The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 235 vs SBC and which transmission/suspension

Part One: I have both motors and trans. and keep vacillating between which way to go. I am a "learning" mechaninc who wants a daily driver when I am done with my 1952 1/2 ton pickup. I have an '89 Chevy 3500 4x4 with the SBC/700r4 combo with 280000 miles which is why I picked up the fuel injected camero parts car but I realize I may not have the skills to transplant the running gear into the '52. I also have a 1960 235 with open driveline sm420 that appears to be a bolt in without messing with crossmembers etc. But, this has to be a daily driver. I am going to change the torque tube rearend to an open driveline with better gearing so I can drive the speed limit. Will the 235 be adequate or should I put in the SBC? Is a T5 trans. something I should try to learn to install or will my sm420 do the job. Since I have the '89 3/4 ton the '52 will not need to be used as a truck so much. Which brings me to part two: I was thinking on a Chassis Engineering bolt on IFS and rear leaf to soften the ride. Running normal width tires do I need power steering? Will a power steering pump adapt to the 235? I appreciate all opinions. I am down to the frame on the truck so I need to decide on motor, trans, and suspension. I like a traditional looking pickup. I love this site and thanks for all of the info!! Wayne

Is the '89 a 3500 or a 2500? A 3500 is a 1-ton, not a 3/4-ton. Not that it matters, but I have a '89 K3500 too, and like the capacity of the bigger truck.

I have opinions, and since you asked, I'll share.

The piece of putting a small block in a '52 that I think causes the most problems is the interference between the steering and the exhaust. If you go with the 235 you can avoid that problem completely.

Or if you go IFS and rack & pinion that will solve the steering problem too.

If you go with the 235 I'd go T-5. I've used a SM420 in a daily driver. Given a choice I'd probably go with the T-5 because it of the better splits between gears and the overdrive.

Staying with stock suspension and sized tires you don't need power steering.

Its easier to start stock or close, and modify later, than to go back stock once you've modified the truck. If in doubt I'd stay as close to original as you can and make more serious modifications only after you've decided stock isn't cutting it for the way you want to use the truck.

I'm a hot rodder at heart, and would probably go V-8 in time but I really like the simplicity of the old 6 and hate to see it abandoned when it is overwise adequate. Try the six before you give it up and swap.

My K3500 is a 454 and I'd go big block in the '52 if it were mine.

I agree with Old Sub. The six with a T5 would be adequate and much easier to do if you are a aspiring mechanic. Good luck.

I've done a little research on the subject in the last few months since i've been having problems with my '46 1/2 ton torque tube joint (and had problems with the torque tube joint in the '50 1/2 ton I had, too).. both vehicles have the splash oil 216 and stock tranny & rear.

Everything i've read suggests that a 216 or 235 with an updated rear, and an open driveline SM420 gives you far better top end speed and makes the vehicle more 'daily drivable' at contemprary speeds.

No doubt in my mind that a later full pressure 235 will be sufficient.. slapping a V8 in there just sounds like a huge headache, more money, and longer wait till you can drive your truck again!

Everyone i've talked to who's used the t5 behind an inline 6 has loved it.. altho from what I understand it takes a little 'engineering' to get it to work.

I think the SM420 is pretty much a driect bolt in swap.. and i'm all about easy.. so when I finally get sick of the torque tube BS in my 1/2 ton, thats probably the route i'll go.

In my opinion.. half of the 'cool' factor of my '46's is the way that old I6 motor sounds.. and I wouldn't get rid of the stomp start for all the tea in china.

As far as workability, I can put 3,000+ lbs of corn in the back of my '46 1/2 ton and putt right down the road with a splash oil 216 and stock 4 speed (altho the back end squats down quite a bit!) that combo was built to work, and that 1st gear has enough grunt you can pick up some extra cash by offering a tree stump removal service.

But if I were doing alot of highway driving, I might consider going the t5 route.. guess it really depends on how you'll be using/driving the truck.

My opinion is a 235. They were adequate when they were introduced and unless you want to drive 80 mph all day it is the right choice. Besides an SBC is like a belly button. Everyone has one!

Just to be the devils advocate, I would go with the V8. You have the frame stripped down and everything is easy to get to. You will need to deal with the steering box though. Think about it, what if you decide you don't like the 6 cyl.? Then you have to try to fit in a V8 in without scratching up your fenders, hood, move the steeringbox etc. Just so everyone doesn't hate me, I must say my 235 has straightened out many an Oak tree here in Florida (after hurricanes)! So it is a great combo.

My choice would be the 235,the SM 420 and an open drive rear end to start with. Depending on how much you plan to haul with your truck,you could remove a leaf or two from each spring and install some good shocks to make for a better ride. It'd be good to convert to a newer design master cylinder,for safety sake.You might freshen up the stock front end;kingpins,tie rod ends and drag link if it needs 'em. Keep in mind with the exception of the engine swap,these are all good weekend projects,making the truck driveable through the week. If you decide you want to change your mind on any of the mods you do,you can often sell the parts you change for enough to help cover the next project.
I wouldn't be inclined to go the V-8 route,they're a lot of work to install properly,harder to work on,and an eight powered stovebolt just doesn't get the admiration a clean six powered one gets.
Later on,if you decide the rear end ratio you swap in isn't tall enough,a T-5 will be relatively easy to install with one of the kits available now.
The key is to not jump into a big bunch of conversions all at once;it'll eventually overwhelm you,you lose interest,end of project.Try to prioritize what you want to improve and do it a section at a time. That way you can enjoy the job,always see the light at the end of the tunnel,and know it won't be long before you can drive your truck again.
Have fun with it.
Speed

Since I'm an old fart I remember tricks long forgotten. One of them was to put a V8 into an AD (47-55 1st) truck(we called them "round bodies") you used a 55 or 56 265V8 left exhaust manifold so the engine could be mounted in the center and still clear the steering gear box. The exhaust exited the manifold at the front bottom and had a 2 bolt flange that took a flat gasket. This gave ample room to route the exhaust pipe past the gearbox, clutch, and shift linkage. We weren't geniuses, it's just that the first V8's, the 265's would fit and in 57 the ones with the rams horn style and all the following ones wouldn't. The 265 is a flat log style manifold whitch would not be great for a hot rod engine but plenty good for a daily driver and can still be found at swap meets for $25 or so. All that said I'd go with the 235 and T5. Sometimes you have to grind a bump on the gear box a TINY bit but the bump has no important function.