The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk decisions decisions.. ??????

I was thinking about the 3100 series and I was thinking on getting one in the future... but now I am thinking about a '72 Chevy C/K SWB ( short wheel base ) possible 4x4. what insight would my fellow "bolters" or "Bolterellas" ( bolterellas is what I came up with to offer respect to lady bolters) have on these, say a '53 verses a '72 ? although I do like the 5 slat horizontal grill of the '47 to "53 , My most favorite body style is hands down the '72. one more bonus is the '72 is the same age I am ... lol Am I understanding correctly that the '72 had ,or had available a in line 6 cyl 250 or 292 engine? I would like to stay away from 8 cyl because my assumption is the 6 cyl. would have better gas mileage. I would appreciate some insight on this and welcome your wisdom.

Bottom line is buy what you like! In this case it sounds like you have a great affection for the '72. Just for your information the 6 cyl will NOT get better fuel mileage than the V8. The V8 doesn't have to work as hard as the 6 to get the truck up to speed. A rough guess would be 10-14 mpg with the 6 and 12-16 with the V8. Others will disagree and some will agree but in the end do what you like.

thanks for your thoughts! I appreciate it.

I had a daily driver '69 with a '85 305 V8 and a TH350 automatic transmission and I got closer to 18 MPG. I don't know what my rear end gears were, but I would guess they were 3.08 to 1 based on hole shots were only possible on loose gravel and it wasn't screaming at highway speeds.
The thing is, the '69 did not turn heads like my daily driver '50 does. They both had similar well-aged paint jobs.
Having said that, I would jump all over a fully restored '67-'72 if the price was half way reasonable. I do miss my '69.

Hi Wendell,
There's an easy solution to your dilemma - buy one of each! IMHO there are pros and cons to each; the 50's has much more cool factor/head turner and uniqueness, while the 72 should have more get up and go, for example. But if you can only get one truck right now, get the one that pulls at your heart the most (then later you can get the other as your second truck). And I like the term Bolterellas!
Samantha

I'm a big fan of the 1971/72 trucks as well.

They offered both the 250 and 292 6-cylinder engines as well as the 307, 350 & 400 V8's. The 400 V8 was not available in the K series.

Mike B

I've had the 69 and a 71..............but I like my OLD stuff better

Hey, as mentioned, buy what YOU can be happy with and remember, One is never enough

Thank you for your input , I appreciate it greatly. Also glad you like the ''Bolterellas'' Wendell-ism ! At the moment it is only a dream to have a old truck, but at least it is a start. I am still contemplating the many factors and variables involved both financially and other wise. my goal is to have a reliable, simple vehicle. WITHOUT a COMPUTER. that I can repair and maintain myself rather simply. I don't like sitting low like in a car, but I really do not need four wheel drive,the only way I have seen to get the ride height I desire is to have and old truck or get four wheel drive. As stated earlier the '72 is my hands down favorite style. so the anxiousness continues but it will have to wait until I find that pound of $100's.

Don't do that, you'll never get started.
This hobby is built on impulse buys and sheer determination.

Steve

When I began looking for an old truck more than 10 years ago, I was looking for a 67-72 pickup truck. I love that series and I used to have one, a 1968 GMC. But how I ended up buying a 1953 panel truck instead, is something I forgot already. Also, I just love the six cylinder engines.

Leaf springs, straight axle, manual steering, standard transmission, hot and often stinky, 50 mph, lots of wind noise
VERSUS coil springs, A-arms and ball joints, power steering, choice of standard or automatic, roomy interior with available a/c, easy 70mph cruising, quiet enough to carry on a conversation in a normal voice. Which do you want? I chose the slow stinky one cause it's just so darn cool.

What kind of fuel mileage do you get in your 1953 6 cyl. and which one is it? 216,235,250,292?

Hey Wendell, my 1953 has a newer 261 in it, by newer, I mean 1958-60. But before the 250s came out. Rear gears are swapped to 3.55:1 with original transmission, torque tube, carb... I travelled 1000 miles each way to KC and got 22 miles per gallon.

1953 panel, I thank you very much for your input. I find it interesting! What was your average cruising speed? I also am assuming you mean a 216 and the 261 is a typo?

both are very cool for different reasons.IMO

that is a fine look'in piece of machinery !! that Panel truck I mean.

Hey Wendell

The older AD style trucks are cool as heck but if your heart is leaning towards a 72 style...get the 72 but keep looking for a AD style truck for later on to fix up...

My 2 cents...

MikeC

thanks for your 2 cents, I do appreciate it!

I've owned so many trucks and old cars, that I have to spend some serious thought processing to remember them all. But I can tell you this, from my experiences, the old stuff has soul. My driver is the 64' that belonged to my grandparents, and it's the truck I got my DL in when I was 15. I drive it every where, (just finished a 2500+ miles trip) and pulled a car trailer all the way home from Kansas, and every time I stopped for fuel, someone wanted to ask about it. It gave me a few moments where I was wondering what I was doing attempting this adventure, but with the right frame of mind, that's what it was all about. An adventure. We made it home, I've got lots of new memories, met lots of good people, and now I can start working on the 38' that I've been trying to get home for over 3 years.
You can ask 20 people the same question, and get 20 different answers about which truck is the best. The only thing to remember is that it's going to be your ride, done your way, so pick the one that trips your trigger. In time, with a little luck, you'll be able to own several. Good luck, and know that the folks on this site are some of the best people you'll ever meet and they all share a passion to keep the old stuff alive and going.
Id rather drive my old truck than have a new one in the drive.
Tramp

Thank you greatly "Tramp" that is a really good letter you wrote. I am glad that you have shared your adventure!

so many trucks and so little means.. lol I am curious as to what model years are the least expensive and easiest to find parts for. My favorite style is the '72 , but I am also growing an affection for the '47- '53 advanced design 5 slat grill models...

The 261 is not a typo. You can look it up somewhere in the links. Mine is a car engine, we had 261s in our Pontiacs here in Canada.

I drove whatever the speed limit was. Even when it was 70 mph. The last several hundred miles, I had to go 63 mph because otherwise John couldn't keep up.

Yep , the 261 is real , no typo .
My 1954 261 Chevrolet engine
1954 261 engine

thank you for your replies fellas!