I've spent most of my time (& money) playing with middle 50's Ford F100's. I gave up that hobby. Now I'm looking to keep out from under foot around the house in retirement & need something to play with. A 58 GMC 450 4x4 caught my eye. Aftermarket Howe conversion. Not ever having done a rebuild on a heavy truck, updating the Engine & Transmission stumps me. It currently has what the former owner says is a 302 straight six going through a 5 speed with hi/lo range transfer case. 1st question- what will bolt up to that transmission? I'd like to put in a 350V8 ( 400 small block would be better but finding one...) Then the idea hit that at my age, automatic would be nice. I have the 350v8 setting out back still bolted to the TH350 transmission but would that get the truck rolling with a load in hi/street range of the transfer case? the 6 cylinder in the truck currently does not start. Former owner a young guy & I'll bet never seen points before but when I bought the truck I calculated in for bad motor just in case.... Any one have any suggestions? Being 4x4 with plow & I'm up in ther mountains I would like to have it as a driveway backup plow truck. To that end I'd rather not go down the diesel road again....
