The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk i'm new

Hello everyone, lemme just introduce myself. I am a 18 y/o high school student who has an unaturally strong bond with mechanical things. I spent most of my childhood in my grandpa's mint condition 1960 chevy apache 10 custom with original custom camper, i guess thats where it started. Anyways i'm am looking at a couple different '60 apache's to restore, and i have a few questions.

first of all, one im looking at has the 283ci. and i was wondering how those do on power and gas. thats what my grandpa's has, but he drives it so i don't know. i am also looking at one that has the in-6.

so i was wondering how the power and gas was on the 8-cylinder, and the 6 cylinder.
also i was wondering how much if any mods where necesary to put a 327cu, or evan a 350 cu with a more modern 5 or 6 speed trans.

thanks!

A 6 will nearly alwyas get better gas, and a 8 will have more power. Not sure if your wanting speed power, or hauling power. I do believe up to the later 70 early 80's that most nearly any trans/ang will bolt right up, same w/rears. Of course you may need a adap kit for some. A 6 trans is better, if your running a higher geared read. If a lower geared rear, use a 4 possibly a 5 depending on the ratio's.
Not much help, but it is some info. Also, you've beat me. I am 26 and I believe there is a fellow here that is 24. 18 huh, you a punk? We dont like punks here
Best of luck, and have fun!

PS: The afterlife? What you should have is a stick I have on my truck

Run your fingers over my truck, and my truck run over your fingers

welcome to the shop Kid, study up on the archives here and you'll have a lot of info to work with

it'd be a direct bolt-in swap to use a 327 [more 'stressed' 283] or 350 [common as dirt], but for my money the 283 is the best, plenty of power and decent mileage - also not to much involved to drop in an OD 4/5 speed

Bill

ok, thanks!! i was hoping it would be that easy, i'm mostly worried about mod. the engine compartment and framework.

yeah, i want as much power i can get without losing to much miliage. from what i understand, a 350 will give me all the power i need, but i understand they are not the most effecient desighn, i might occasionally pull a trailer, but mostly just for a transport vehicle, so i'm thinking the 283 will prolly be my best bet. My brother says that if i strok it, i will get a little better torque...is stroking acutally worth it?

as far as trany's, if i get a six speed off of a 350, it will match the bell housing of the 283?

thanks!

i'm not going to drag with it or anything, but if i need to move, i want to be able to MOVE!

and no, i'm not a punk, i'm just a normal kid that spent to much time around engines and fumes growing up.

ClassicCarKid:

Welcome to the stovebolt! I have several '64-'66 Chevy trucks and several have the factory 283 V8 and 327 V8. I also have a factory 292 six.

The 283 was the only V8 available in the C10 trucks up to '65. In 1966 the 327 became available. Both the 283 and 327 had relatively low horsepower ratings, as compared to the modern high rev 350's.

I feel the best factory combination is the 283 or 327 with the factory 2-speed Powerglide and factory 3.73:1 GM twelve bolt rearend. I have several factory automatic trucks and several granny-low 4-speed (SM420) trucks and the best mileage is a 283/auto (OLEBLUE). The best puller is my 292/4-speed (BIGBLUE) and the best speed/mileage/towing is (BCKNBLK).

If you are going stock, there are many good options/combinations, that will give you good overall performance. Good luck with your project and welcome aboard.

Tony

The 283 is the best engine anyone ever built. Period. That, with a T-5 transmission from an S-10, will give you more of what you want, while easily putting up with the staggering abuse ANY 18-year-old routinely dishes out. I couldn't help it until I learned better, and neither, I suspect, can you. I know what you mean about the bond, though. Maybe you need to go highway truckin' for money, like I did. I hope you find an easier way, though . .

welcome to the 'bolt.. dont listen to all those "old folks" dinging you on your age, heck, i'm 16 going on 47, or is it 46 going on 17?

"The 283 was the only V8 available in the C10 trucks up to '65. In 1966 the 327 became available. Both the 283 and 327 had relatively low horsepower ratings, as compared to the modern high rev 350's."

ok, thats what i was wondering... a question though, what kind of miliage do you get with your 327? lets say the "19sexy6"? (awesome name)

haha, thanks Rusty Rod. Its ok though, i'm used to it, my first major mechanical project was replacing a clutch in a super-compact kubota. If you know anything about compact tractors...its a nightmare, it was older so i didn't have a book, but i had the thing torn in half(they use the drivetrain as the framework) in about a day. Dad about had a heart attack when he saw it, but the best part was when i returned it to the farmer(who i work for). He asked dad if he had any trouble, dad told him i did it, you should have seen the look on his face!! i was like 13.

so i'm used to being heckled because of my age...

I don't think any of them are very good on gas if that's what you're worried about. My '63 is a 230 (six), and it runs so much fuel through it you'd think it had a hole in the tank. But like most old stuff, it seems like the more gas they use, the better they run.

CCK, welcome to the bolt, we all wish we were 18 and know what we know. BTW what do we know???

Welcome aboard!

I'd go for the 283. With a 5 speed, you should be fairly decent gas-mileagewise.

Twenty-six, eh?

Copycat.

It seems like we've got a few 19-21 year olds on here too, but they're at school and don't post often.

Hmmm....
I feel OLD now when some 18 year old comes in...
I got my eye on you "kid" :blat:
J/K!
Welcome and enjoy, I aint near as grouchy as some of the guys in here
And OLD FART? Thems fighting words, calling me a old fart...How 'bout "young" fart, I can handle that!
These guys have always "got my back" so I am sure they will adopt you under their wing as they did me. And I too, will adopt you under my wing and help you, the best I can!
This is a bunch of kewl folkes!

Hey brendan! hows it hangin man? WaZzZz Up Boyeee! LOL, remember them days? You a 80 model too eh? Kewl!

Welcome to the bolt Bro !! Doesn't matter if your 18 or 24 or 26 or 43 "like me" even as old as Rusty Rod 47 ! Lol !! It's all the same street man!! As long as it's in a Bowtie !! Ive ran 283's, 327's, 350's,and my recent install a 454/TBI in my 1986 C20 Tow Rig.(now that's what Im talkin about) It's all in how YOU want to do it ! At this point and gas reaching $3.26 a gallon (here in Vegas) Whats it gonna matter ?
Build it ! Drive the hell out of it ! and when it breaks (and it will) Fix it ! Just remain seated & keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times ! WELCOME ABOARD LITTLE BROTHER !!

Your in safe hands here at The Bolt! you'll find out some good info, Good people, Buy & Sell Parts, and best yet you ll make some GREAT FRIENDS !!

As Joker told me a while back when I needed a few kind words "This is the real deal"(Thanks Fred)

The Stovebolt Page ROCKS !!

It all fun and games till someone gets punched in the eye ! Lol!!

See ya !!
Todd

( lost1953: still lookin for a neighbor with a camera ? ) Ha Ha !! "just kidding"

Welcome to the bolt!

Welcome aboard you've come to the right place.

Hey Lost1953 be proud to be an old fart
FATHERS AGINST RADICAL TEENAGERS. Ha Ha

My life is full of shoulda wouldas' and couldas' and the older I get the more useta coulds' there are.

Yeah,welcome to the bolt.Hey I was 18 yrs.old about 51 yrs.ago.Another thing to consider is the rearend gearing.you can run just about any engine you want and get good gas mileage if it is geared right.I am running a 350 in my 55,along with a 700R4 tranny and the original 3;90 rearend.Due to the OD tranny ratio it is turning about .78 to 1 to the rear.If I was using a non OD the ratio would be 1 to 1,and I would probably want a 3:08 rear to compensate.My 55 gets 20 MPG all day long ,has great pickup and will cruise at 70 to 80 MPH.So as you can see there are many combinations,to consider.As far as 283s,327s,and 350s there aint a whole lot of difference.The 350s are probably more plentiful.

Welcome to the BOLT! This place has ALL the answers to ANY question you may have.

Thanks dale937! i looked at your pics and a really nice truck!! What carb. are you running on that 350?
I was thinking i would try to find a 6 speed manual, i cam across one with a .63 OD. but feirc expensive.

also, would anyone know what the factory gearing would be on a 1960 chevy pickup, with the 6 cylinder three speed?

thanks!

No, I dont need no more stinkin neighbors with stinkin cameras dag-nab-it!

Ok Kid, havin fun yet?

Grant from Roy;

The older I get, the better I was.

Mark

another question: Where can i get glass for my truck? (1960 apache 10) since this is my first project so i dont know all the good places to get the antique parts and stuff...

Gee, Isn't it fun to have a kid all pumped up with the enthusism we had at that age. WoW makes me feel like a kid again.
Kid do any darn thing you feel, like, and can afford. the 283 will be a fine engine till you get enthused and move up. Probably get the best mileage too. the T 5 will be the most economical for you now. a 6 speed would break the bank unless daddy is financing this project. Make it run good and go from there. You have a lot to learn and it is going to be so much fun I am green with envy. I wish you the Best.

A P.S. there are lots of links here at the bolt for the resto parts you need.

Classicarkid:
Glass is the one thing that is not antique. I would look for glass at your local auto glass shop. They have what you will want, even tinted. Also they can cut and install it professionally.

hey welcome to the bolt, good people here, ive learned tons about my truck from this site.

and hey your not the youngest one here im only 17. good luck with your project.

mines almost finished, i need to get some pics on here.

Lost 1953: I'd rather be an old fart than a fresh fart

CCK don't let these old Farts razz you to much, we'er all 18 at heart, some are younger than that. The first truck I ever drove was a 60 Apache with a 283 4 spd so I'm right there with you. My son just turned 13 so I get to go through it all over with him. I'm a big fan of the little V8's, 283 was probabaly the best all around SBC that GM ever produced. They are getting a little rare but can still be found. Best of all you can still find parts, and most of all the parts interchange with other SBC's. These are some great folks here and they won't steer you wrong. Good luck and welcome to the "BOLT".

My first car was a 64 Impala with a 283 and a 2-speed powerglide, it had 3.08 gears in the rear and got right around 21-24 miles to the gallon. A 283 with a T-5 and 3.55 gears would probably do real well as far as mileage and power. Good luck with it, sure wish I'd had access to a site like this when I was 18!

ClassicCarKid,

welcome. Read a lot, ask questions and help out when you can.
A key to getting your questions answered is to come up with the right topic. Some folks know about about certain body style trucks, or some know more about the inline sixes than the v8's. So if relevant, put in the year model, class(1/2, 3/4) and engine in the topic. Then the people who know something about those will click on your post.

have fun,

-W

Hotshoe36, I like that line, "The older I get the better I was" I tend to embelish stories more each time I tell them!
Hi ClassicCarKid! I am a little over 18, and don't know nearly as much the others, but I welcome you!
Rick