I am working on restoring a 68 chevelle 396 SS convertible with a 2 speed powerglide. The motor is a L35 (325hp).

I am planning on freshing up the motor but was wondering how much will it hurt the valve of the car if I install a new intake, Al heads, hyd roller cam, forged rods and pistons?

The rest of the car will be going back as original expecet the color will be slight different from stock (Cordovan Maroon) to more of a burgundy. Also will replace the drum brakes with disk and installing air conditioning.

This is a numbers matching car with only 40k original miles. It is rough shape sitting in a barn in freeport for the past 26+ yrs. Alot of rust.

So would it be wise to refresh the original motor and leave stock to keep it's value or will doing the changes above hurt it?

I wish I know where to check to see how many 68 verts were left since only 2,286 were produced.

Thanks
Kurt

If you keep all the original parts, it won't affect the value much. Anyhting that can be undone easily is OK.

Smoothing the firewall, tubs in the back, sheet metal modifications (shaved doorhandles, etc.), dashboard changes all reduce value IMO for top end cars.


Good luck with your project, build it how YOU like it! That way when you are done you will enjoy it.

Any time you deviate from original it will impact the value. Bolt on changes that are easy to change back are not that significant. With the other changes you are making to the car anyway (color variation, a/c, brakes) I wouldn't worry about it. It's your car, enjoy it, but keep in mind the mods that you are making will be money down the drain and it will cost you again to return it to stock for maximum resale should you ever go down that road.

I'd say keep it discreet. If you go aftermarket heads/manifold, paint them and grind off the logos. Keep your original parts and set them aside.

For me at least, a vert is a cruiser. No point in building a hot engine. It's not about going fast, but looking cool on the boulevard.

Devin

FYI factory BBC rods are forged.
I would go with an aftermarket cam and keep everything else stock. Get a nice 2.5" mandrel bent exhaust and keep the manifolds.
Your biggest seat of the pants performance mod you can do that would be indiscreet would be to install a TH400

Add the four piston J52 option first (rebuilt with stainless sleeves). Than a steering gearbox from a late model G body. This will allow you to go straight and stop fast, while retaining the origional look. Horsepower can than be added. And keep all the old stuff.