The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Biased Opinions Wanted

Hello,
I am hopefully buying a '52 Chevy 1/2 ton shortbox tomorrow. It is in ok shape with lots of dents but not much rust and doesn't have an engine or tranny. I plan on rebuilding it to look mostly stock and it will be a weekend driver.
I would like some opinions on whether to go the V8 route (auto tranny, change rear, upgrade brakes, etc.) or go with a 235 (or 262 if I find one) with a few performance upgrades and a rear end gear kit. I'm leaning towards the inline 6 but am not sure about cost and reliability.
Thanks,
Bob

Bob, I am going the V8 route, but I wish I had an additional truck with the inline 6 just to cruise around town. If you are just wanting an old truck to putt around in, I say go with the inline 6. It is easier to put one in and the stock radiator, electrical system, suspension and drive line are made for the 6. On the other hand, if you want to show the punk kids in the Mustangs who's boss, put the v8 in it.

Phil

Bob,

I have a 283 SB in my 55.1. The P.O. had put in the motor and left the original rear end in. At first it was great for putting around town and going to the store.

After a while I wanted to venture a little further away from home where more speed was necessary and now I am swapping rear ends.

I would go the V8 route, I think long term you will be happier.

However, it is your truck and no matter what we say, you go ahead and do what you want to your truck.

-Chris

I have a 235 in my 52 with the s-10 five speed and blazer rear end,,,,,as for as speed,,, you will leave me some-what in a v-8 but on the highway I will end up catching you and go as fast as you want to...Fred

Bob,

I've got a 52 with an early 70's 250-6 cylinder, stock tranny, and rear-end. It's very reliable, and will run down the road very comfortably between 55-60 mph.

I also have a bone stock 46, with a 216. It's not given me a problem, runs like a sewing machine. Down the road, it will run pretty comfortable between 45-50 mph.

I think you really need to determine what you'll be doing with the truck, and how far you think you might want to venture from home prior to making any decision.

I'm partial to keeping the sixes going. Especially if you're going to upgrade the rear gears and throw some other goodies in it.

The V-8 might be nice, but come cruise night, or car show, you'll probably be the rare one if you keep a 6 and split the manifold.

Since it doesn't have an engine or trans in it, I would go with a small block chevy. I have a 235 in my 48 and I plan to go the V8 route eventually. The six would be easier to put in your truck but the small block chevy is cheap,plentiful, powerful and very user friendly.

Smallblock chevy is the only way to go. Easy swap, and chances are you could buy an entire donor car for under $1000 and have nearly every piece you need. Later

Dave

I always lean toward a V/8,however either way will work just fine.Thats a decision you will have to make.A lot of guys here will say go with the inline 6,while others will say go with the V/8.I have a 350 V/8 in mine,and hope that oneday I will be able to do one up with a 6 cyl.One thing for sure they are a lot of fun no matter which way you go.

Go with a 235 or 261. Everybody and his brother use smallblock Chevies. Almost as many use rat motors. Be different. The old 6's are bulletproof, and will endure anything, as long as you don't over-rev them. Good luck, and let us know what you decide.

Hi Bob, welcome to the forums. Did you plan to open up a bucket of worms right off the bat?

There are plenty of biased opinions on this one. It all boils down to what do you want to do with your truck.

Whatever you do you'll find the know-how and how-to right here.

Yeah, kind of expected a can of worms out of this one. I'm not looking to win races so I am tempted to go with an inline 6 with a few performance upgrades. Just wasn't sure about the rebuilding costs and reliability. Got a bit of time to decide yet, not buying the truck until tomorrow.
Bob

i have a 54/235 with a nova rearend 2.73 w/235/70/15 tires has all the speed i need. it is becoming a daily driver i have a s-10 t5 to go into it later this year. i don't want to be without it to long, so i do it in stages. no other commentary. RON

Ok, for what its worth ( not much) I have a 327/ 350 hp/ 4 spd in my '49. It's been in since 1973, has lots of miles and still will blow off my son's 5.0 Mustang. It's great fun, but if I were to build another, I'd stay with a 6 - maybe with a turbo - just to be different. Seems V8 powered AD's are common.

V8 pros: Cheaper, More HP, More parts availability, easier to hop up, Everybody plus your brother has one (maybe that should go in the con column)

I6 Pros: Just way too cool

When I raise my hood, I also raise eyebrows I love it.

No replacement for displacement!
Scott

My new '50 1/2 ton 3100 has the original 216 in it, and it purrs like a kitten.

I got to drive it for about 45 minutes after I got it running (before the clutch went out) and it had plenty of take off and if it lets me do 55MPH comfortably, i'll leave it just the way it is.

Part of the draw for me with these old trucks is the "stock" or "period correct rod" experience.

These old trucks are time machines, man.. they take you back to the glory days of truck building.. you get to experience the same things your fathers or grandfathers did when they drove these trucks back when they were new.

Changing the suspension, engine, rear.. whats the point? So you can have a NOVA or a Camaro with an old truck body?

It's your truck, do with it as you wish, but as for my two trucks, I subscribe to the motto "Go stock, or go home."

If you're hung up on a 6, you could go with a more modern drivetrain without going V8. An open driveline with an auto trans with a 230, or 250 six is also a cheap reliable way to go. The six will also be easier to cool, better on gas and the existing steering linkage will work. Plus its still reasonably easy to find a doner.
Have fun.

For what its worth, my two cents says go with a 235 I-6. They are cheap to aquire, very inexpensive to maintain and you can still "rod" it out if you want and have something that most likely no one else in town will have anything even close to.

Unless you plan on driving hours and hours at a time on the open highway, a good old 235 fixed up right should last you a very long time. I say, save the V8 for your "other" project!

The most important thing is have fun and enjoy your old truck!

I've got three that still have the original sixes in them. One's going to get a 454. I'm thinking about a Northstar for another, but it may get a small block instead, because it's easier.

I don't have a plan for the other one, though I've though about just leaving it stock because that would be different.

It's your truck, keep it that way by keeping or changing the way you want.

Hello,
IMHO the 1954-62 235 is one of GM's greatest engines and their best 6cyl of all time. It was the zenith of the 1920s babbit pounder. By 1954 it was modernized and reached near perfection. Reliability is not an issue.
I your case though, you are missing the engine and transmission. Many small componets that do not come to mind may be missing too. To go with a 235 you need access to all those parts. For a stock or near stock restoration I would reccomend a more complete truck.
It sounds like you want a simple old truck to enjoy. Follow the KISS principle. Keep it simple. For a nice old truck this is what I would do. Rebuild the brakes and the stock suspension. Replace the rear axle with a newer unit. Here are some suggestions. 1st choice 1955 1st Series "good Luck" 2nd choice 55-66 Chevy truck, 3rd 67-72 Chevy Truck,4th 57-72 Ford F-100 "9 inch" and a 69-75 Chevy Nova or later model truck like a K 5. If you go with a Nova or Car pattern axle You can change the front Drums and hubs to a 51-53 Chevy car type. They should slip right on to the stock spindle. A v-8 engine and transmission of 60s or 70s vintage. This avoids computer controlled stuff. One advantage of points in a Chevy small block is a smaller distributor to give you more firewall clearence. A tube type front crossmember is easy to install. This allows you to use the side mounts. A V-8 monted on the front is awlful wobly. Install a transmission cooler under the radiator. A long slim shifter like a Gennie or Lockar would be a nice touch. Old style ram horn manifolds or block hugging headers are a must to clear the steering gear. One trick is to notch the firewall a little towards the driver's door where the steering gear comes through and unbolt the gear on the frame and slide it over little. Drill and remount. This will give you some clearence at the manifold. This will make EVERYBODY mad and I mean everybody. A 289-302 Ford are narrow engines and they fit well in early frames. The distibutor is on the front so the firewall clearence is not an issue. The SBF and C-4 will not know its in a Chevy. This is not my first choice but it does kind of make up for all the Flathead V8s pulled and replaced by the 350-350 combo. My first choice would be a SBC 283-327 or a 350 dolled up with early heads and valvecovers. The early short style water pump is a must to clear the radiator.
In summary I have descibed basicly a stock truck with a newer V-8, rear axle, and automatic transmission added. This is 3x the horsepower over stock but on the stock platform. A true old school hot rod. With a 50s-60s truck rear axle You have a low end torque monster that will top out at about 100mph in a short burst. This setup must be driven responsibly and carefully. It has the power to get away from you and with stock brakes and suspension You won't get it back. Be mature. Be careful.

Go with a 250 six,split exhaust with Smittys and a 3 carb intake with a progressive linkage,an S-10 five speed,and a later pick up or Blazer rear with 3.73 gears. Leave the "BELLY BUTTON" drivetrain to the other guy.You won't regret it every time you see people stop to see what that cool sounding truck they hear is.And you'll look forward to driving it. Don't buy the old arguement of a six being hard to find parts for-you have a whole fan club here to help ya.

I love my old 235 I6 that came in my '56. As a matter of fact I built a nice little wooden platform for in the cornor of the garage where it proudly rests. I grew up on those old 6's and admit they're great old engines...but I'm tired of them. Yeah, everybody and his brother runs small blocks and its because they are great engines too. Sweetest small block I've got is a 283 in my 39 coupe. Ample power,parts available cheap and plentiful. I like seeing the old 6's but not under my hood. My.02 cents

I say make your own decisions.
That being said, I have had a 235 in my 52 one ton for about 6 years, It has been extremely reliable, and easy to work on and get parts for. I drove it around the country, (8,000 miles in 28 days), with no engine problems.
I rebuilt it with the idea of keeping my truck mostly stock, now I want something with more power, speed, and better gas mileage. So I am going with a 4 cylinder.
Now that will be something different! Ever seen a 4 cylinder in an AD Chevy?

A four cylinder Detroit Diesel with turbo, 185 HP at 2,500 and 435 FtLb at 1,500, should get about 20 mpg empty. I'll let yall know how it goes when I am done.

hey Bob. Glad to hear you have found a truck!! I would like to see some pictures of it!!! as for the disussion, I would like a performance 6 over any V8. Their is just something about showing off your truck, opening the hood and the suprised look on someones face when they can see the ground!! I have a 216 in my 53 and it runs good around the place (not road legal yet). I have a 235 in my 60 and it runs pretty good(needs a overdue tuneup). I also have a 230 in my 64. The 230 has lots of zap (the 4.10 gears help to ). As much as I enjoy the 230, its getting a 350 just like everybody else... I would prefer a built six. You decide. and good luck!

None of you I-6 fans have mentioned the 261? :confused:

You'll get at least as many different responses as there are members here. My vote would be smallblock V-8. I think a 283 would be nice.

Regards,
Wannabe

Bringing the truck home on Friday, turns out it is a '50 not a '52. Leaning a bit towards putting a 261 with the stock 3 spd transmission but want to look at how much it would cost to buy and rebuild a 261 first.
I'm a bit short on garage space for the next year or so, can anyone tell me roughly how long a '52 1/2 ton shortbox is from bumper to bumper?
I will try to put up some pictures soon, it's a real project truck though.
Bob

Bob,

I am building my '52 3100 shortbox with a 261, 3:55 gears, Saginaw Tranny, dual intake and split exhuast. I went for a ride in one of Patricks trucks and I was sold on this combination.

It has been a blast working on the old iron and seeing how things were built back then.

If your thinking about building a 261 give Patricks a call and they'll give you more information then you can stand.

http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/

Aaron

Bob,

You should ask yourself what your purpose is for your truck. That will answer your question. All you'll get here is opinions (including mine) . Consider:

Ease of working on it (simplicity)
Availability of parts
Cost (initial & down the road)
Performance

I'm sure I've left a few out. For me, I lean heavily on being inexpensive, and ease of working on it. I ended up with a straight 6, but yet a 292 (not the smaller one, as I understand it). I just picked it up Monday. I look under the hood and am amazed at HOW MUCH ROOM there is for me to get around. Also, the simplicity, VERY LITTLE WIRING to deal with under the hood.

Make your own requirements and that should point you to what route you'd be best taking. But most of all, I hope you have fun with it.

Rance

ok here is your "off the wall" :rolleyes: susgestion
put a chevy 6.2 deisel in it
will fit just as good as BB chevy
have more torq then six and get just as good milage when cruising
bet you would have the only truck like it in the state
I am in the proccess of putting one in my outher truck (68 4x4) so far its relitively simple

might not be the best route if you dont know any thing about those types of engines :confused:

BobH, It's really easy to put in the chevy 292 inline 6. With a cam, decent carburation and the right gears you can get as much tourque and horses as any V8. I put one in my 70 suburban 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive with a 4.10 gears and have had it up to 105 mph when I chickened out. With the propane pistons you get 9:1 compression. Take a look at all the speed equipment at clifford speed equipment. I put on in a 54 6100 and made a real hauler. It's a natural fit and the it caqn really haul. Redcoat

I have a couple of 292 cu. in. 6 cyl. engines, built up a bit and put out 350 H.P. enough to beat up on most street driven V-things. My 2400 lb. '32 Chev. pickup will probably run mid 12 sec. et's. I put hundreds of thousands of miles on 235's, probably the most bullet proof engine ever built. My '53 bone stock with Fenton Headers ran 16 flat e.t's at 80 MPH back in 1954. Go with the 6 cyl. you won't regret it, better mileage and way less maintenance.

Okay, this is something I know quite a bit about.
The 6.2 is a wonderful engine, I love them dearly, But you'll have to step up to a much higher gear. a 6.2 w/ stock rear gears, you'll top out around 35-40 MPH. Diesels don't rev very high. 3000 rpms would be screaming. if you hold 3000 for too long, you'll hurt the motor.

261

Nitrous Oxide

Nuff Said
Boo

Camarogenius
glad to see anuther 6.2 fan

our 82 1 ton 4.11 gears and stick will do 65mph
with out straining the engine but
in a lighter truck would be better if you could run 3.73 or 3.55
my 68 has 4.11 gears but it will hae over drive for higway travel


the only true weakess I have found is that the crank is littel week if you realy push it hard (wen over reving and/or to big of load)
thay realy move with a Banks Sidewinder turbo kit
witch are starting to become somewhat affordable
also opening up exhaust and intake and a littel shot of propane can make a big inprovement just dont over do it

You get that ruck home yet? Lets see the pics!!

An original motor would definatly be the easier to install, but a decent running 216 or 235 might be hard to find locally.. whereas 350's are a dime a dozen, and can often be found cheap in wrecked cars.

The whole 350 install sounds like a whole lot of chopping and riggin' to do.. maybe i'm not really a purist.. maybe i'm just lazy!

If I absolutely had to put a bigger, newer engine in one of my trucks, i'll have to say that 6.2 Diesel idea sounds pretty cool!

Old Chevy46, Yup, I've hotrodded a few 6.2 diesels. I've also blown a few!! As a matter of fact, once I get the 53 running and safe to drive, I may sell it to finance my next diesel build up. I like the looks of the old truck, but those cabs are way too small for a man of my size.
I'm 6'5" and 375#. I'm just too big for it.
Sorry for hijacking the post.

I'm glad I stopped growing at 6'2 (altho I havent seemed to stop growing WIDER)

I was at a local auction the other night and they had a Triumph Spitfire on the block.. I just had to sit in it.. my wife laughed and said I looked like a clown in a parade.. getting back out of that car was about like trying to climb out of a 6 foot hole.. but I gotta say, it was alot more comfortable than I would have guessed.

My dad Has a couple of spitfires and a GT6 Which is a hard top spitfire.
I crammed myself into that car, ONCE!

Got the truck home safely, will put up a photo once I figure out how to do it. Appreciate all the opinions and advice, right now I have pretty much decided to rebuild either a 235 or 261 and go with the stock tranny.