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Have wanted a 49 thru 53 Chevy Pickup for years but finally retired and bought a 52 with a 235. Very solid truck, great patina body but the engine has a bad miss and pops. I planned on taking a compression test to see if I have any dropped cylinders then proceed from there. Has anyone tried the Offenhauser set up with a 4bbl, or three singles, etc? Just want to get nostalgic with it. I have a truck 409 that has been in my garage for over 25 years that need built. Should I go Offenhauser or get the 409 built?
New guy here,
Rich

That's like asking if it's better to get beaten to death with a stick or a piece of chain. Neither option is one I'd choose. The 409 is way too wide, and too heavy, and the multi-carb idea is just silly on a 235.
Jerry

I think I would remove the valve cover first to see if a push rod has been bent due to a valve sticking.

Pull the spark plugs to see if one is oil or gas fouled.

May be a simple fix.

If it was me in your place, I would get the 235 running right before starting to investigate the hot rod route. Agree on the compression check, that is a good first step after a good clean up of the gas tank and checking the rockers like RR said. If the engine runs now, even with really bad compression it can still run well and you can do a good diagnosis. All you MAY need to do is clean it up.

I see the odd multi carb setup where two are just fakes. I am wondering if this is a trend.

More like a necessity in order to achieve the 'look' of trippps and still get the thing to run isn't it?

I think the 409 or trips idea is strictly up to the owner. Everyone has their own ideas to make their truck what THEY like. There are a few 50-53 trucks running around here with 409's in them and the fit just fine and run like a bear.

Sounds like your mind was made up before you asked the question. You probably don't need any help, so just drive on with whatever you think is a good idea.

Rich, I also agree with the above statement! Go with what you invisioned of what you want! I just seen a 53 with all modern drive train and powered by a 261. Yes it's no where near original but man it's nice! I went the stock route, brings back many memories as I drive it. You never mentioned what model you have? Also throw up some pics. Where In Pennsylvania are you?
Good luck with your build!!
jim

Sounds like ya'll have hurt the new guys feelings. Classic example of the newbes not knowing where to post their questions. Had this been posted in the HiPo Shop everyone would be happy. In his defense the site is large and the rules are plentiful and most don't bother to read them anyway. So cut the guy some slack and play nice and Woj this goes for you too. Remember Santa is watching you!

Woj, do what makes you happy. You can't put a price on HAPPY. Personally I think 348-409's are neat looking engines.

I wonder if anyone who is impressed with the "cool" factor of the 348/409 engines has ever actually tried to work on one? I remember them when they were new. They're a poorly-designed P I T A to do anything beyond a tune-up on, and the performance is poor compared to either the straight valve cover big blocks or the mouse motors. Those engines were originally intended for high torque applications in medium-duty trucks, and when the supercharged 57 Ford 312's started outrunning the 283 Chevy on the drag strip, Chevy got panicky and put a 3-carb version of the 348 in the 58 Impala. It was a real dog then, and 50+ years hasn't improved it any.
Jerry

HRL I understand what you're talking about. But in my eyes they're still KOOL looking engines.

Speaking of a "dog": the 1958 Impala "big box" body was one big dog.
What's not to love about this 3-deuce 1-cleaner 348?

One carburetor (the center one) at work until you pushed down on the foot feed (throttle).

The 348 was a just a good old truck engine.

Those vacuum-operated outboard carbs had a nasty habit of sticking in the wide open position- - - -it made for some real excitement in traffic, or on a dead-end street! Olds and Pontiac had the same system, with the same problems, but those engines had a lot more torque than the Chevy!
Jerry

Had 58 Impala 348 X 3 carbs when in the military and shortly afterward. Rebuilt the engine in 67 and it ran great for the time. It wasn't the fastest thing around but it was no slouch. Had just outran a 348 with 2 4's when I wrinkled it up REAL bad, and me too, going to another spot for more drag racing. (The next victim would have been a 66 Chevelle.
Couldn't see the speedo hand when I got behind on my steering out on a lonely dark country road....got some pics somewhere around here, and still carrying the scars too!!

Woj;

I'm kind of halfway between Jerry and everyone else on this issue. I tend to be more of a nostalgic purist but I understand everyone's desire to have a cool/unique truck.

First thing I would do is get the existing 235 running right. It is a great engine and provides all the performance you really need. This is a classic case of having to balance what you want with what you need. Having a good running motor in your truck will give you time to scheme/dream about other alternatives.

After that, based on what I've heard about the challenges of multiple carbs (poor performance due to over-carbing and hassle to get synched correctly) if your only choices are multiple carbs or running a 409, I'd go with the 409. Like Jerry says, you may have some size and weight issues to deal with but they can be handled. The other option is to run the two dummy carbs and one real one on the three pack intake. To me that seems a bit like cheating. All the cool points go out the window when you have to hang your head when someone asks you a pointed question and admit that only one of the carbs is plumbed for fuel .

Having a cool truck is only cool as long as it is still easy to maintain and fun to drive. When the bling factor starts to affect your enjoyment and the usability of the truck it starts not to be cool anymore.

Anyway, that is a long way of saying it's up to you. It depends on how much work you want to put into the installation and maintenance of your truck. Hard to compare/contrast the workload involved in installing a big V-8 vs. making three carbs work on a straight six. Compare the "cost" of all those cool points with the ease and reliability of leaving a good running original 235 in it. Make sure you go into this with your eyes wide open and keep us posted on what you decide to do.

Also for some inspiration check out Laroke's installation of a 4-71 blower on his 235.

http://www.laroke.com/larryk4674/2015/wip67.htm

Thanks to everyone for their input as it is great to see and read various ideas. First some house keeping issues;
Having been in the military for 23 years and being a management/union negotiator for numerous years it take a lot to offend me. Second, I am sorry if I posted in the wrong forum, however after reading the responses I think I posted exactly where I intended. I agree that the 409 is not the best driveability choice but I grew up in the 60's and most of us did not have the incomes as today's hot-rodders. 283' and 327's we hot stuff then but I bought my 409, that needs built, for $200 and it has sat covered in my garage for over 25 years.
My plans were just like Larry 58 Burb stated and that is to get it running and drive it all of next summer. After that I may look into dropping the axle and look into the 409 idea. My reason for the 409 is the nostalgia 60's looks. The rest of the 5 Window is to just add some 50's touches. We did not have Cadillac seats, nor power anything, nor punched out 350's, nor a $10,000 paint job but we did sing along to She's real fine my 409!!!

I don't usually get into a back and forth p...in match but your post only had 1 idea having to do with what your truck was born with. All the rest had to do with multiple carbs and a big V8. Which are performance or hi-performance modifications. Those questions belong in the HiPo Shop forum. The reason you got the responses you wanted is because Bolters responded to your post whether or not it was in the right place. It's what we do. Your first response gave the impression you didn't like being told what you didn't want to hear. I'm glad you are thick skinned and not easily offended because if you choose to modify your truck you just might get some ribbing from quite a few of our resident purists unless you do post in the HiPo Shop. Good luck with your project which ever way you go.

Thanks for your honesty! I did get some ideas such as the possible bent push rod that needs to be looked into. I am starting with a compression test then a new set of Delco plugs, cap rotor wires contacts and wires in order to eliminate these items. Next will be to rebuild the gas leaking carb. Once this is complete and if it still runs rough or pops what would be my next logical move?

Check for trash in the gas tank or varnish in the float bowl of the carb. The carb float needle/seat may have an intermittent trash, or sticky needle problem preventing the needle from seating, allowing fuel in after the bowl is full leading to carb "leak".
Carl

I have just been through the cracked heads adventure on two different engines. Cracks let water into the cylinders and they stumble. Water may also drip out the tail pipe.

Perhaps I missed it but just how long if at all has this truck set w/o being used? Check the oil for signs of water and or gas. Missing and popping can mean burnt/stuck or warped valves. You may get lucky as many have done and a tune up will cure the ills. Get er fixed and go have some fun.