The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk '51 3100 at highway speed

So my wife decided she wanted a 3100 truck and a few weeks later we have one sitting in the workshop.

I am starting the tear down (needs total restoration) and am trying to formulate a plan. She wants an original'ish looking truck but one that is reliable, starts easily, drives at highway speeds (maybe cruises at 70) and brakes well.

Despite wanting it to look fairly original on the outside she is open to slightly more modern drive train options (i.e. a 50s V8 as opposed to a LS1!).

The truck currently has a 235 which looks to be a 55 motor. It has a 3-speed on the floor and a 12-bolt truck axle, gearing ratio unknown.

I guess the question is this...will this combo, or something close to it (change out gears etc) get her to where she wants to be or should I be looking at something bigger?

I had an early 50s Ford truck when I lived back in Ireland and from memory it drove like, well, a truck. I am trying to see whether this truck can be a little less rough around the edges in terms of the driving experience for her.

The way she put it to me was "if I want to drive 500 miles one way to a show, i want to be able to". Will a 235 get that done or am I better off looking for a V8?

Short answer is “No”. Way too much to expect from a stock drive train. Somewhere in the 50-55mph range. If you want to change out the torque tube and put a later tranny in you can get the 235 a lot closer to your goal.🛠

As martin suggested, swapping out the torque tube rear, putting in a newer 6 cyl (235 or bigger) and then adding front disc setup and you will be more on the way to 65-70 mph and being able to stop!

Going is only a small part of it, you want to be able to stop and also have it handle ok at the higher speed! (may want to look at upgrades to leaf springs as well)

If you are looking at a 50's V-8, the main difference as far as looks between a 283 and a 1st gen 350 is going to be breather tube, valve covers and intake manifold (oil filler tube in front of the intake manifiold). Valve covers and intake are easy, breather tube (road draft tube) is probably not something you would want to retrofit onto a newer block anyway, you would want to use a PCV valve.

He said it's already got a '55 235 in it. With proper gearing you should have no problems with driving highway speeds. I regularly drive my '38 216 at 60 with the stock 3.73. A 235 with a 3.55 should be a piece of cake. I'd be more concerned with the brakes than the power train.

The bigger question is what kind of gal are you building this truck for? More of a Cadillac kind of gal, or a lumber wagon kind of gal?
The stock leaf springs and straight front axle will always ride rough. Getting away from that will be expensive and require someone with exceptional skills to get it done right.

paul65,

With your high-pressure 235 engine, and a 3.55 Ring & Pinion conversion (and the associated bearing/gasket/seals/etc kit) and maybe radial tires, you'll easily be able to cruise at 60 mph (1951 3100) on a good highway/Interstate. I did this from Albany NY to Baltimore MD (and, annually to Macungie, PA).

Replace all front end parts (origin speed/design parts are available), and replace spring shackle/pivot/mounting parts, and replace all brake system parts, including lines, and you will drive/stop easily and rest/sleep comfortably.

You're in West Virginia? Let me tell you about my big experiment using a '67 stepside as daily driver in TN. This '67 had an Old Air AC system that cooled things down in the summer, but didn't de-humidify in TN during 40 degree winters with high humidity and rainy drizzle. Think about your modern car. You turn on the A/C to dehumidify and defog AND run the heater at the same time. The Old Air system I had didn't allow that. It was A/C only and yeah if you wanted to endure air conditioner running full blast when it's 40 degrees outside then perhaps it would defog the windows OK. All that to say, driving old iron ain't just about highway speeds. Sometimes ya need a defogger when living in the rainy east. Thanks and praise to the Almighty for putting the wife and I in sunny AZ. I sure don't deserve it!

"Highway Speed" is a relative term. Many, if not most, 2 lane highways out of town are 70 MPH in Montana. The freeways are 80 MPH out of town. I like 40-45.

Budget may well determine the level of comfort/quite of the aforementioned goal of "(maybe cruises at 70) and brakes well". Now the fact is my project budgets are made on a high quality balloon, that way it can expand as the budget inflates. I find a Budget is usually only a suggestion of project cost and it's only value is helping to decide if one is serious in tackling a project.

Good Luck, RonR

Thanks guys, all input appreciated. I just found out about the Homecoming event next month just one state over...so I think I will run along there to get some more ideas. We really just need to decide whether to stick with the 235 and 3-speed or whether to make the switch to an 8 with a front suspension switch.

I know how 50s trucks drive and have warned the wife. I just dont think she appreciates how different it would be to her 55 bird which drove nice and smooth.

Apparently she watched an episode of Garage Squad last night whilst I was out ripping the fenders off of the truck. It was an episode where they worked over a '52 3100. They put an 8 into it along with an IFS setup. SO..something like that might be under consideration now. I need to put a parental lock on the Velocity Channel!

LOL!!!

Paul, just a note, my 53 is restored with stock suspension and there is nothing wrong with how it drives. It is tight, doesn't wander, sure a little stiff but it is a straight axle. If you choose stock suspension and put on some radials, its price point is nicer and I don't think you would be discouraged on the end result.

If it's in good repair the stock suspension should be fully adequate. It will not be as smooth as a car, even a period car. FWIW we ride shared on a VCCA tour in Texas last fall with a couple in their '54 BelAir with a 235 & Powerglide. At the end of the day, on the way back to the hotel after the day's tour, we routinely drove 70MPH on the freeway with NO issues.

The only major changes I made in my '53 3100 is changing the rear gears to 3.55 and radial tires. I've done 500 mile trips and 1000 mile trips. It will top out at 85 mph and it's not the fastest truck at Homecoming. I also am running a 261, looks the same as a 235.

Enjoyed your write up Leo.

Thanks guys. I will head along to the Homecoming next month and try to soak up as much info as I can. I think if it were me I would stick to the 235 and try to stay at least somewhat original but the wife is the boss here, it is her truck. I am just the grease monkey!

As a woman she prioritizes reliability and ease of use and I totally understand why. The last thing she wants is to be somehow stranded on the side of the road.