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#58389 03/27/2006 11:08 PM | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 28 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 28 | I just bought my first vintage pickup, a 1959 Chevy Apache series 31, fleetside. It came with a V8 of some sort obviously a rebuilt with edlebrock manifold and a big carb. I have done some research and I am pretty sure my truck originally had a Thriftmaser 6 in it. I have two questions.
First does anyone know of a source for a Thriftmaster 6, in the crate or almost complete ready to reinstall? And if not where do I look to find a block and parts?
Second, am I stupid to want to put a Thriftmaster 6 back in the truck, in other words was that a decent engine? I want to fix the truck up as stock as possible however I want to have a very reliable driver that I can take out on weekend overnight trips without worrying to much. Thanks for any help you can offer, Al
1959 Apache.
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#58390 03/27/2006 11:20 PM | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,966 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,966 | Welcome to the Stovebolt Page. Are you sure your truck was originally a 6-cylinder? If it was it was a 235. Great little engine - very respected around here. Lots of them still around. Check the swap meet on this site. eBay usually has 235 engines and parts almost anytime. But they are not cheap to rebuild compared to a 350 chevy. Others who know more will probably be along shortly. Good luck! 
Professional Novice
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#58391 03/28/2006 12:10 AM | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | The 235 "thriftmaster" 6 is a good engine. The v-8 was also an original engine in those trucks. The only difference would be the serial number. The v-8 will be a better choice if you want to use the truck for a reliable driver.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | |
#58392 03/28/2006 1:24 AM | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | hey 8t8, welcome to the garage! if your truck originally had a V8 then it will have 2 things: a VIN starting w/ a "V", and the front mounts on pads rivetted to the front cross member - if the current V8 has the side mounts on an add-on cross member then it's a later V8 [like 350] original V8 would have been a 283, great engine, and my preference for real traveling, but the 235 is good too, just less power - red= 283, green= 235 as said, watch the swap section here, and e-bay if you deal with them, and any local buy-n-sell papers in your area as well as auto swap meets, there's lots of 235's around Bill | | |
#58393 03/28/2006 1:57 AM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 | If you already have a V-8 and want to go back to a 6, the cheap way out would be to go with a 250 or a 292 which will bolt up to the bellhousing you have now. If you want the 235 you'll need to also get the bellhousing and everything in front of it,
Scott | | |
#58394 03/28/2006 3:07 AM | Joined: May 2004 Posts: 920 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2004 Posts: 920 | Hey Wrenchbender, maybe what you meant was that a v-8 might be more suitable in todays traffic? As far as reliability goes, a well kept later 235/261 is probably the most reliable engine ever made. Just my humble yet biased opinion. | | |
#58395 03/28/2006 4:42 AM | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 28 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 28 | Wow thanks to everyone for the help. I am new at these trucks so bear with me. The research I have done all comes from books, I bought everyone I could find, my wife is already getting fed up with the clutter and I haven't even started working on the thing. The VIN number does start with a V however the "nomenclature" plate with the engine and paint codes on it is missing. The hood does not have the widespread "V" behind the bowtie badge and I thought that would mean it didn't originally have a V8 in it.
1959 Apache.
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#58396 03/28/2006 5:33 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 324 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 324 | A good source for older motors is Bishop Engines. They are located in Dallas. I think they will sell and ship complete motors. You might look them up.
Tom | | |
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