72 RAT Build.

[Redleg]

Well its been a while since i have updated the "build thread", but i have started progress of actually restoring some items and make some actual changes.

First off, white walls are gone, replaced with raised white letters. (as shown in pictures.....

Then the second is a pic of a new 307 block i am picking up saturday. I am going to copy and post what i posted in the engine forum so i can get as much feedback as possible....

Please beat this to death for me and help me get the most bang (HP) for my buck.



-307 Block with .020 bore
-Flat head O/S .020 Pistons
-Small cam possibly a Hydraulic Flat Tappet Duration 242/252, Lift .368/.398 Possibly smaller duration because of the heads i will be using? Maybe a 230/230 duration with a .480/480 lift? or a XE262 as another member has recommended....(feedback especially wanted here)
-Elderbrock intake (on current 307)
-Elderbrock 600 Carb (on current 307)
-HEI distributor (on current 307)
-MSD Ignition
-305 heads with 1.84 intake. they are 416 casting 305 heads (on current 307)
-headers
-dual flowmaster 60 series mufflers (on current 307)
-Has current 3OTT, but hope to change to T-5, or T-56 depending on availability
-3.73 rear end.....


So what are some thoughts on what this will get me? Am i way off base? Decent build or will it need some work? About to start the build in a couple of weeks so i am doing research and going to start ordering soon!

[Redleg]

well the new block, pistons and cam are home. dont know if i will use the cam, but will try the pistons out.....aftermarket flat tops....

[Redleg]

Worked on a little bit of everything this weekend.

Installed my blower lever on the heater control panel, still have to order a Defrost lever...

Did some small body filling and smoothing. Really working on trying to get better and more patient at it. I might not keep this bed, but its a good way to learn the trade anyway!!!

And finally, took a 307 block, pistons and cam to the machine shop and picked up a free 307...Its seen its better days but i hope to use the crank and covers etc......Its a little messy and wet...been outside for a long time!!!!

[Redleg]

Also decided to take a look at the heads on my truck. I was under the impression that they were 416 series with the 1.84 valves.....Nope!

Turns out they are 376450/378450 whichever one is the right number. They are 1.72s....So i will be looking for a good set of heads.........

I plan on using my Elderbrock Performer 2101 manifold and Elderbrock 1400 carb on the new motor. Was plan on using the heads till now......

[litew8]

I'll try and get a rendition posted.

1) O.D./Olive Green (like the star's background) paint - What is O.D.? And, to be a white cab top?
2) Black bumpers and grill
3) Big U.S. Army stenciled on the tailgate
4) Black star trimmed in white on the door

[Redleg]

The thought is to go with something similar to the attached.

However the bumpers will be black.. and the wheel centercaps. may change from current ones. will see when that time comes...

Star will be black with white trim....

I think i will leave it a solid Army green color.... I thought about the white cab, but for my first paint job, im going to stick with a solid color..

The plan was getting a smooth tailgate or tailgate cover and in place of where it would usually say Chevy, it would be the U.S. ARMY.

Then somewhere on the front bumper and rear bumper i would put a "truck number"

O.D. Green is olive drab green. But the actual paint i am looking at now is Army Matte Green.

[67cheby]

i like it !

[Low down and dirty]

you might have already stated this in your thread, but have you put any thought into lowering the truck? It would look pretty good with a 3''/5'' drop kit.

[Redleg]

Originally Posted by Low down and dirty

you might have already stated this in your thread, but have you put any thought into lowering the truck? It would look pretty good with a 3''/5'' drop kit.

Haha, i had just posted in the suspension forum that i am looking to add 1" or 2" drop springs to my 2.5 drop spindles in the front and see the best way to lower my rear 4" since it has leaf springs....

[Low down and dirty]

I really have no experience with leaf spring trucks. I know you can use lowering blocks, but not sure how low you can go with just blocks. Maybe someone else can chime in with some advice. The only problem with lowering your truck is it seems like its never low enough....lol

[Redleg]

Here is a question, if i replace the 3 OTT with a 350 tranny and use a floor shift is there any reason i will have to change out the steering column?

[whitelightnin92]

just take the pin out of the shifter on the column and it comes off

[502ms]

Originally Posted by Low down and dirty

I really have no experience with leaf spring trucks. I know you can use lowering blocks, but not sure how low you can go with just blocks. Maybe someone else can chime in with some advice. The only problem with lowering your truck is it seems like its never low enough....lol

Bag it. You will never be happy enough with the drop on springs..
Besides, you will be paying close to the same on parts....
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[Low down and dirty]

Hey Redleg, No need to change the steering column. I still use my 3 ott column with a T350 and B&M shifter. Just remove the column shifter and linkage and keep on rollin....

[Redleg]

Quick question. Best headers to use for these trucks.

Been seeing some threads about clearance issues etc......

[Low down and dirty]

I'm running Hedman full length headers with no problems. A little tight on the drivers side, but got them in without any problems..

[Cameron 1137]

i run the cheapest pair that Advance Auto had, a 99 dollar black coated pair, fit nice, and like Low down said, a little tight on the driver side, but i think they all are

[Redleg]

Good to know! Saw quite a few cheap sets on ebay i was curious about...

[Boogie_Man]

+1 on the Hedmans. Summit's truck headers aren't too bad either and run around $130 painted.

As far as lowering with rear leafs, a set of lowering blocks would do you just fine, or if you want a little better ride quality, a set of drop leafs. Bagging the truck would cost WAY more. A good set of blocks are around $60 while just a compressor for an air ride setup is at least $160 for a Viair. You could get springs and blocks for that much.

Nice truck, I'm really diggin' the flat black shop rat feel. The matte army green is pretty sick as well. Good work on that interior paint!

[chevy88]

I love your truck, you have alot of cool idea's.... but I still like the black version a little better.

[fastcam1]

Originally Posted by Boogie_Man

+1 on the Hedmans. Summit's truck headers aren't too bad either and run around $130 painted.

As far as lowering with rear leafs, a set of lowering blocks would do you just fine, or if you want a little better ride quality, a set of drop leafs. Bagging the truck would cost WAY more. A good set of blocks are around $60 while just a compressor for an air ride setup is at least $160 for a Viair. You could get springs and blocks for that much.

Nice truck, I'm really diggin' the flat black shop rat feel. The matte army green is pretty sick as well. Good work on that interior paint!

As far as I know all the leaf spring equipped c10s the rearend is under the springs not on top so he will need to use a flip kit, blocks wouldn't work. Not a 100% positive but this is how mine was originally set up before I converted to trailing arms
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[Redleg]

The plan in time is to do flip kit. However the PO removed some leafs in the rear. I dont plan on flipping it until i can get a full set of leafs.. Its soft enough as it is!!!!

All i have to do to lower it another 4" is have a midget stand in the back and it drops it plenty!

[litew8]

Not much better, couldn't spend too much time on it.
And there was no way I was going to attempt the U.S. Army lettering on the tailgate

Anyway, something like this is what I understood (sorry didn't mess with tires).
Lots of bondo to fix the door

[Redleg]

Well, i figured i might update this, even though it will probably change again like it has a few times,

BUT.....

I am actually thinking of making a Flatbed for it. I have a close friend who has an aweseome shop, with any kind of hoist, lift, welder, cutter etc.... He mainly builds bikes for him his wife and kids, but he used to do Rock Crawlers. Talked to him about it and we put together a nice little blueprint of a sweet looking flatbed for it.....It will have looks, but also functionality....

Unfortunately he lives in Texas so I wont get to start that part until i can move back there, which Lord help us, will be sooner than later this year....

[502ms]

If you do, what will happen with your fleet bed?
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