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Hello fellow truck lovers, I have a 59 chevy panel wiht the origional 235,3sp and rear end 4.90 gears? I have the following engines and trannys 230, 350,3sp overdrive,th350,th400,also 10bolt rear out of a 72 chevy 1/2 ton truck was told it has 3.07 gears. My question is what combination will give the best gas milage,freeway cruise ability and dependability. I really enjoy the truck as is but would like to cruise at higher speeds than 60mph. Would the 235 have the power to use the 3.07 gears. I have 235 75 15" tires on it now about 29 inches tall. Would taller tires work with the 235 and the rear gears I have now. Please help.

59PTruck: I have 350 motor w/th400 wish i had 700 because of overdrive but anyway, Your panel would be so cool w/350 more power rearend sounds good for hyway donor. These guys know there stuff listen to them lot of them using 235. Welcome.
popcorn 59 Apache stepside

Neither the 230 or the 235 will have the power needed for highway driving with a 3.07 gear. Your best milage would be the 230/th350 with a gear in the 3.40-3.50 range if you want to go with an auto. It all depends on what you want. I have a 350/th400 with 3.07 gears in my 69. Just put an advance kit in the hei, upped my milage from 12 to 16. Lots of power, especially above 60. All three of your engines are very dependable. The th400 tranny is as bulletproof as GM has made, the th350 uses less power but is still good. To enhance the life of either one you can put in a shift kit, which makes a bit harder shift, but prolongs the life of the clutches.

Trying to figure out what gear is in your truck. Original would have been either a 4.10 or 3.73, I believe, if it's a 1/2 ton.

Small block setup is the berries for sure but!...When you start to monkey with powering up the driveline, you need to also now consider changing/improving the brakes, suspension, and steering to match up to these new higher speeds heavier front end and to hang on to safety.

Like everything in life, one thing begets another thing begets another thing. Small block begets the R700 (?) TH400 (?) and those bet disc brakes and then independent front suspension and on and on it goes.

Slow lane driving is cheap!

OldcarKook - Heavier front end? Isn't a sbc lighter than the old straight six? Just checking.

Well Jeff I don't know! I figured it was but then again facts outweigh bullsh** every time.

Let's see what we can find...

Chevy small block weighs about 575 lbs and the 235 weighs 630 according to the complete handbook of automotive power trains quotes on the internet...assuming that's correct, you is right!

Thanks for all the replies, I am thinking about the 230ci with th400 or th350 tranny combo for gas$ reasons. I was also thinking about keeping the origional rear end and just try to fit a 31" tire, but has anyone ran this combo? If so please give me some feedback. A friend of mine has a 292ci for sale but I know the motor mounts are staggered is there a crossmember mount for the 292ci in a 59chevy truck? Is this not worth the effort for the extra cubes? Please help.

Engine weights: http://www.angelfire.com/ar/dw42/engfyi.htm

59PTruck: The 292 is worth the bother to fabricate the staggered mounts for.It will give you that 6 cylinder reliability,economy,ease of service and engine compartment room with nice low to mid range torque.They need a little more in the breathing and exhaust departments,and an HEI would be a wise idea.I am setting up the same drivetrain in a 1940 1.5 ton for a fellow Stovebolter

Thanks for the replies everyone,
Now I`m trying to decide between the 292 and 350.
This will be connected to a th400 and 307 geared 10 bolt.Does anyone know witch will give the best gas milage. What is the best way to mount a 292 with the staggered motor mounts in a 59 truck? Should I buy the v8 crossmember mount and modify it. Please let me know if you have installed a 292 and what works. Also does the long stroke of the 292 make it less reliable than the 230 or 250?