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| | | Forums66 Topics128,022 Posts1,055,384 Members48,422 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 24 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 24 | I posted a thread regarding my 52 3100 Pickup regarding putting in a 283 vs a 409. Well, after much reading, and your help, I decided to go with a 283. I luckily found one locally and bought it at a steal. I plan to send it out to a very well known race performance engine builder very soon. I am not going to make a race car out of the engine but just a good looking dual quad engine with a good loping sound and driveability. Now my question regarding the rest of the driveline.
Transmission
4 spd, 5 spd, maybe 6 spd???
If a 5 spd, should it be a Tremec 5 (T5)? If so, I need to find which ones can handle whatever the power from the engine might be.
Rear Axle
Is there a leaf spring axle that bolts right in?Â
I have a 2nd generation Camaro / Firebird (1970-1981) axle that you can use. That is a leaf spring type axle.
Retired Military, Six years Army, Seventeen years Air Force
Army Security Agency High Speed Morse Code Intercepter
Rigger C-130
Master Sergeant 32nd Aerial Port Squadron
Commander American Legion
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | If going to be hauling loads, a Tremec might not be up to it, there are other truck 5 speeds out there.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 24 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 24 | Not going to haul anything just pleasure use. Any suggestions on a good trans and rear end mix?
Retired Military, Six years Army, Seventeen years Air Force
Army Security Agency High Speed Morse Code Intercepter
Rigger C-130
Master Sergeant 32nd Aerial Port Squadron
Commander American Legion
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | A 700R4 Automatic that you will not be sorry you put in.....
A second generation rear end from Camaro but also Nova, Monte Carlo, and even some Oldsmobile and others will do the job.
Even before my retirement I found out the older you get the more your feet/legs and even arms hate a manual shift! | | |
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