Thread: Newbie with a possable 1st build

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Hey guys,
I want to say that i've been browsing the forum for awhile and decided to join. When i was 15 my dad and I semi build up a 75 Comet and that as my 1st taste of old'skool building.
I'm now 27 and looking for my own project. I've come across a 1980 GMC Stepside that I have I'm looking to purchase. The body is pretty good, monor rust and typical ware. It has a 305, Which i am assuming is a small block. It also has a 350 turbo tranny. It runs but will need to have some work done so i could drive it more then park it.
I was contimplating building up a 350 and using that, but for the time being I have read a few articals and different sites that talk about the 305 and how you can build it up to be pretty good. $$$ is a partial issuse, like it is with most guys, but i was wanting this to become an ongoing project.

Questions: Since i'm not 100% sure what the truck/engine model # is i'm not to sure where to start. Please remember that I am pretty new to the GMC old skool truck & car. lol I have a honda and a harley.... Any help or advice would well and greatly excepted?

Thanks

a 305 is a good motor. But---it will never give you the performance of a 350. There is no substitute for cubic inches. Best advice---buy it, drive it, see what you are happy and/or unhappy with. If you feel the need for more power, buy a 350 from the junkyard and rebuild it, or buy a 350 crate motor. Too many hotrods have died a lingering death because people pulled out the "every-day" motor to rebuild it or 'soup it up". and then got stalled. The vehicle is then undriveable, never sees the light of day again, and is sold off as a basket case to get rid of it.

I had a 85 Chevy C10 with 305 new in 85. It was the bigest gutless wonder I ever owned It would tow forward fair at best but with a trailer you couldn't get it to go in reverse. Just no guts

Since you're new to this, I'll rattle your brain a little. Cut the front frame rails off at the firewall and weld on the front clip from a '74-'76 Cadillac Eldorado. Front wheel drive and 500 cubic inches can't be wrong.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

Since you're new to this, I'll rattle your brain a little. Cut the front frame rails off at the firewall and weld on the front clip from a '74-'76 Cadillac Eldorado. Front wheel drive and 500 cubic inches can't be wrong.

hey that would work front wheels may hang out a bit just get some truck mud flaps