The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1967 - 1972 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-19-2018, 01:35 PM   #1
Jacoby
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Dallas
Posts: 43
Can anything be done with a 307?

From help I received on here it was determined my 68 has a 307 out of a 72 Chevelle in it. Its a 2bbl 130hp turd. Ive gotten it running after years of sitting and it seems to run fine, idles good, timing is right on the mark etc. What can I do to squeeze some extra power out of it and gain some sound? Not interested in swapping cranks or heads or anything. Is it even worth fooling with or should I just consider that 350 crate motor ive been eyeballing?
Jacoby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2018, 01:51 PM   #2
Robznob11
Registered User
 
Robznob11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: brownfield texas (west texas)
Posts: 1,936
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

Tear it apart clean and paint it real nice! Get a thick piece of glass cut , the size of a coffee table. Sell it to some dude for his man cave. Take the money and buy a sbc 350. Lol! Not worth wasting the time. Even if you make it sound good it will run like a dog!
__________________
The Ghost 67 short wide full custom. 550 hp LSX, 4l80E, narrowed 9". Body dropped w/air ride!
........................ ___
.........________//__{\_____
,,,,,,,/__(⊙)___//___/__(O)_/

@disciple2.rc 💪instagram💪
LED TAILS
Robznob11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2018, 02:11 PM   #3
Willys_MB
Registered User
 
Willys_MB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 856
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

Some people really value those old 307's.

Back when I thought my truck had a 307 in it I was talking to a guy who uses them in his racecar and he had nothing but great things to say. You might find someone locally who wants it, but I'm with Robznob11, just sell it and put in a 350. You'll be a lot happier with that!
__________________
1968 GMC C2500 Long Bed Fleetside
Willys_MB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2018, 02:24 PM   #4
68Gold/white
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ark City, Kansas
Posts: 3,257
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

Some will argue with me, but you can put a 4 Bbl carb on it for some extra passing power.

I built a 283 years ago and a friend built a 307 at same time. both had 4 Bbls, both performed much better, the 307 obviously a little better because of the cubes.

Cam really needs to be a stock piece, much more and you lose low RPM cylinder pressure, killing street driving.

A quadrajet will work good on a 307, just make sure you get parts and tuning info from Cliff. cliffshighperformance.com

Having done this, the engine did it's job but was NO obvious powerhouse. I build nothing smaller than a 350 anymore, preferably a 400 or larger...400 small blocks are the only way to go...
68Gold/white is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2018, 02:32 PM   #5
67chevemall
Registered User
 
67chevemall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: NB
Posts: 3,367
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

Bore and stroke it. 327 crank and heads.
Vroooooom
__________________
1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside
1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold
1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD
67chevemall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2018, 03:41 PM   #6
hewittca
Senior Member
 
hewittca's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Mocksville, NC
Posts: 1,700
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 67chevemall View Post
Bore and stroke it. 327 crank and heads.
Vroooooom
I wasn't aware that you could stroke a 307. It was my understanding that a 307 was essentially a 283 block with a 327 crank based on dimensions, so it's basically already a "stroked 283"? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's just what I've read on the specs.
__________________
Builds: Green Gus the 68 C10 ; Sullii the 72 1500
-
Instagram: @dr.hewitt
-
C10 Concept/Development Photos: Master Thread
hewittca is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2018, 03:52 PM   #7
StingRay
Senior Member
 
StingRay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada
Posts: 2,476
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

1972 will have poor heads for performance. A set of .194 heads with a 4 BBl and cam will wake it up.

They had good torque. I pulled a truck on a car hauler home with my 72 and it handled it it quite well.
__________________
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Canada
StingRay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2018, 03:52 PM   #8
68Gold/white
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ark City, Kansas
Posts: 3,257
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

Oh my, It already has a 327 crank.

Noe on the 350 crank contacting the block, a little grinding might make that work, although at the cost of needing custom pistons....that probably kills it for most of us, hello 350 or 400 SB
68Gold/white is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2018, 04:01 PM   #9
demian5
Registered User
 
demian5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Lake Forest, CA
Posts: 2,177
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

Forged crank (like the 60s) or cast?
__________________
"Work hard, use your vacation days."
1970 C15 GMC Long Bed
1986 C20 Scottsdale
1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2
Instagram: C10sofOC
demian5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2018, 06:48 PM   #10
68Gold/white
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ark City, Kansas
Posts: 3,257
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

307 crank will be cast. The 307 was the bottom line V8 replacement for the 283. All 307's were 2 Bbl, all small valve heads. It was the grandpa and grandma engine option.

Thinking was different back then. Car buyers, dealership folks making order decisions were likely born during or before the depression. Money was seldom spent for ANYthing luxurious. A pickup with a V8 was nearly a scandalous thought, much less going ahead with the purchase...
68Gold/white is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2018, 07:06 PM   #11
BCOWANWHEELS
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: KINGSPORT,TN.
Posts: 3,035
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

there great engines. it will do anything asked of it. if you want a little more iron 4 bbl manifold, Q jet , decient set of stock gm iron heads with 1.94/1.60 valves, ram horn exh manifolds, melling towing cam , gm electronic dist. but I prefer points myself.............. blocks are heavy castings.
__________________
I BELIEVE IN JOHN 3:16

Last edited by BCOWANWHEELS; 04-19-2018 at 07:44 PM.
BCOWANWHEELS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2018, 07:21 PM   #12
35boulder
Registered User
 
35boulder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Dallas Texas
Posts: 1,380
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...6UQr0eEKdy-NYW
35boulder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2018, 08:28 PM   #13
Jacoby
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Dallas
Posts: 43
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 35boulder View Post
So for around $2k I could have a running hopped up little 307. For nearly double that (if I went crate motor) I could have a drop in 350 that makes around the same power. Hmmmm.....
Jacoby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2018, 08:33 PM   #14
Robznob11
Registered User
 
Robznob11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: brownfield texas (west texas)
Posts: 1,936
Wink Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

My buddy got this one. And it's scary in a 41 ford coupe! More than enough and a smoking price.
BluePrint 383 Small Block Chevy Crate Engine
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/BlueP...ine,52467.html
__________________
The Ghost 67 short wide full custom. 550 hp LSX, 4l80E, narrowed 9". Body dropped w/air ride!
........................ ___
.........________//__{\_____
,,,,,,,/__(⊙)___//___/__(O)_/

@disciple2.rc 💪instagram💪
LED TAILS
Robznob11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2018, 11:11 PM   #15
Coalkracker
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pa
Posts: 134
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

Just pull it out and send it my way...they really are a great motor, fuel efficient, reliable, and will haul or tow almost anything you need to. You can get a bunch of power out of them with some work and money but that wasn't gm's intentions when they designed them.
Coalkracker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2018, 07:31 AM   #16
35boulder
Registered User
 
35boulder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Dallas Texas
Posts: 1,380
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacoby View Post
So for around $2k I could have a running hopped up little 307. For nearly double that (if I went crate motor) I could have a drop in 350 that makes around the same power. Hmmmm.....
Not trying to say do what the article put forth, just showing that more power is there is you want/need it, which is what you were asking. When/if the time comes for me to rebuild my 307 that's in my truck now, I would put in a new crate motor. What's better than a fresh motor, with a warranty. Good luck.
35boulder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2018, 08:21 AM   #17
67chevemall
Registered User
 
67chevemall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: NB
Posts: 3,367
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

Still light years better then the junk they make now...
__________________
1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside
1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold
1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD
67chevemall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2018, 10:21 AM   #18
1968 baby blue C10
Registered User
 
1968 baby blue C10's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Ravenswood, West Virginia
Posts: 239
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

Mine runs great and has plenty of get up and go in my truck, but it’s an original 68 truck 307. The only thing that’s been done to it is a 4 barrel has been added. The day before yesterday I turned on to the interstate ramp in third gear, had to almost stop at the top because of a stupid construction stop sign, was probably going 25-30 mph, and then accelerated to interstate speeds without downshifting. has enough torque to not lug in third gear below 5 mph with brakes applied. And will take off in first without giving it any gas and will crawl around on its own. Of course this is probably largely due to the SM465 and 4.11 rear end. But it is a torquey engine no doubt.
__________________
68 C10 long-fleet, Long and low is the way to go. factory: 307 sbc, SM465 4-speed, 12 bolt 4.11 rear end. 75,000 original miles.
Build:Ole Blue
Millennial and can drive stick.
"Too many people have opinions on things they know nothing about. And the more ignorant they are, the more opinions they have." -Thomas Hildern

Last edited by 1968 baby blue C10; 04-20-2018 at 10:28 AM.
1968 baby blue C10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2018, 10:55 AM   #19
Warrens69GMC
Registered User
 
Warrens69GMC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Safford,AZ
Posts: 3,613
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

You can add 305 heads (416 castings), Summit k1102 cam kit and find an aluminum intake(from the 1980's 305 and 350's) to wake up your 307. You should be able to get all used or free for under $200.00

Last edited by Warrens69GMC; 04-26-2018 at 04:13 PM.
Warrens69GMC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2018, 12:01 PM   #20
streetstar
Registered User
 
streetstar's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Moore, Oklahoma
Posts: 2,396
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

You can make a fine cruiser with it but if you're talking about a motor that you can stand on it and boil the N-50s for a 1/4 mile-then a 307 probably is not the right choice

Principal problem is lack of available high performance pistons for the bore size.

But that said, boring them to 4" and hoping the piston wall liner holds up was a popular roundy round trick in claimer motor classes -- results in a large journal 327 -- but those guys' werent that concerned with blowing through a $25 salvage yard block either
__________________
Are you retired too?

Nonsense! I'm in my prime
streetstar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2018, 12:22 PM   #21
ho70
Registered User
 
ho70's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Winnipeg, Mb
Posts: 1,115
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

had a stock 307 in my 68 GMC. Hated it for no other reason than it was a 307. Never gave me problems and I gave it to my friend and he ran it forever-no troubles.

Last edited by ho70; 04-21-2018 at 08:27 AM.
ho70 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2018, 12:35 PM   #22
'70_402
Senior Member
 
'70_402's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pampa, Texas
Posts: 1,554
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

Rule to live by..... THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT....
'70_402 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2018, 12:36 PM   #23
brown7373
Registered User
 
brown7373's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fort Pierce, FL
Posts: 430
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

I bought a 350/290 from JEGS for $2347.08 delivered with intake, exhaust and water pump gaskets. I already had my 4bbl intake and Q-jet. I am putting it in today. That's not double the $2000 but does require getting a carb and intake. Plus, there is no rebuild labor other that installing the intake, carb water pump and exhaust manifolds.
brown7373 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2018, 02:30 PM   #24
Jacoby
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Dallas
Posts: 43
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

Glad this is getting some talk going. I would be down for a crate 350 but I’m kinda digging on beefing up the 307. I’m thinking heads, cam, intake l, etc. Try to squeeze 300hp out of this motor would be cool. I’m not all about max hp but I’d like people to see a 307 and be like what!!! Thanks for the help guys
Jacoby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2018, 02:37 PM   #25
StingRay
Senior Member
 
StingRay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada
Posts: 2,476
Re: Can anything be done with a 307?

They didn't typically have any alloy in the block and were pretty soft. Not known for going huge miles without some significant cylinder wear.
__________________
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Canada
StingRay is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:36 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com