The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Bolt killed in action

Hey all,

I'm sorry to say its been awhile since my last post, but here I am looking that helpful advice that brought me here in the first place.So here what happened....

The other day I was driving my '66 Fleet to work in the fastlane, 50 miles from home, my engine makes makes a pop and suddenly feels as though its running on sand rather than petrol and the engine temp goes of the guage. I make it of the freeway and limp the bolt to a nearby shell. A passerby seeing the smoking engine from under the open hood comes over and tells me it sounds like a broken rod and that I was lucky to make it to the station. I had AAA tow the bolt to a shop in town with a heavy heart. The mechanic told me that the connecting rod snapped and almost went through the oil pan, 60 year old 283 engine was dead.


Now I'm at a crossroads. He told me I had the option to drop a crate 350 in for about $3000 after labor, but added that it would probably be to much for the old 2 speed transmission and rear end, meaning I was really look at spending $5000 bring this truck back from the dead and turn it into a supertruck that would no longer be a black hole for money supossedly. Needless to say I've grown attched to this truck and dont want give it up, but should I move on and cut my losses? Get a newer truck and give up stoveboltin? Also any help with the numbers would be appreciated. Thanks guys

Desperate dude

I don't think the 350 would have any dire affects on your tranny or rear end. I use to run a 350 in my 64 Impala with the powerglide and theres a world of other old Chevies running that combo. He's probably gonna offer to take the truck off your hands for cheap and then throw a 350 in it and enjoy it himself. If you have any mechanical skills, swapping in a 350 ain't a big deal and you could do it your self for a lot less. Good luck with it.

I agree with Rob. There's nothing wrong with a "slip and slide" powerglide. My grandmother had a '65 Impala with a gutsy 327-300 horse engine in it coupled to a powerglide and it hauled butt and never gave her a minute's problem. (even when grandson abused it!) And as far as your statement about giving up stovebolting, you should have your mouth washed out with soap!

Check the parts for sale section BIGMIKE310 has a running 283 for sale and shipping shouldn't be that much.
Good luck

You can slap ANY old SBC into that workhorse in about a DAY.... EASY MONEY.. dont let that snake oil salesman take you to the cleaners!!

Your 'bolt isnt KIA... it's only WIA!!

Plus think of all the miles you got outta that truck! After 50 years my bolt runs great! Talk about good recycling. You cant do that with newer rigs.

Im sure you can find a few other bolters in Cali to give ya hand.

Let us know what happens. Good luck.

In the latest Hot Rod Magazine there is a 1050 horsepower Nova running a Powerglide trans. Keep the truck, forget the new ones. There is no character in them. And as was written above, the guy at the shop probably wants to get his hands on your 66. Don't let it happen!

Chevrolet put a lot of Powerslides behind big blocks,348s,409s,and 396s.So it should sure hold a 350.I also had a 65 SS Impala with a 300 HP 327 and Powerslide.it worked out very well.

All anyone runs at the local drag strip & circle track is aluminum Powerglides. Brian

$3000 is actually pretty cheap to have a mechanic install a crate motor. Prolly installing a rebuilt one for that money. Shop your craigslist. You should be able to find a good engine for less than $500. You could get a cherry picker for $200 or rent one for less. You will have that old girl back on the road in a week! Good Luck

Powerglide is pretty much bullet proof. We uses to use them in stock car around here.

SC Trucker - You have to ask yourself why you got the truck in the first place. Probably for nostalgia, sense of pride or maybe you just loved the look of it. That '66 is 100 times cooler than any late model truck. I say, keep the truck, take the great advice of some of these guys and get it back on the road. We all have setbacks one time or another. That's all this is.

Powerglides are tough. I was driving my 62 Impala 283/powerglide at about 15mph and I reached to grab something on my dash. My forearm hit the shift lever and knocked it in reverse! It didn't seem to hurt the tranny.

I say drop that 350 in and forgetaboutit.

Them 'Glides are really tough, like others have staded, vitually all the dirt track cars run them as well as many drag cars. And as far as the rearend goes, well that mechanic must not be too knowlegable about old Chevies. The '66 would have the 12 bolt rear, which was (in passenger car version) used behind some of the most powerfull cars made in the Muscle car era. It can handle a 350 crate motor easily.

The 350 is a bolt in swap, you can find them in good running condition for less than 500. My vote is put a good used engine in and all you are out is about 500 and a weekend. A small price to pay rather than buying a newer truck for thousands of dollars. Just my .02 worth.

Rebuild the 283. Find a Pontiac engine. Put a hemi in it. Anything but a cookie cutter, everything else on the block has one, no imagination, crate 350.

Wow guys thanks for all the quick feedback and opinions. First off I must say that all this great feedback on the powerglide made me somewhat sad, because my trucks not runnin one. I've got the original hydramatic 2-speed which I recently had maitenance on. Is their anything good to say about that baby or should I be expecting an upgrade?

Now, I was looking at my option the othernight: newer used cars and what not and I found most decent ones were more money than it would cost to bring the old bolt back to fighting condition. I mean once I did scrape up the money to put a crate in and poss. a tranny upgrade, my baby would be a prize fighter that I could feel confident driving anytime, anywhere and I can't say I wouldnt feel happy giving my truck that kinda life; turning it into what it deserves to be. Sounds better to me than buying some truck you don't know the history of or making monthly payments on something. What do you guys think?

Determined Desperate Dude

stick with your truck, you can find a crate gm motor for about 2,000.
driving an old truck is much cooler...
I would rather drive my 51 than the wife's subaru...
the subie is insanely fast... but it's not an old truck.
it sounds like you love your truck, i'd keep it...

My uncle just bought a 2500 HD with the duramax in it and it's been in the shop twice for the same problem within four months I would definetly put a new engine in that old bolt.

There's nothing wrong with a hydramatic either. it got you there everytime you went somewhere, did'nt it? find a motor, get it put in and think about an update of the trans later. one step at a time. and don't let it worry you. you've got the support of 11,000+ know alots, self proclaimed head shrinkers, and good folks to get you through this. If I might borrow a line from GM - "See the U.S.A in your Chevrolet"

You refer to your trans as a "2 speed Hydramatic", there is no such critter used in trucks. What you have is the aluminum Powerglide. There was a TH300 2 speed, but that was only used in Buicks, mainly the Special and Skylarks from the mid-late '60s.
If you do upgrade the trans, I'd suggest the TH700R4, you'll get an overdrive that way. Especially since you do run the highways with your truck.

Hey SC-
If all else fails - try this:
Scout around for an early '80s Chevrolet with a 305 and 700R4 combo. Chances are you can find one mega cheap. Pull the engine and trans and seel what's left to defray your cost.
The 305 is always overlooked because everybody wants a 350.
Chances are the 305 will be just as peppy as your 283 was, and with an overdrive behind it you will have more highway mph AND better mileage.
Good Luck!

Get one that has the 4 studs that come through the rocker cover, Studebaker or early Old Rocket cover bolt right on. Then you could be "different" without having to adapt an odd engine.

I learned I was running a TH400 when I was putting on a new starter and matched the pan with an identification chart. So, isnt that a 2-speed hydramatic?

I appreciate the tranny suggestions I'll Deffinetly look into them. Keep the advice coming please!

Determined Desperate dude

I thought the turbo hydramatic 400 was 3 speed, and a very heavy duty one at that. I agree with everyone else, you can bolt in a good running engine cheap and keep going.

If it's a TH400, that's a 3 speed. I'ts also considered the 2nd toughest automatic, after the 'Glide. It'll hande anything you want to put in it, from the 250 up to the 454. Does the pan kinda look like the state of Texas? If so, it's a TH400.

Dude, Don't be desparate. You have a truck and trucks are cool!!! I have a suggestion for you. The Orange County VCCA (Vintage Car Club) is having a car show on Saturday October the 7th. Email me and I'll send you the information orchidskip@yahoo.com. There's a raffle for a 350 crate motor from the local Chevy dealer. Come down, have a good time, buy a couple of raffle tickets and who knows? You'll meet a lot of car and truck guys and every one of them will tell you to keep the truck, put the 350 in it and enjoy it for a long time.

put the 350 in that bad boy and drive the dog out of it for another 50 years man!!!!!!!!

WHOOPS! its a 66,I mean "drive the dog out of it for another 40 years man!!!!!!!!"

You have gotten a lot of GOOD advice concerning your options. If money is a concern, just rebuild your 283. Don't get rid of the truck!

I'm with everyone here. Were it my truck I would:

1) rebuild it
2) find another 283 or a SBC.

To me, it's a better deal to spend $500-$1000 on a different engine than to spend $40000 on a new truck.

my votes for a 305 too.easy to find.cheap.and more torque than the stock 283.

Years ago I replaced the tired stock 327 in a '66 with a mildly modified 350. I kept the stock Powerglide. It worked great.

I've often regretted selling that truck.

The first thing I would do is get it out of that shop that told you you had to change the trans and rear. One of three things is going on there.1 They dont know what there doing 2 they are trying to get deep in your pockets.3 someones trying to BS you into giving them your truck. Not good. I would start another post and try to find a bolter around you that would install or help you put a motor in your truck. If you cant find someone on this board go to some of your local car shows and ask around. There are lots of guys that do side work at home to earn a lil extra money you just got to find one. You can find used SBC in your local paper alot of times. You may be able to rebuild yours. You can go to your local outo parts and buy a long block. Just find a local bolter or roder to help ya out. Good luck and remember if you buy a new truck first ask yourself what it is going to depreshiate when you drive it of the lot.

rebuild what you got if the block isn't ruined. The guy in the shop is telling you what is easiest for him to make money on. A used 283 isn't that expensive.

I bought a Firebird last year for $500 with 3000 miles on a rebuilt 350. Drove it into the garage and tore it out. Small block chevies are all over the place. If you've got a TH400, stick with it. If you've got a two speed, look for a 700R4 (may involve moving the trans crossmember) or a TH350 or 400.

Of course, if you can't tell how many times your truck shifts, an engine swap may be out of your ability range. Not trying to be a jerk--just make sure you can handle the job. Call your buddies and bribe with beer. It's a weekend job for two guys with the right tools.

Desparate Dude,
All Chevy car show Sunday October 8th at Enderle Center in Tustin California. A 350 crate motor will be raffled off, donated by the local Chevy dealer. Last year one of the club members won the motor. It wasn't a fix, honest!!!! Anyone can win and there will be some great cars and trucks there including yours truly.

Don't give in to despair. Go to www.ocvcca.org for details of the above car show. See really cool cars and trucks. Be inspired and win a crate motor. Happy truck life!!!

totally agree w/ still lookin! I'm not the world's best mechanic, but throwin in a crate 350 wouldnt be tough, man. doing it yerself will save you $$$, and make ya feel great! and if you get stuck, well that's what this place is for! any # of people are ready to give you info on what ot do next. DO IT !!!!!!

Where are you in SoCal?