Newb to Binders

I've been lurking for a while, eating up what I could before actually paying the price of admission...
I'm a newb to the world of Binders, but not new to old cars/trucks.
About a month ago I purchased a new project; a '77 Traveler, 345, 727 with 3.54 gears, AC, 8-track player (my favorite feature), and swanky 70s tartan/plaid interior (rear seat looks ok, but the front needs reupholstering).
Since I purchased the Scout, my daughter and I rebuilt the 2 bbl holley and got it running, topped off all the fluids, replaced the fuel pump, new calipers, and have driven it around the farm a bit. For tenability, I found a 4bbl square bore manifold, and am planning on swapping on an Edelbrock, as I am very familiar with them, and have been happy with their performance (not that I expect much, if any gains going to a 4 bbl...).
I have requisitioned some old slot mags and BFG 33 MTs that I will mount up once I get the center bores machined (damn hub), and the 4' suspension lift from Rough Country. I had hoped to have more completed by now, but I had back surgery only a couple weeks after my purchase, then had some complications, all of which has slowed my progress considerably. Over the winter, I plan to drop the trans/xfer case and replace seals, etc. and convert to a twin stick.
The quarters and rockers have some cancer, but I plan to put my new welder to good use after I get it into good running order.
Thought I'd introduce myself and say hey. I'm in southern Idaho but have lived all over the country/world. My 11 year old daughter will likely inherit the Scout some day, so she does a lot of the grunt work. My wife, too, has been a trooper, doing some of the really heavy lifting. She's a good woman.
I'll post pictures later, or else it didn't happen.

 

The 4 bbl wakes them up some.
Common mistake is going too big.
These things are low rev.
390 holley is a great size. (I'm not familiar with edelbrock sizing)
U can bump your timing up some too. Maybe around 8. If it pings you can knock it back.

 

Was hoping to go with an edelbrock 500, but I can get the 600 from my wife's work for a lot cheaper. I read several reports of guys using the 600 and downsizing jets with good results.
The wife and I pulled the intake and valley pan, and started cleaning the pan for reinstall after paint. Should have her done in another day or two.

 

Awesome that your wife helps with pulling the intake! Those are heavy.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

Finally got some pictures uploaded....

 

Many thanks... kind of a ludite

 

Had
some more post-op complications, so the going had been slow. I've uploaded some more photos to my gallery. Since the last post, I've installed the 4 bbl intake all cleaned and painted, the edelbrock 1406 (tried to fit an autolite 4100 without success ), valve covers and gaskets, new hoses, power steering pump, master cylinder and booster, and removed the a/c compressor (in preparation for a sanden), and removed the radiator. The new aluminum radiator should be here in a couple days.
Before I fire it up again, I still need to drop the oil pan to paint and replace the gaskets, run new hard fuel line, and top off fluids.
I finally got around to getting the slot mags machined to fit the Hub. Should be mounted tomorrow.

 

Top end looking good

 

New radiator came in today. Got it installed and even got my rims back from machining and tires installed. There is not much room for steering until I get the lift installed, but at least it looks like a scout now instead of a station wagon.

 

New radiator installed New rims

 

Got the fuel line run and picked up the correct vacuum fittings for brake booster and pcv. Will get it all put together later. Only need to drop the oil pan to paint and replace the gasket. Got some coolant in the oil when I pulled the intake, so oil change was needed anyway.

 

Got the oil pan off yesterday. .. what brainiac decided to use Phillips head machine screws at the rear? Guess who's drilling out one of them..
Once I get the chance, I'll clean it and the flex plate cover. Good thing I decided to drop the pan... I found the fuel pump had been leaking gas into the oil. Smelled like old gas too.

 

Not much paint left

 

Got the oil pan painted, ran fuel lines, topped off fluids, and fired her. Runs great! Took it for a spin down the road and tore up the front tires turning around and backing into the garage. Really need to order the lift. .. after Christmas .
still need to find an air cleaner, get a stronger throttle spring or attach it elsewhere, then figure out why I can't get into park. Then the real work begins.

 

Made progress on the scout this weekend. .. got my wife some great presents, and she said my present will be the lift! Of course she said I have to wait until next month, but she's in.

 

Shes getting you the lift? Sounds like you've got a keeper!

 

She is "allowing me" to get the lift... Yeah, she's a keeper. Its always cheaper to keep her.