The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop excited/scared/confused newbie in need of your experience and know-how

Well! My first of no doubt many posts here. A couple of years ago, I thought I wanted an old truck. Then I decided it had to be a Chevy. So I started looking at every model of chevy 1/2 ton ever made. I fell in love with the '59 Apache Fleetside with a big back window, and just the other day, I bought one. Problem is... I have no motor and no transmission. I'd love to go to an automatic (hydramatic would be cool), and I'm just wondering what you guys think would be the best motor/trans combo out there, based on relative quietness, mileage, accessability, and speed. I'd sure like to have this thing up and going in a couple of months so any help you can provide is definately appreciated.

Any 350 (the parts are so easy to find). Tranney up to you, If it had a stick I would replace it with one If it was a auto,that also. I rather enjoy shifting. Makes me feel like I am doing somthing other than aiming the thing. If you replace the tranny with somthing different you will run into rear end ratio changes, crossmember changes and maybe drive shaft tunnel height changes.

Any Small Block Chevy V8 should work. A 235 or a 261 I6 should work as well.

Hydramatics are a little on the difficult side to find, but they pop up once in a while in the swapmeet and on eBay.

I agree with Gazim: Go with a stick.

I agree. The small block v-8 is the best choice. I put one in my 55 with the 3 speed column shift. Runs great & is fun to drive. If you prefer an auto the 700-4r o-drive works real slick.

Any idea what it's set up for right now? I6 or V8? Auto or manual?
Congrats on your truck. I also love the '59 fleets. It's a great looking truck. A friend of mine just bought one in central Cal. Only seen pics but I'll see it up close next month.
Like others have said, I'd stick with what it's set up for. If it's I6, you can easily find 235/261's in good running condition for cheap as many people swap those for a V8. If someone held a gun to my head and forced me to do a SBC, first I'd think about the unoriginality, cookie cutter aspect and then consider the bullet from the barrel. Just kidding of course. I'd do my darndest to make it as old school looking as possible.
-David

Welcome aboard Danny. Looks like they gave you some good ideas, good luck!

id go for a 283 2speed auto and tall gears id go for good gas milage so you can drive it when gas hits 4.00 a gallon

do what chevy did for gas mileage,305 v8,turbo 700r4.

OK!!! So I've got her home since my last post... turns out that she's a 3200... that means it had the V8, right? ...and the mounts seem to be waiting for a V8, too (the front mounts are angled, so that means the V8, yes?). Soooooo... looks like I've decided to go all original with it. I managed to find a parts truck, and I'm starting to pick it pretty well clean... except for the I6 and tranney, which, I can't use if I'm restoring, right?

Actually! The 3200 bit means that she's a long box! Ok. Got it. Boy... sure would be nice to just go ahead and use the inline 6 I already own and have no use for... or do I? How can I tell if this little beauty is waiting for an 8 or a 6?

Danny, hey it's your truck, ya can put any combo ya want in it. I'd agree with 32fire and go for a gas mileage combo. Ya might surf the web and find some info on an overdrive unit to put behind whatever trans you use. Just my 2 cents worth.

Hy dannybambino, if your truck came from the factory with a V8 it will have two mounts rivited to the back of the crossmember, it should also have a throttle linkage pivot on the firewall mounted above where the rod from the throttle pedal comes through the firewall, or at least the holes to mount the pivot, hope that helps.

Alright... now it's getting narrowed down a little. I've decided to go with a 283 with the three on the column shifting. Now to find the motor and transmission. I have the feeling that I might get lucky finding one in Ontario, as it seems the majority of the stovebolters here are Americans, and may have been less likely to come across the border for their motors. Hey guys... here's a fun one for you... how long would it take for one man (a rookie, but pretty handy), working one day a week, to do a frame off restoration on a '59 Apache? I can't wait for your answers... hahaha

I am doing a frame up on my '50 alone. I only work the weekends when I do not have other things to do. I am at about two years. Mechanicals are just about done. Engine, tranny, rearend, brakes, suspension, steering box and frame done. All patch panels in. Most body work done, in primer. Have to do finish body work, install 3 point belts, paint and electical. Hoping to be done by July 4th this year. (Two years since it was crunched by a hit and run driver. I have owned it for 29 years.) I am no pro, but not a rookie. Having good tools helps (e.g. compressor, air tools, etc.)

The absolute biggest factor in getting it done is you. How much do you really want this? Right now it seems like a fun and exiciting project. After a year or so of being in the garage, contemplating another day of the blast cabinet, and your loved ones have pretty much given up on you, it may not seem so fun. Check the local classified ads for items like, "59 Chev Truck, project, most work done, extra parts" and you will get the picture.

I think you would find that most folks here with fully restored trucks have a unique perspective on their vehicles. I know that when my truck was hit, I went through a grieving process that kinda surprized me. I still am somewhat embarrassed to admit this, but it showed how much I care about this old truck. I don't dread those long days in the garage, I look forward to them.

To answer your question on how long it would take, like most things old truck..."that depends on a lot." But remember a old adage, "Figure your projected time and expenses, then triple it, you will be somewhere in the ballpark." Good luck,
Steve O

danny
you're going to get lots of input from many who have been involved w/ these these old bolts for a long time. many still love L6's and many love V8's.
i suggest you buy leo's book on L6's just to see what you can do w/ an L6.
Do you want stock?? a daily driver?? rod the baby a little?? or is this a fun truck that only sees daylight during the summer months @shows??
IT's YOUR truck.
There is tons of info as to V8's.
answer some questions as to what YOU want to do and have when you are done or @ least head in a direction of accomplisement and goals.
If you like automatice trannys ... then go w/ that.
if you MUST have tons of power @$3.50 a gallon :mad: :mad: go w/ that in mind.
It's NO easy answer when you ask a general question.
and
if deals come along and you have a pretty good idea what direction you're headed... grab it and be happy.
in the long run if you change horses in the middle of the stream it costs doe.
do you want a cliped front end?? IFS?? (rebuilt) straight axle??
you can have a three speed auto on the floor...
http://www.lokar.com/interior_pages/shifters_knobs.htm
and forget that linkage crap off the tree.

good luck and ask us all again

Ps
I'm changing the complete drive line components, brakes rear end and always looking for what i need to finish my goal. almost a ground up cause it's a daily driver. new paint all over and it's going on two+++ years.

Hello Everyone, I read familiar comments to my situation with dannybambino and nifty 50. This is my first post as a member. ITS ALL NEW to me also. A storm came through my area recently and TRASHED my cab when it blew it off the frame it was resting on. Totaled my camper too, so my challenges begin from the start. I also will have ALOT of things to ask everyone. I look foward to starting mine this summer. Thanks Rick

Which automatic depends on you and your truck. If you still have the stock rear end, it should have either 3.90 or 4.10 gears, iirc. These are not good for highway cruising. With them, I would recommend a TH700R4, which is a 3 speed with a .7 overdrive. Buy one that has been upgraded, the early models were lacking on some of the internals, but will work great when built to later specs.

If your gear ratio is under 3.42, you will want to consider the TH350 or TH400. The 400 is a stronger tranny, but has a considerable power loss. The TH350 can take almost any small block you put in front of it, without the losses of the TH400. Both are 3 speed autos.

There are also the powerglides, but they don't have the durability of the other boxes without major improvements, and they are a 2 speed box.

I wouldn't recommend a hydramatic. They were a good tranny 40 years ago, but finding anyone who can work on them is getting tough, as well as the prices going sky-high.

If you have any other life, forever. When i was 20 i could work in the shop half the night 6 day/week. Now i'm lucky to get 3 hours a week.
I have known people that finished of frame restos in a few months, working every day on the project.

Nice... narrowed down a lot now... I found a 283 and I'm staying with the three in the tree. I'd like to try and stay close-ish to factory, but I'm probably going to need some taller gears to pass a car, unless I'm going downhill in a hurricane, right? Any options for bolt-in tranneys that might do the trick?

You guys are killing me!
I'm about to start on the body of my 53 and don't see the engine part happening for probably at least 6 months to a year. I'm not a patient person...

Just a general update... motor's rebuilt... found a tranny... starting body work... found a 58 gmc for some odds and ends... but I have some questions:

where can a person find the deluxe trim package that fits over the fleetside flare?

best power steering options?

some kind of sound dampener for the engine bay?

can you believe how expensive this hobby is?

Thanks guys... Daniel

Danny,
Start a new thread about your other questions. and send pictures. What tranny did you end up finding... TH 350? TH 400? 700R4?

Best of Luck
John

Hello and Welcome. Always glad to have new blood to take up interest in old Chevys. I understand that you feel somewhat daunted and unsure where to begin. Of course your welcome to ask whatever is on your mind but bare in mind that opinion questions bring so many responses and generally don't answer your specific concerns. There are some really knowledgeable people here who are always happy to help anyone in need.

Once again, welcome aboard.

I'd listen to Fred T, if I were you. I have the exact same truck.