The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Finally got my V8 conversion out for a drive

Finally got my brakes working after retrofitting a modern power brake booster and master cylinder under the floor using the original pedal assembly. Now I could finally take my V8-converted '52 GMC 3/4 ton out for a drive.

First of all, the reason I converted is because #1, my 235 had a catastrophic failure, and #2, I could not find any 292 blocks in my neck of the woods, and #3, I had a spare 350 literally just sitting around that I pulled out of an IROC-Z that I got rid of.

So when I started the truck, it was like holding my breath hoping everything worked. It idles nice and feels similar to how it felt with the 235 except that it idles a LOT smoother. That 235 would vibrate through the entire truck, but the 350 just purrs. Starting off, my torque is a little better right off of idle than I remember it. But once the secondaries kick in, there is this strange and powerful surge that squeezes you back in your seat, then you shift, and same thing. It's no race car, but it sure has that intoxicating V8 thrust. That's the main thing that is different from the 235.

I chose to use the stock SM-465 4-speed transmission. There are bellhousings available to adapt a V8 to these trannies. I had a spare flywheel off a '68 Corvette that I was able to use, and bought a new '68 Corvette clutch. But literally everything regarding this conversion had to be customized. Nothing's very hard, mind you, but everything had to be engineered from scratch. I had converted to a crossflow truck radiator, a 3-core brass/copper, which worked good until the waterpump shaft came flying out of the waterpump and the fan tried to chew through the radiator, destroying it. That was the only complication. But between that and the original brakes going out on me last year, seems I spent that whole summer last year fixing stuff.

Finally I got to take it out. I know the cool factor is not nearly as great as having a stovebolt, especially if it's a big inch stovebolt. And nothing I've done is irreversable, so I can always go back to a 292 if I ever found one. But I've gotta tell ya, this V8 is a really nicely matched motor for one of these trucks, and the thrust is just the medicine this old truck needed. It's more fun to drive than ever.

I encourage the conversion for anyone thinking of it, but at the same time, my hat's off to anyone who chooses a stovebolt instead. Because yours are the coolest still.

Congrats on getting your truck back on the road. I have to agree with you on the 350. I have one in my 60 C10 slightly modified and it's a lot of fun to drive. I have an automatic but a 4 speed would be even more fun.
Joe

Congrats on the first drive! Yesterday I drove my GMC with a 270, today I drove a much newer 350 powered truck. I can sure tell the difference when its time to accelerate into traffic!

OK Dad, but where are the pictures??????

Gotta agree on the 350. I am running a 350 and 700R4 auto OD tranny in my 55.Its a great combination. Plenty of power,and good gas mileage.Course it also has an M2 frontend with power R&P steering and disc brakes up front.I drive it very conservitily,but it will do some serious a$$ kicking if I get into it.Someday I would like to build up a straight six with a 5 speed manual tranny,but it would have to be putting out some serious ponies.Probably a beefed up 292.

We have had the coldest and wettest spring I remember. Here it's almost May and we've had snow for the past couple of days. The truck is so dirty right now, and I really need a little time to clean it up and wash off the winter grunge inside and out.

As soon as springtime decides it's here to stay, or if it's halfway nice enough to get out there and do some cleaning up, I will take a few photos inside and out and post them.

I spent most of the weekend cleaning it up, since we finally had a few nice days and the late spring storms seem to have moved out. Then I ended up stepping the carb jets 3 sizes richer, and that made all the difference.

You know what, these trucks are like being in the middle of a big drum. There has to be some effective way of insulating them so that they are more pleasant to drive. What have some of you done to quiet down the roar coming through the firewall and floor?

I did take some digital pictures. Is there a good free site online that can host pics so that they can be posted?

The IT Shortbus has a good writeup on this. Ed

I looked that up. Thanks.
I uploaded my photos to it, and will work with it some more when I go home after work.

On other forums that use similar formats, you put the link to the picture between [img] and [/img]. Is it the same here?

Actually we prefer that you don't use the [img] tags to put inline images in posts, just post a link to your webshots or whatever. That saves the guys paying the bandwidth bills some green.

Here's the official write up:
http://www.stovebolt.com/news/2007/december2007/index.html#forum

Mongo

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2579185030099708909LGozEL

I used Second Skin Vibration Dampener.

Wow. That really looks good. Have you tried it on the road yet to see how well it works?

I've got to do something like that. Pull everything out and just go to town on it. What did you do about the lack of insulation where you can't get to it, in the area of the cab behind your head around the rear window?

And do you have a link where this second skin is sold at?

yes, i agree. the 6 cylinder stovebolts are way cool, but theres no replacement for displacement. i love the 350 in my 57.

leonard

Okay let's see if this works.
Please view my pics at:
http://s664.photobucket.com/albums/...mp;current=52GMC.jpg&t=1240279632109

And:
http://s664.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=GMCEngine.jpg&t=1240280076273

I'll test this myself as well.
What do you think?