Restoration Advice

[tanner07]

I am restoring a 1972 Chevelle Malibu, and I need to ask some advice.

It is the L-65 350 with a TH350, and I want to put in a standard tranny instead. Which would be the best to put in, the Muncie M-20 4-speed?

Now, if I were to do that, the car wouldn't be original anymore, but the thing is, I can't figure out how numbers matching it already is. I can't seem to find the code which should be above the passenger's side head, at the front end of the engine, which would determine if it truly is the L-65, or just something else that has been swapped in. Anyways, say it did turn out to be an L-65, and I put in the M-20, would it knock down the value alot?

But, I don't want to build the car for value, I want to build it so that it is fun to drive, so swapping in a 4-speed doesn't seem like a bad idea to me. Is this stupid?

Finally, if I did all of that, and it wasn't original anymore, would it be stupid to make an SS clone? Although I just said I'm not building it for value, let's face it, one day I will have to sell the car, and I think maybe making it into an SS clone will up the price, but then it will contradict with the numbers even more than before.

Sorry for such a long post, but some input would really be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tanner

[e3j1c1]

Put the 4-speed in it, don't waste your time or money making a clone. If you DO want to make a clone just deck the exterior, and make sure it has 454 bb emblems. If you want to increase the price, making a clone won't do it. If your looking for a SS buy one and fix it up.
Thats just my oponion, im sure someone out there woud love to pay extra for a clone. For me, either its original or its not.

[tanner07]

You don't need 454 badges for it to be an SS clone, the 1972 Chevelle SS was offered with the small block. If they were only offered with a big block I would never consider making it an SS clone, it's extremely lame when you have a 350 with 454 badges.

[DGB454]

Be sure to change out the dash. That's a dead giveaway for clones.

[e3j1c1]

Placing 454 on a 350's fender is no different than placing a SS on a bow-tie grill.

[68chevelle]

read it again. his main point was that you dont have to have 454 badges to make a clone, as you sugjested he do. but i defanitly agree that it is really lame to have 454 badges on a 350. i also dont like clone cars but i dont have as many problems with clones as putting a bigger engine bagde on the fender. now putting a smaller engine sizer on it when you have something Big and powerfully, thats fun. it messes with them.

[tanner07]

Originally Posted by e3j1c1

Placing 454 on a 350's fender is no different than placing a SS on a bow-tie grill.

I disagree. If you have a 350 car with 454 badges, people are going to expect to see a 454 under the hood, but when they see a 350 there's just nothing left to appreciate. However, having an SS badge on the grill doesn't suggest I have a more powerful engine than I already have. The SS was offered with the 350, 400 (402), and the 454. SS badges don't necessarily mean big block.

[e3j1c1]

I didn't say they did. Obviously no one picked up on my sarcasm and I’m sorry for that.
I don't want to start anything, but this is what I meant.
It's been my experience that leads me to be bias against clones; those which claim to be real SS. I'm not saying you’re going to do that, I'm just saying it’s extremely pathetic, those who do try it. But that, of course, is my opinion - for what it's worth.

[68chevelle]

hey e3j1c1, is that your 69?

[e3j1c1]

Yeah

[68chevelle]

nice

[e3j1c1]

Thanks

[CC5S]

Sorry for getting into this tread late but if you are going to look at putting a new tranny in you really should check out the new Tremec TKO 500 or 600 (5-Speeds).

It's nice to pick up that true over-drive gear when you want to run at lower RPM.

5th gear come in .64 and .68

Scott (www.classicchevy5speed.com)

[68chevelle]

dude. scott, whats is up. every post you have made is about those trannys. do you work for the damn company or what. i have no problem with someone advertising but come on its geting old. thats all you do is sugjest those two transmisions. besides there are other transmisons that have "that true over-drive gear".

[CC5S]

Kyle,

Appreiciate the feedback but I guess like people that have preference for types of cars (Chevelle, Nova, etc...) I have a preference for Tremec 5-Speed tranny.

I assume everyone on this board knows its not the only one out there, just giving "specific" opinion/info.

Again, appreciate your feedback

Scott