1957 Napco Chevy 3100
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Owned by Jay Margerum Join the talk about this truck |
# 2898
From Jay :
Well guys and gals - this old truck is back on the road in the north Dallas Texas area.
I pulled this old girl out of a junk yard over 10 years ago. She ran but was full of mice and such. I dragged her home and was promptly laid off from my job.
Years passed and she waited for me to get my life and money strightened back out - she was very patient with me. 
Last October, I set out to repay her for the long wait.
What you see in these links is my picture history of the build process. Today she is driven daily and there are still only 6 cylinders and three pedals. However, she is an orignal Napco 4x4. The 4x4 kit was insatalled at the dealership in 1958, as marked on the front axle. So, this is fairly rare.
I am in Texas it is freaking hot so I did install aftermarket AC. As a result, I find I need a little more power. Pulling out into traffic can get interesting. So I am looking for some more low end grunt. And I don't want a V8.
I have Fenton Dual Exhaust, stock cam, and a 15 year old rebuild (only 3000 miles or so). I have stock 3.90 gears, but this being a 4x4 - 33 inch tall tires (nearly the same size as was installed in 1958). I have the SM420 4 speed ultra low transmission 1st is 7.5:1, so I am always starting in 2nd. I have a single Rochester on it now, and a spare on the shelf for when the dual intake arrives.
Since this truck is fairly rare, I don't really want to change any of the primary components like the I6 or the SM420. This truck has a stock cam and I am willign to change it. Did not want a V8 because in 1957, V8s were only available in the GMC trucks - not the Chevy trucks.
The tires work well for running down the road - 60mph = 2300 rpm.
As far as an axle swap, the front axle is basically a custom axle from 1958, so unless ring and pinions are being made for the stock 1957 10 bolt axles in 4.56:1 that would not be an option either.
I may just steal the electric AC compressor from a Prius and use that. Then no engine HP loss as the altenator is already draggin on the crank.
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