The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Taking the 350 plunge!

After many discussions and a ton of reading, finally decided to go the 350 route on my '56. Keeping all of the removed parts, but going in will be a GM Crate 350 and a 700R4. Found a muffler/brake shop just down the street that does this installation quite often, so got to see his work on other trucks.
Wish me luck, here's where we are so far. Ed

Although many others will disagree with me,I think you made a wise move. It is true,almost everyone uses the 350 for streetrod and updating a vehicle,because it is an easy swap,parts are available at a reasonable price,and last but not least they are a great running engine.Course there are always gonna be the so called purists who say leave it completely stock,with the old boat anchor six,or perhaps a 265 V/8.I have a 350 and 700R4 in my 55 and it is a great running truck.Especially when I am out in the passing lane running with the fast traffic,and getting a lot of thumbs up.

Ive got 350 Goodwrench engines in both my 58 & 70. If you paint them Chevy orange you can't hardly tell from original .The 58 has a T-5 & the 70 has a 700 4R. I can get out there & go with the flow.

good luck fredoly. im sure you will be pleased.

my 57 has a 350 / 350 combo, but i want to one day go with a 700r4 as you are, or go the 5 speed manual route. one day.

leonard

OMG

Boy YOU HAVE JUST CROSSED THE LINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For you 50 lashes with a wet noodle!

Dang it, that's why I "hid" this news in the HiPo area, did'nt want any "boat anchor" comments in General Truck Talk or Engine & Driveline. I feel bad enough about pulling the 235, and this IS Stovebolt.com! I use this site everyday, and the I6 coming out was a hard decision for me. Really wanted to keep it in. Ed

Hey Hey,thats what lines are for.Lets see here. A 55 2nd with a mean 350 and 700R4,and a 65 with a 500 Caddy and a turbo 400.both sweet running trucks,that will get out in the passing lane and kick a$$.

A couple of things you will have to modify.

1. Brakes. Get an aftermarket firewall-hung brake conversion kit. Probably run you a couple hundred bucks from Speedway if you go with manual. Power brakes will be about twice as much. There is no room for the lever arm on the stock brakes. Hits the exhaust on #7 on mine. You CAN modify the stock brakes in a pinch, temporarily, by trimming off the top of the lever arm, depending on what kind of exhaust you do.

2. Steering box. This is an infamous one. Even with my upside-down shorty headers, I still had to move my steering box a good inch outboard using spacers and longer bolts. It did change my steering wheel alignment too.

3. You'll need a crossmember. I suggest a bolt-in tubular crossmember from Speedway Motors. Do NOT!!! weld it in. If you do, you won't have enough room to slide the engine back. It's a very narrow engine bay.

I think you made the right decision on buying the tranny from Bow Tie Overdrives in Hesparia Ca. They are a excellent tranny builder and if I had not gotten a FREE 400 tranny from a friend that was beefed up I would of went with Bowtie Overdrive. Enjoy my it friend you will be happy with it.
62Blue.
Don
PS: They have probely one of the most bullet proof transmissions around.

HRD, all good advice for a AD but this is a TF truck not an AD. So no need to change or relocate the steering box. As for the brakes, I have always found the brakes more than adequate, if in good shape. And if power brakes are in the plans, it will all fit under the floor. I do think a disk brake up grade in the front is good money spent.

Lonnie

I've had my '48 1300 (Canadian version of the 3100) on the road now for 2 months with the fuel injected 1995 Impala SS LT1 350/700r4 combination and it's SWEET!!!! Reliable, trouble free, and better on gas than the old "boat anchor".

Sorry, must have missed that detail.

HRD,

Just want to keep you honest.

Lonnie

Good move. Enjoy!