The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk New to Stovebolt - have question - '48 3100 project

First things first - I am new to the stovebolt forum, thanks for having me.

Second - looking for honest opinions.

Have a '48 3100 project underway. Looking for the right motor to set up in the chassis. Plan on taking the truck in stages. Rolling chassis first, then body work (will finish at the black primer look)

My engine choices have been narrowed down to 250, 292, or vortec 4200. Have a line on a fairly low mileage running 250, an unknown mileage 292, and a really low mileage 4200. While the 250 or 292 would be the easiest, the Vortec has a different appeal

Plan on using the truck as daily driver and runs to local rod events. May tow a small trailer, however I am looking to find the drivetrain to suit my driving needs (cruising + interstate)

Truck will be getting S-10 front suspension, and will be shifted by hybrid T-5 trans (also looking for S-10 T-5 tailhousing and shift rail / top cover)

Scott

Hy Scott
Danforth, Welcome, personally I would use the 4200, I have wanted to swap one of these into a truck ever since I heard about them. Just my opinion.

Hi Scott, welcome to the 'Bolt. Wow, good question on the engine choice. I'd say if you are pretty sharp mechanically & don't mind a challenge, the 4200 would be a real nice transplant(economy, power, etc..). If you are ready to get on the road & start burning gas, I would probably stick with the old school power...then upgrade to the new tech once you've gotten your feet wet. Just remember to not get in over your head & abandon the project. Sounds like a real neat truck you've got there! Do you have any pictures to show us?

Welcome Scott. Greatest site in both sides of the Mississippe!
I think you answered your own question. You said Daily Driver and to ROD shows. Even though folks ROD the smaller engines it sounds like you "want" the 4200. Go for it.

Thanks all. The 4200 is nearly plug-and-play with ECM re-maping from Wester's Garage. However there is something to be said about 3 carbs on an older I6.

Truck project is just underway. I have pictures of pieces, etc., however nothing worth writing home about. would 4 active vehicle projects be considered "over my head"

Anyone know RPM limits of stock 250's or 292's? or how much power one can make with a mild cam change, split exhaust manifold and a decent induction setup?

Scott

p.s., anyone have truck parts that they are willing to trade for a pair of '40 Chev Deluxe's?

My vote, the 4200. Now send the pictures!!! :hammering:

My thoughts exactly! Welcome to the Bolt!

My vote: click on the image for a closer look..
[img]http://thumb11.webshots.net/t/64/464/3/40/33/2671340330096215731lQzZab_th.jpg[/img]
Doesn't this make you horny?
[img]http://thumb11.webshots.net/t/58/458/3/24/64/2389324640096215731GqZZEw_th.jpg[/img]

I agree with Hotshoe36. There are a couple of pics in my gallery of a dressed 292. Good engine!

Oh, mymymymymymymy! That is not so ugly, Slomotion.

Welcome, We just love new guys. Engine is your choice but the Vortec sounds real neat. The older 6's have their appeal butyou sound sharp enough to make somthing that you would like to take to a show. I know I would like to see it.

Hotshoe, did Gazim just rain on our parade? BTW, thanx for the comments.

Scott, like they say, it's your ride, build it your way. That's what makes the hobby interesting!

Welcome Aboard!

Same project - need information.

My truck came to me without the stock driveline or axles. Does anyone have a dimension from the center of the front axle to a point on the frame so I can locate my new IFS?

Here is the link to some pics

http://community.webshots.com/album/560482736JOxVQx

Scott

Please excuse my ignorance but what is a 4200? ron Never mind i googled and found it was the engine that i have been recommending all along if you feel you have to replace the orginal, (the atlas engine). GO for it and i let us know how it works.

The 4.2 liter inline 6 that GM puts in the trailblazer, ranier, and envoy. It is the largest of what GM calls the Atlas engine line. The 5-cylinder and 4-cylinder version are in the Colorado and I think Hummer H3.

The Atlas engines are modular (4, 5, or 6 cylinder) 4-valve per cylinder, variable valve timing (Exhaust cam) engines. 2005 and older were rated about 275ish, the 2006 and later at 291 (at 6000 RPM) with the introduction of Mass Air trim to the EFI.

Hope this helps

Scott

It's the 24 valve inline six that comes in the new Chevy Trailblazers, GMC Envoys, etc. Latest power ratings are about 295 hp and 290 ft lbs of torque, and they spin to about 6200 rpms.

Scott,
Go with the 4200, but be creative and still use the T-5, that'll showem' some real ingenuity!

Ahhggg....you beat me to it. LOL.

Now on to the question I need answered:

Does anyone have a dimension from the center of the front axle to a point on the frame so I can locate my new IFS? :confused:

Scott

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Slomotion:
[QB] Hotshoe, did Gazim just rain on our parade? BTW, thanx for the comments.


Rain? I thought I was being considerate. I run a 350 like most people. :p

Engine choice is currently pending a few things, such as which deal hits first. A 350 with 4 1-barrels would be cool - the single 4-barrel is way too common for my taste, however you can not beat the availability. An LS2 would also be a fun transplant, however too expensive for the current goal.

Still need information on location of front axle to frame for a stock 3100. Just rolled the S-10 donor chassis into the shop. Time to start cutting, welding and sweating.

Scott

Scott,
Try posting this question in a new thread in general truck talk and maybe in the driveline forum. I have a 3/4 ton 53 so I don't know if the demensions are the same.

And btw..Welcome to the bolt!

I too orignally considered the 4200, as i have two in the garage, but with the extra cost involved with pcm's and wiring and the almost none existant choice in transmissions that has been put on the back burner for now. I would love to see all that you fab up if you use it. If The General only made the 4200 bell housing the same as a small block it would make our lives alot easier.

A toyota trans (have the code somewhere) or the colorado trans will work. The BH from the colorado must be used. The lack of a rear sump pan means fabrication, fabrication, fabrication. I estimate that it will cost $3500 minimum to get a 4200 done without having a dealers license to get the good auction prices. (based off of actual salvage yard quotes)

Engine w/ harness, pcm, accessories, etc. $1300
Colorado Transmission $700
Flywheel $300
ECM remapping for 5-wire hookup $400
Colorado oil pan to sacrifice $150
Gasket set $125
Custom header $100 (plus a few hours of welding)
Misc. $200
Shipping and freight $400
Vanity cover (optional) to make the engine look cool $200
Revised custom intake so it looks cool (optional) $200

as compared to a complete takout 6 liter with trans for $2200.

Financially the 4200 does not look good from the get go.

I am in the process of building a hybrid T-5 as I will use one in the truck and I need one for my Northstar powered Opel project.

My book shows measurement is 18.281" from center of front spring bracket to center of axle. If you need more info let me know.

Thanks all. Due to a few family issues with helping relatives this weekend, all I got done was yardwork along with de-greasing my new trans.

Scott

First of all welcome aboard. Like most of the other responses, I'd say the 4200 to be different. Most of us are running an inline six or SBC. The 4200 would really stand out in a crowd.

I agree on the "different" aspect of the 4200, however for $1500, the local machine shop would build me a fantastic SBC with any power level up to 450. I have to find someone with a dealers license to shop the salvage auctions.

Looks like you have a winner with the SBC. Good luck with your project.