The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline match up ?

Hey fellas , I am sad to say the old 235 in my 52 panel started to knock really bad .. not that there is a good kind of knocking in an engine.. anyway.. I am thinking about putting in a 350 V8 and a 5 speed manual transmission. I am looking to stay with old school carbs and NONE of that electronic computer controlled foolishness. So my question is what transmissions would you recommend for such a marriage ? I don't think my little 3 on the tree would hold up to the power of the beloved V8...

I'm getting old so my opinion Is one sided......if your going V8 go with a 700R4 automatic and save the shifting. Your legs will love it and the overdrive is definitely worth it.
......I had a 350 automatic in my 52 panel and switched to a 700R4, like my 37, and man what a difference. No more changing gears for me. (Well the 50 coupe is 3 on the tree, dang it)

I appreciate your reply , am I wrong to think a manual transmission would get better MPG?
also I am wondering how I would delete the third pedal, and if my 3 on tree shift linkage would hook up to a automatic . Or if I stayed with a manual I would need to change the steering column. also would need the pedal portion of the shift linkage to hook to a 5 speed manual?

Wendell, you are at a crossroads. You need to make up your mind, we can't do it for you, whether or not you want stock or restomod. Stock has a certain cool factor but restomod has a driveability advantage. If you go down the restomod route you will change everything from steering column to the driveshaft. I'm starting down that very road with my '62 today. Parts are on order and kits are available. Do it your way.

thanks for your reply . I do appreciate it . I am smart enough to know what I don't know... so I don't want to make mistakes that could be avoided. I am trying to figure out what my way is ... part of it is getting opinions, and information I may not know about , I want to make smart choices. and have a good out come . I do not wish to annoy or upset anyone. I understand the final choice is mine... or my wallet's perhaps....lol. This is my first project automobile...

Years ago, I had a Willys wagon. I blew up the original hurricane 6 (inline flathead 6) and replaced it with a 302Ford. (Kept the original manual steering and manual trans). Then I blew reverse playing up in the snow and split the side of the trans. I replaced it with a C-4. Somewhere along the way, I decided that power steering would be nice so, I added that. By the time I was all done, I had a stock Willys body, on a stock frame with all the springs and drivetrain completely non-stock. It was so much nicer to drive and wheel with once I got all the mods done! no more clutch pedal and manual steering when crawling around in the hills!

That said, my 58 2-ton is all stock except the engine that the previous owner put in.....

In the end, it is entirely up to you! As Martin and Alvin said, stock is cool but driveability may lead to more actual driving and more enjoyment!

thank you for your reply.

With the cost and work involved in the swap.............my way of thinking MPG would not make the top 10 on the decision tree.