The old big trucks are geared LOW, man.. they got plenty of power, but won't get you anywhere fast.
I'm into old trucks not just because I like the look, but I like the experience. I often say my old trucks are my time machine.. just hop in, hit the stomp starter and you're instantly transported back to (in my case) 1946 or 1950.
The sound of the engine, that big wheel.. the smells, the sounds, the feel.. when you keep 'em stock, it's just like you were back in that time.. toolin' down a country road.. big cigar hangin' out of my mouth, and a [censored] eatin' grin on my face you could see a country mile away.
Dropping a 350 in there, changing out the suspension, putting a modern steering column in, adding air conditioning and power windows.. the way I see it, if you're going to go thru all that hassle, you might as well buy a newer truck in the first place.
I've never done it.. but from all that i've read, a 350 isn't a "drop in" replacement. Not only do you have the steering column/box in the way, but there seems to be a good deal of chopping to get a radiator big enough to cool off a 350 to fit under the hood.
My '46 2 ton tops out at about 55MPH, and can pull anything i've chained to the back (with or without a bed full of junk)
It may not run low 9's at the track, or smoke the tires off when I dump the clutch, but it's a truck. It's meant to lug heavy stuff around and work.
But at the end of the day, it's your truck, and you should do with it what makes YOU happy and suits YOUR needs.
