Hi,
I am a new member and should spend a lot of time searching for my answers before posting such a basic question. I am sure you guys have answered these questions before but I have already taken tools to the job.

My truck is an all original '72 C20 4-barrel 350 with 125K miles. Have owned it for 16 years. Love it! Last year I broke a timing chain in the middle of the OR mountains and had to have it repaired by a local Chev dealer. Since the valves dinged the pistons a few push rods got bent. I had the chain replaced and I limped home. I took the heads off and did a valve job and replaced the bent push rods. The pistons hits were minimal. Put it back together and put 2500 mi on it. Since this started it has run rough--esp at idle. As it turns out the mechanic didn't put new gaskets when he did the timing chain and that is the source of the oil leak. Since I have it torn down, I bought a new mild cam to stick in while I have it apart. I am also going to replace all the push rods. My theory is that the banging on the valve train hurt a lifter causing the miss. But the cost of the cam with new lifters was so small it is worth the effort.


So the question. I was thinking of puting one of the Edelbrok performer carb and manifold but some local guys said it was a wast of money since the GM+QJ is a very good combination. What do you guys think? I am not that interested in performace but am in reliabilty, fuel milage and smoothness. The only other mod that I am planning is a 700R4 upgrade because the cheapo replacement TH350 I put in has a vibrating TC.

Sorry for the long winded post but I need to get the beast back on the road. Thanks for your opinions.

john.