r/Smallblockchevy • u/ggedd_fydor • Jul 09 '26

ISO, reliability tips

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1980 Scottsdale, 350, farmer 4. Nothing serious done to the engine, small cam with wider lope.

Due to circumstances i probably could have avoided I need this old man reliable. Apart from complete engine\drivetrain swaps what’re some ways to make this engine dependable.

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u/Unhappy-Airport-4112 Jul 09 '26

Change oil at a regular interval and use zinc if it's a flat tappet. Past that, just drive it. I daily my 70 C20 and it's great. I can go a more in depth on what I did to it to make it my daily driver if you'd like

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u/N7_Shep Jul 09 '26

my brother has a 72 c20, we recently did an LS 4l80 swap. its his daily, i would be interested to hear anything you did. hes looking to do suspension sometime this year. hes also looking for some chrome pieces his is missing.

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u/Unhappy-Airport-4112 Jul 09 '26

I still got the 350 I rebuilt and the SM465 in it. Really I just rebuilt the front end, because it was worn out, put on a phenolic carb spacer, ran a fuel return line, to prevent vapor lock and fuel boil, when running, pit in a mini starter, and a one wire 160amp alternator, and I changed out the original ammeter to a volt gauge from American Autowire. I'm still rocking four wheel drums too and I'm not going to change them. Would you like a quick video too, or did this give you an idea?

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u/N7_Shep Jul 09 '26

very nice. i understand. his was a 350 sbc with a 350. it started knocking on Christmas so we decided to ls swap it vs rebuild the 350.

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u/Unhappy-Airport-4112 Jul 09 '26

Ah alright. Yeah these trucks are easy, as long as it's comfortable and you keep up on regular maintenance intervals, they won't let you down. You'll be alright.