The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Need help to make decision *

I got a 52 chevy 1/2 it has a 235 engine and 3 speed transmission. Just purchased a 261 engine and four speed trans. My buddy just offered me a 350 engine turbo 400 trans and a rear end out of a 90 chevy 1/2. He will sell me all the stuff and install it for $1500 should i go with the later or what? I really wanted to keep it original but i like the thought of big power. Help me out with this.

I would save my money and install the 261 or just keep the 235..

nice buddy you have... sell you the stuff plus charge $1500 for installing......not a tough decision for me to make..

Right now you have a virtually unmolested truck. Once you commit to that swap, there is really no turning back.

The V8 will require major steering modifications. The TH400 will have you chopping holes in the floor, or changing out the steering column, and will require a different radiator. Now your truck will give you speed that the factory brakes weren't designed for.

Don't get me wrong, I like street rods. I just hate to see a stock truck get butchered, when there are so many others that have already been altered to use for street rod material.

But hey, it's your truck and your decision.

Good Luck

John

Buy a beat up rusted out for the rodding. I like the resto rods as much as anyone but if you have an nice original truck please keep it that way and get a rust bucket to play with.....

Just my opinion but as John said, It YOUR truck so its up to you. Thats another nice thing about this site. We may voice our opinion but we do not throw stones. To each his own....just enjoy what you do.

Gregs 52, Slow down, take a deep breath and think about this. What makes you happy, you say you really want to keep it original, but you like "power". You don't say what condition its in now, can you drive it? That old six will only go so fast, and you won't be able to hear the radio over the engine and road noise. Maybe you can test drive, or go for a ride in a friends truck. I always recommend Tom Brownell's book "How to restore your Chevrolet pickup, it will explain the process of putting these old trucks back on the road and making if safe for everyone. By the way are you expecting a stimulus package? Just remember its a process not an event.

Thanks guys this truck is in excetional shape it was a daily driver in the contry by a 77 year old guy. He drove it about 20 miles per day into a small towm north of Winnipeg (in Canada) summer only just to go for coffee. If i could figure out how to post a picture of it i would this would probley help you guys to help me make up my mind lol. $1500 bucks was the complete power train and installed price. Someone let me know how to post a picture. Thanks still undecided but leaning towards original, the heck with pier pressure.

Greg, I am doing a 53 and putting in a 350 and a turbo 400.For me this is the only way to go, as I like power.
By the way I am from Portage la Prairie, not far from Winnipeg.
I am also installing a 40/60 bench seat from a 01 Lesabre with integrated seat belts.
Have fun with your decision.

Nice to hear from another manitoban. What shape is your pickup in? What made you go big as they say? Also do you have any picture if you do send them to my email [email protected]. I wouldnt mind having a look at you project if you dont mind. What are you doing for brakes? Keep in touch thanks

Welcome to the 'bolt a little late

I'm a girl and not a mechanic but I say leave it alone or go with the 261... You can get a differencial from Patrick's (in AZ) that will give you 3:55 instead of the original 4:11 ratio... It won't give you more power but it'll let you clip right along at highway speeds... Plus, you could add on some headers...

I like Sab's reasoning, that's exactly what I did with mine. A 261 up front and a 3.55 in the rear. If I want power, no problem, my SS396 takes care of that. Just my opinion. BTW, welcome to the club.