Weighing options on a 76

[redneck_reed78]

I'm thinking instead of selling this clean machine, I might make a flatbed for it and stick a motor trans and t case in it. Other than a diesel, what's the best motor and transmission combo that I can get with decent power for driving around and maybe get 15 mpg out of it (don't laugh I'm serious). I have my 78, but with a th350 and 4.11s on 32"s behind a 350 and full time 4x4... I get 8 and can't be driving it more than a few times a month when I have to pull stuff. If I could get a rig with 15+ mpg I could daily it to school and back, around 50 miles a day. Thanks for any opinions and please take it seriously haha!

 

[68post]

If you've ruled-out the diesel then it'll be hard/impossible achieving power and mileage.
Probably the best compromise then is a swirl-port or vortec headed 350 and an OD trans. Or perhaps a carbed 283/305/307 with headers a T350 trans and a light foot !

 

[Georgeb]

whats your daily now?

 

[bucket]

If you've ruled-out the diesel then it'll be hard/impossible achieving power and mileage.
Probably the best compromise then is a swirl-port or vortec headed 350 and an OD trans. Or perhaps a carbed 283/305/307 with headers a T350 trans and a light foot !

A 283 would be cool. Especially topped off with a lowly Crossfire injection setup with a later TBI harness and ECM. With some swirl port heads too.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Snatch a 350/700 combo up from one of the IFS trucks.

But for that money, you could buy some stupid car, like a Neon, and afford to drive your other truck alot more lol.

 

[Georgeb]

Snatch a 350/700 combo up from one of the IFS trucks.

But for that money, you could buy some stupid car, like a Neon, and afford to drive your other truck alot more lol.

This^
Or a square S-10 pickup as a daily.

 

[Daveo91Burb]

What about a 250 or 292 I-6? Maybe not so good on power, but how did those motors do for mileage? Not sure what tranny he'd use, probably just a 350? Or maybe a 700R4 or even a 200R4?

 

[4WDKC]

What kind of budget do you have to make this happen?

 

[redneck_reed78]

I think I might have it sold in the next few days for a price I cant argue with. Thanks though guys.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[HotRodPC]

Keep that bitch and LS it.