The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Which engine should I choose???

I just bought a 53 6400 dually flatbed w/hoist for use as a work truck and want to beef it up. I have to choose between two available engines, either a smallblock Chevy 350 or an Olds Rocket 88 (not sure what size, but it looks bigger than the 350). Any advice on which would make a more powerful engine for this truck? Everything I find says they were very similar engines, so how can I know which one will deliver the most HP?

The bigblock Olds has far more torque, which is more desirable when working with bigger loads, but either way it's a challenge installing a V-8 engine in the older trucks. The main obsticle will be the steering. Some people shim the steering box away from the frame but I redesigned my whole steering system and relocated it away from the engine altogether. Good luck and welcome to the Stovebolt. If you need more info on the V-8 conversion, there's plenty of people onboard that's done it, all you gotta do is ask,
Scott

I'd probly go with the 350. With a v8 1/2 ton pickup bell houseing and some motor mount work you can use your 420 tranny with pto. You can use a steering box from a 3/4 ton Dodge 4x4 and have power steering. The dodge box requires a little bracket building and a custom drag link but can be done.

Which year of Dodge 4X4?

I would go with the 350 just for the parts availaboilty and the amount of stuff out there for cheap. The other motor may have more torque but a 350 is easy to work on and you will not run into wierd parts that are specific to your engine only. I am not bad mouthing th rocket but the 350 is chevy's meat and potatoes. My vote is 350.

Lets not forget gearing;with the Olds you probably won't have the revs you would with the Chevy,and unless you put some work into re-gearing the rear end,you'll be twisting it kinda tight at highway speed.
Speed

Use the Chev 350, parts are cheaper and easier to come by and they go just fine.

Killerknight
I'm not sure of the year on the box I think early 80's. He used the pump, box, and part of the drag link. The box mounted about even with the core support. We shorten the factor steering shaft secured it to the forewall and used two ujoints. The drag link was then custom fit to the truck. This set up cleared the v8 quite well.

It sounds like another good option , I might use it myself if I'm not happy with what I did.Thanks for the information.
Lothar

Thanks for all the replies... I found out that the Olds engine is a 350, made on April 25th, 1972 in Lansing, Michigan (you can find out a lot if you really dig...) I think I'll use it. To fix the rear end gearing issue and the problem of having a straight front axle (rough ride), I plan on getting an old delivery truck (UPS or bread delivery, etc) and swap bodies. That'll also have the added benefit of giving me disc brakes and power steering. We'll see what happens.