I've got this 77 Ranchero I was thinking on fixing up. The tranny just died and now I have to decide it's fate.

I either get a stock tranny or a TCI tranny. Difference is about 200 bucks.
TCI tranny is the keep it option, stock is the nah option. I'd need a slightly built tranny to hold my motor. Otherwise I buy the stock one and drive it around till I sell it for a quarter, blow it up, donate it, whatever..

I was hoping to rebuild the engine and generate 400HP. That’s not going to happen. Smog and lack of decent parts. You either get these $$ heads and generate 500HP or have the stockers and generate 300HP grrr..

The car has to be smoged in California forever and always.. no more rollover

It will never be a 'real' classic.

Heavy! Probably never make a good handler out of it.

But I have a have some parts for it. And I don't want to waste them.

What can my new 9" rear end go into with little or no mods? What about the new tranny? No more 351M so I'd have no more need for my edelbrock intake. I could use my carb. Guess I can't do anything with the new weather-stripping and window felt.

 

I feel your pain, as I live in California too. So I got a 72, and am getting 400hp from my 460 with no smog to worry about. If you dont have a lot invested in your 77, considering buying a 75 or older and transfer your good parts.