The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Historical Performance Parts

Hey Guys...

This is my first post on the Stovebolt, so bear with me... I just purchased a 1954 Chevy 3100 - 235 CID w/ 3-on-the tree. I'm planning on building what I would call a "Historical Hod Rod". I want to know what types of performance parts are availiable for my truck that would have been around in the 50's. I'm a little young (23) to have first hand knowledge, so I need your help! I'm NOT looking for any new performance parts, and I don't want to permantly alter my original, numbers matching engine, so bolt-on type parts only please. I was thinking about headers, or a intake, possibly one that would allow a second carb (or third ) I'm aware that they will probably be pretty hard to come by, but I have a while before I'll get to the point where they can actually be installed. I'm open to suggestions from older and wiser men, as I am just a young grasshopper. Thanks for all your suggestions.

Bryan

Kansas City, KS

Welcome young'n, I think your talking "Old School". I'll bet you know your way around the internet? So I'd suggest you check out the search option on this web site. All the venders have catalogs that feature performance parts. Stick around and good luck on your project.

Welcome Bryan; It's always good to see the young'ns getting involved in our great hobby/sport, especially with an "old-school" build in mind. There's lots of vintage style hop-up parts available from many sources. Fenton headers, Offy intakes, and many others have been around since even before the 50's. I would start by getting some catalogs from some of the vendors out there. I personally like Patrick's and Chevs of the 40's. There's a member here who can drop your stock axle if you want an old-school look. There's plenty of knowledge available here so feel free to look around, and ask all the questions you want. Good luck with your project and have fun!!

Brian,

Sounds like a great project. Your full pressure 235 is a good engine to work with.

Are you familiar with the 1955 Hot Rod Magazine article by Racer Brown about Frank McGurk's Chevy six? This article is about modifying a 261, but most of the information applies to a 235 as well. I used that article as a guide for the 235 and 261s that I hopped up back in the fifties.

Some of this equipment shows up on ebay fairly often.

In addition to Patrick's , you might want to check Tom Langdon's Stovebolt Engine Co. Patrick and Tom are both experts on the Stovebolt engines.

Hoyt

I have a vintage McGurk's catalog coming soon. If I get it scanned, I will share it with you. That should give a good idea of vintage mods. here is another vintage article you may like. http://www.selectric.org/55chevy/soup.html

Wow guys.... Thanks for all the advice!!! Just these few posts have helped me so much already! Keep it coming! Do you guys know if you can find any of the old McGurk's parts? or are they impossibly rare and expensive?

There was also a lengthy thread on here a year or so ago about all the different makes of custom intakes. Try a search of these forums. This stuff does show up on eBay often. Also try the Swap Meet on this site and on inliners.org. Barry Weeks is a guru of this kind of stuff too. PM him or visit his website. Good luck!
BTW, I love 54 Chevies!!

Fenton intakes & headers are still made under license & sold by most if not all of the vendors. Here are a couple of options.
Chevs of the 40s.
The Filling Station.

Here's some pic's of historical speed parts for stovebolts:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=200740&showall=1

There has been much written and it is easily found on the internet. I would recommend giving Patrick Dyke a call and speak with him or his son. http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/chevrolet.htm Patrick has been doing this for many years, and he can give you good advice, and he can sell you what you decide you want.

For anyone interested, the link Curt B. put up for the Jalopy Journal Website is fan-friggin-tastic!!! There must be at least 100 different intakes for the L-6 shown there.

Thanks Curt!