The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Which to use 54(235) 82(250)

I have a 51 Chevy 6400 W/4speed Tranny and two speed rear end!! am wondering what is the best/most resonable engine to have in it Iam not opposed to the 235 but seems old and weak 250 w77head non entregal or have found several 292s and GMC 302 for some money. Plan on rebuilding what ever I use. already have running 54(235) in truck and a 250 ?? bad entregal head and not sure of condition plan to actually use truck to haul stuff, it has a dual cylinder hoist and will be used to haul and dump dirt and gravel during the summer for at least several years then not sure what I will do with it.

I put a 292 from a C50 dump truck in my 59 1 ton. (for what that's worth) I had to make my own motor mounts, but I have hauled 3600 lbs with it and no problems.

If you are going to rebuild a motor anyway, I would not go to the trouble of converting to a 250. I don't think its going to be enough more power to justify the conversion.

The 302 would be much more power for not a lot of conversion. The front mount is different and the motor is longer than a 235, but it looks very similar to the original, and parts from a GMC truck would allow you to use stock parts to move the radiator forward.

If you are going to convert to a later motor I'd go with the 292. You'll have some conversion issues. You'll need a different bellhousing that isn't going to fit your crossmember correctly and you'll need to build side mounts for the motor.

That's my two-cents. I hope its worth the trouble to read it all...

292 would be the hardest virtually because of the 292 having staggered engine mount locations about 3" different

id go with a good running used low price 250 or 292 and be done with it, save yourself time headache and $$$$

ppl set way too high expectations when they really dont need to be

i had a 53 6400 once, i have a pic below, it was too slow it wouldnt go over 45 because of the 2 speed rear stuck in low, so i traded it off for a car and later had ot take the car(90 cutlass supreme in pic above the 53 pic)) to shredder because the city said to get rid of it,,,
gace 500 for the 53 drove it away, was a storng runner old 235 in it and 4 speed, and the dump worked great, and very tiny amount of rust,
i tried to sell the truck but no one wanted it for even 500
it is hard to find buyers for old heavy duty trucks :/
so i avoid them now

[img]http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL515/2269104/4442402/108473229.jpg[/img]


good luck

My 2 cents worth? Give OldSub's post serious consideration.

Boo

I Had considered doing a 302 but heard they are harder to get parts for. our local scrap yard had one a few months ago I may give him a call to see what the price is. Not opposed to the 292 either they are all over the scapyards in this area. Thanks for the input, it all helps when talking to people that have been there.