

You going to flog that 305 to death before you yank it?  I've always wanted to zip tie the throttle open on one of those and start the timer...

My mom tells a story of my old man trying to blow up the motor on an old Ford falcon he had after they finally bought a new car like this. Said after about ten minutes he gave up and drove it to her brother's house and sold it to him. He claims it was the longest the thing ever ran without breaking.

Sweet looking truck. Love those things that don't look like they move and then before you know it the things gone. All substance and no show.