The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop NEED HELP WITH 60's 194 ENGINE on 51 TRUCK

So came to find out my 1951 1/2 ton truck has a 60's 194 engine...This is my first chevy not to mention with a different motor.

It currently doesn't have an exhaust system other than the exhaust headers; before getting the pipes installed I would like to know if there are headers such as "FENTONS" made for this engine?
It does have a "Clifford 6=8 intake manifold with a 4 barrel carb...How can this engine match upto a 216 or a 235, which is what typically see on this trucks? thank you for the help

The 194 was the first in a series of thinwall casting 6-cylinders that use the same bellhousing bolt pattern as the V-8's. Others in the series include the 230, 250, and they share the same bellhousing bolt pattern as the 292. Your truck could have been converted to that engine by installing a V-8 bellhousing from the 50 or 60's with a little tinkering with the crossmember where the bellhousing mounts. That allows the same transmission to be bolted up to the late model engine. Speed or accessory equipment for a 230 or 250 will be a close match to that engine, which is totally different than the 216/235 types.
Jerry

Edit: Unless you use a very small 4-barrel, your carburetor choices will be extremely limited. That engine simply does not have enough displacement to need a 4-barrel, or enough volumetric flow to make one work properly. A progressive 2-barrel like the Holley/Weber would be a much wiser carb choice.
Jerry

Tom Langdon's Stovebolt Engine Compay sells this style cast headers for your engine. And the Holley/Weber Carb.

http://www.stoveboltengineco.com/acartpro/product.asp?productid=171

Drew, Thank you for the info...the headers look good, I think I will probably buy a set of those.

Jerry, I've never driven a 235 and have only driven this 194 around the block because of the lack of pipes...how would the two compare in powere...do you know?

The reason I ask is because the truck came with a 235 on side that I thinking of installing instead of the 194, that is if the 235 is a better choice. BTW, I am planning on daily driving my truck.

Thank you

The 194 is a good engine, but it will be a little weaker than the 235 in the torque (load-pulling) department. Putting the 235 back in won't be a bolt-in situation, as several semi-permanent modifications would have been done to make the 194 fit. If you want a little more power, I'd suggest finding a 250 6-cylinder which will bolt right in using the same mounts that fit the 194. If your 235 came with the bellhousing and motor mounts that fit the truck originally, the swap back will be simpler, but still not easy. The 194/250 engines weigh a lot less than a 235.
Jerry

What type of tranny would they have use with the 194? I know I have a close drive...How can I find the model on the transmission?

Is it a 3 or 4 speed? If it's a 4-speed floor-shifted unit, it's probably a SM-420, the original-equipment transmission. The 3-speed column shift with the torque tube would also be original. Either one will have the same transmission bolt pattern as the later-model open driveline trans.
Jerry

Is a 4 speed on the floor. So, the SM-420 is original to the truck?
Do you if that unit had an option for a reverse light switch...I am eventually looking to ad b-31 for reverse light.

Thank you for all the inside knowledge Jerry

The early SM-420's had a bracket that bolted to the top of the transmission case for a backup light switch, and a tab that attached to the shift handle with a setscrew to operate the switch. It's fairly simple to fabricate a similar switch setup if the original isn't available using a push-button starter switch and some angle iron, a small hose clamp, and other standard hardware.
Jerry

If you do go to he 230-250 enging hang on to the 194 head it will increase the compresion on the other engines. I have one in my 65 and am in the process of gathering parts to put TBI on it, the biggest problem with the 194 is it doesn't have the boss in the back of the block for the clutch linkage, had to fab that but it turned out OK. Mine has a T-5 in it but that would require a open drive line.

Thank you for all the info...very valuable