(I tried searching for info before I posed....)
1952 GMC 3/4 ton pickup
228 I-6 w/ 4 speed
4.56 ? rear end
99% original (what ever that means to an old farm truck) Used, not abused!!! Three dents, not counting the tail gate (ya know how those looked)
Problem:
Cracked block. It's leaking coolent on the left side of the engine, just in front of the drain plug. No oil contamination, so it's probably just an exterior crack. Original engine, never been opened up at all.... so it's tired. Was parked in 1970/71 when a 'new used 3/4 ton Chevy replaced it' and started again in 1990/91. Block looked fine for a few years and just recently showed....not sure if it might have been 'old damange' or just my dumb rear not putting enough anti in it..... People have said it could be 'welded'...some even said use JB weld?!
A friend is 'parting out' his cousin-in-law's 75 Chevy Nova. He said I'm welcome to the 250 I-6 motor. According to the Chilton books, the specs for the 75 250 in cars and trucks were the same. 105Hp (I assume net at the wheels) I know that this new six mounts w/ side of the engine mounts. And I know it's not going to bolt up to my tranny........so.....
I've thought about looking for an other engine: 248, 270 But GMC's were rare here. This would be the 'easist?'....no tranny swaps.
If I swap motors-Tranny options: Auto or Manual??? Is there a five speed out there that will mate w/ this engine.... But that brings up trying to get the original clutch linkage to work w/ the new setup. I seem to think the simplest solution is to put in an automatic tranny, but ..... is there one that has an overdrive out there. I'd like to go at least 50mph w/ out straining the engine.
I'm sort of on a tight budget. I know that swapping, I'll need a new engine crossmember (or make my own) to mount the 250. And if I don't get the tranny, will have to get one. It might be a 250 tranny in the Nova & a tranny crossmember/mount.
Options, comments, suggestions........
Thanks.
Kaliburz
