The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop engine, trans and rearend swap 1950 truck

I always want to ask what a 'nice truck' means to you. For some guys that's a trophy winning show truck, for others its a truck that is pleasant to drive every day, and for others its something different or inbetween.

As you listen to responses remember the guy answering may have a different idea of nice truck than what you do.

I think you'll be happier with the outcome if you've spent a little time thinking about how you'll use the truck, how much work you are willing or able to do yourself, and how much money you can or are willing to spend.

While you can shoehorn a Chevy smallblock under the hood with little prep, you will find a few issues make it more complicated. The steering column and box are where your exhaust manifold wants to be. The crossmember holding up the rear of the motor (under the bellhousing) will interfere with almost any automatic transmission. That's the first two that come to mind, there are others.

More important is that more power is likely to mean more speed. The aged stock brakes were not designed for the speeds the truck will now be capable of.

I'd suggest taking a few minutes to write down how you want to use the truck, and then think through how that impacts the various systems. Then turn that into a plan.

Last time I went through this exercise I dropped some of my ideas because the truck was getting too expensive. But now when I see something at a swap meet, I know if it fits the plan and budget or not.

When I see something cool that doesn't fit the plan I like to buy it anyway and set it aside for the next project. Seems to work well for me, I have five projects and have found a candidate for number six...