Stock Restoration?

[Cubera2014]

Trying to decide how I want to restore my 67 Chevelle SS L-35, I have some friends telling me to tone down the motor, go down to a 3.08 for the rearend because I want it to be a driver. Stating the difference in gasoline compared to the 60's and also if I put the stock 3.55 in the rearend it will run at to high of a RPM for highway driving. My gut is telling me that I want to restore it stock except for adding front disc brake option. This car is getting a complete nut and bolt rotisserie restoration, it has 97k miles and I know it was driven like that being kept stock so my question is what would you do? I welcome all opinions and guidance. Thank you for your help in advance.

[WILMASBOYL78]

The early 396/325hp engines with stock compression and camshaft are not pump gas friendly. That being said, how you build it and what gear ratio you run really depends upon how much driving you want to do and what your tolerance is for using high octane fuel, etc. A 3.55 rear is not a true highway gear, but it is not that bad as an all around compromise. I would also consider what tranny you have...if it is an M20 then highway gears like 3.31 or 3.08 will be ok. If you have an M21, those lower gears will be a little &quot;doggy&quot; off the line. One of our L78 cars has an M21 with 3.55's and first gear lugs a little. Keep in mind rear tire size will also impact the final gear ratio...you could go with a 15&quot; tire easily on that car and keep the 3.55's...part of the fun of driving a big block Chevy is hearing the motor wind up a little [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/[/img]

I would be inclined to consider some &quot;non-visible&quot; engine upgrades that improve the cylinder heads along with a modern hydraulic camshaft. If you are planning to drive a few hundred miles a year...then don't worry about the gas...buy the good stuff and enjoy the car as it was meant to be. If you want a pump gas/highway friendly car...take your daily driver out for a ride...if you want to have some fun...nothing else sounds or feels like a big block when you hit the go pedal.

wilma

[Cubera2014]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WILMASBOYL78</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The early 396/325hp engines with stock compression and camshaft are not pump gas friendly. That being said, how you build it and what gear ratio you run really depends upon how much driving you want to do and what your tolerance is for using high octane fuel, etc. A 3.55 rear is not a true highway gear, but it is not that bad as an all around compromise. I would also consider what tranny you have...if it is an M20 then highway gears like 3.31 or 3.08 will be ok. If you have an M21, those lower gears will be a little &quot;doggy&quot; off the line. One of our L78 cars has an M21 with 3.55's and first gear lugs a little. Keep in mind rear tire size will also impact the final gear ratio...you could go with a 15&quot; tire easily on that car and keep the 3.55's...part of the fun of driving a big block Chevy is hearing the motor wind up a little [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/[/img]

I would be inclined to consider some &quot;non-visible&quot; engine upgrades that improve the cylinder heads along with a modern hydraulic camshaft. If you are planning to drive a few hundred miles a year...then don't worry about the gas...buy the good stuff and enjoy the car as it was meant to be. If you want a pump gas/highway friendly car...take your daily driver out for a ride...if you want to have some fun...nothing else sounds or feels like a big block when you hit the go pedal.

wilma </div></div>

It does have the M20 and your advice is very sound. I do want to enjoy the car for what it is. This helps me a bunch. Thank you!!!

[VintageMusclecar]

Is your primary goal performance or driveability/road manners?

Is the drivetrain numbers matching?

[Cubera2014]

[quote=VintageMusclecar]Is your primary goal performance or driveability/road manners?

Is the drivetrain numbers matching?[/quote

I want performance but, I also want some road manners. The best of both worlds really, somewhere right in the middle would be key. The drivetrain is numbers matching.

[Salvatore]

3.73's would be fine with a nice 15&quot; tire maybe 27 inches tall.
I myself like headers and nice flowing exhaust system.
have Eric do the Q-jet for a little more performance
and recurve the distributor and you are in.
I run 4.56's and an M20 box in my Z/28 and drive it all over.
So, do not be afraid!
Chevies love gears and RPM's.

[XXXGoldL34M20]

I would restore it to bone stock the way it was born.
It is becoming a lost art that when people restore cars they tend to modify them to much away from stock form.
I prefer seeing cars restored the way they came out of the show room IMO

[scuncio]

I have an otherwise stock 1970 396/350hp Chevelle with an aftermarket intake, headers, Comp 280 cam, and 3.73 gears. It runs fine on 93 and is fast enough to be enjoyable to drive. This car was a total dog in stock form, so I would recommend at least a cam change.

[SeattleCarGuy]

Since its a convertible, which is beautiful in a '67 Chevelle, I would restore it to bone stock appearance, but maybe a modern cam for better power and a Pertronix insert in the distributor to replace the factory points. Sounds like a great car.

[Bill Pritchard]

<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">Tone down </span></span>a 325hp 396??? Are they serious? My 69 Chevelle convertible is a 325hp 396 and I have driven it about 5,000 miles over the past 12 years.....all on pump 93 octane premium and with bias belt tires. Same points, plugs, cap, rotor, etc that I put in it right after buying it. It runs and drives just fine.