New to G bodies

[wh1skea]

Hi, I'm Ed and I just bought my first G Body yesterday. 81 Monte Carlo with a 229 V6. Previous owner said there was a knock in the engine and started tearing it down. I'm trying to decide to swap in a 327 I have sitting on a stand, or a TBI 350 I have sitting in my truck that was recently totaled. Truck is a 91 C1500 Sport. Also have an 89 IROC that I am working on, so I'm no stranger to Chevy.

 

[Opie Knievel]

Welcome to the forum Ed. We have another member named Ed here who is refurbishing a really nice '86 SS.

That's a solid looking '81 Monte you've got there. The dent yours has is in about the same spot on the left fender that my '86 had when I bought it.

I'm guessing being an '81 yours is a 3 speed? TH350? What rear gears does it currently have?

What vintage is your 327?
Any other plans for the car?


There are a lot of good people and a lot of knowledge on this forum. You'll love it here.

 

[Longroof79]

Welcome aboard, Ed.
I'm sure you'll find the forum informative in your search for parts and technical advice.
As much as I like 327's,being an old school kinda guy, I think I would lean towards the 350.
Keep us up to date on your progress...and thanks for the nice introduction.

 

[wh1skea]

Opie and longroof, thanks. It has the factory auto trans, so I'd say it's a 200C. The 327 is a 67 model with 65 Vette double hump heads. As for the 350, only thing making me lean towards the 327 is that the 350 is from a 91 and doesn't have a mechanical fuel pump.

 

[wh1skea]

As for plans for the car, probably SS clone with a pro touring setup.

 

[Longroof79]

Opie and longroof, thanks. It has the factory auto trans, so I'd say it's a 200C. The 327 is a 67 model with 65 Vette double hump heads. As for the 350, only thing making me lean towards the 327 is that the 350 is from a 91 and doesn't have a mechanical fuel pump.

Ahhhh...good point.
It sounds like a stout little 327. As for the 200 trans, you might be looking into replacing it sooner or later...probably sooner. Running the 327 is got to be better than a 305.

I think turning it into an SS clone is a good idea. I see you already have the proper wheels.

 

[Opie Knievel]

Opie and longroof, thanks. It has the factory auto trans, so I'd say it's a 200C. The 327 is a 67 model with 65 Vette double hump heads. As for the 350, only thing making me lean towards the 327 is that the 350 is from a 91 and doesn't have a mechanical fuel pump.

If what I looked up is correct an '81 Monte Carlo could have had a TH350. You'll just have to check. If it is a 200, you might as well replace it when you do the V8 swap.

As for plans for the car, probably SS clone with a pro touring setup.

I love the Pro Touring idea. The SS clone idea, not so much. I've always liked the look of the non-SS Monte Carlos better. It's your car obviously and you can do whatever you want with it but my vote would be to keep the regular front end.

 

[wh1skea]

I've always like the look of the SS. And when I unloaded the car off the trailer yesterday, and was looking at it head on, it looked too much like a Caprice. As for the trans, I'm probably going to swap in the 700r that is in my truck.

 

[Opie Knievel]

I've always like the look of the SS. And when I unloaded the car off the trailer yesterday, and was looking at it head on, it looked too much like a Caprice. As for the trans, I'm probably going to swap in the 700r that is in my truck.

The whole point of hot rodding is to make the car "yours" so if you want an SS clone, do it to it! Lol.

Having an overdrive transmission is really nice. If you already have a 700R4 then it's a no brainer to use it.

 

[Doug213xrj]

Hey Ed, Welcome from West Michigan.

Doug