The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Stock or upgrade?

I had a plan to update the front brakes to disk, the rearend to a firebird and a t-5 transmission. I have purchased the parts but the more I work on the truck the less I want to change. I will only drive it to the lumber yard and to work now and then. If there is anyone driving a stock 52 3100 let me know if I am crazy. I am at the point where I need to decide one way or the other. The truck has a 235 from a 55 in it so it will never be a show truck. I have already started relocating the fuel tank from behind the seat. That was a concession to my wife and I will have to live with that modification. I am not sure if I want to have to keep up with what part was from what vehicle.

How far is it to work?
What type of roads?
How fast do you want to go?

wow. i have a 1952 stock truck with a 1954 235. so i have almost the same thing as you! It all depends. as tclederman said, distance, type of road, and speed are definatley important. We decided to keep the 3 on the tree because when im an old fart (im only 18) i want to be able to show my kids/ grandkids something unique. also if you hate shifting, then do the upgrade. the trans would definatley let you achieve higher speeds as would the better rear-end. my vote is for the stock tranny. and that sucks that you moved the fuel tank.

It is 13 milesNGO work on a two lane road with a 55 MPH speed limit. Mostly flat ground with a few small hills. I don't think it will ever see the interstate but I will probably put Patrick's 3.55 gears in it and put new bearings etc in the rearend.

Yup, I was in the same boat. I have a '50 3600 with a '62 235 in it- everything else was stock. For me, it was a safety issue with the brakes. I put discs on the front (using a 1/2 ton donor axle). I mostly drive 2 lane roads that are heavily used at times, so speed (lack of) was another saftey issue. Put a 3.42 rear axle on (with newer style drum brakes), now have 6 lug all around, and everything other than the radial tires and a little different stance, it still looks stock. Never going to be a show truck, but it's now so much more enjoyable to drive.

If you were going to install the 3.55 gear set, it would be pointless to put a T5 in for what you want to do. The T5 would be good for freeway cruising.

I hate indecision. I guess the main thing is the t-5 swap. I would like to keep the three on the tree. Anyone know what year three speed transmissions would let me keep my stock flywheel and clutch but allow me to use the firebird rearend?

Sounds like you just need to go to an open driveline 3spd. Just a guess, anything after 55/2nd series that came with a 235 should fit. You'll need a new driveshaft anyway, so you can get one made what ever length you need.

Thanks that sounds like what I was trying for. I will check eBay to see what is out there. Now I just have to check with CPP to see if I am goning to have any clearance problems with the master cylinder for the front disk conversion.

If you're planning to keep the 3-speed, an upgrade to a Saginaw full-synchronized 3 speed will allow you to use 1st. as a traffic gear, instead of coming to a full stop every time you want to go to low gear. The Saginaw was used from the late 1960's on, and it will be necessary to fabricate a custom driveshaft because of the length, and the output shaft spline.
Jerry

Hotrod Lincoln will I have any problems mounting the Saginaw to the stock bell housing? What is there now is the stock transmission with the flywheel from the 216 on the 55 vintage 235. So it still has the foot starter and shifter on the column. Would the Saginaw allow me to keep that setup?

I like your thoughts about retaining a three speed column shift. It also allows more room for a passenger in the middle of the bench seat.
The foot starter is also a great novelty to keep. My '59 Viking has a push button on the dash. It's better than a key switch (for nostalgia purposes) but no where near as cool as the foot stomper.

John

The main thing I would like is for it to be as stock looking as I can make it but still have a useable truck. Not having a sync on the first gear is one of my biggest complaints about the MGA. I would definately like one in the truck.

So after thinking about It I think stock closed drive and all. I can live with driving slow. Then if I hate it I can re-think things. I am going to hang on to the rear end, t-5 and disk brake kit. I really just want to see what I think about driving a somewhat stock 52 Chevy truck first. It will be a lot easier swap drive line later than it would be to put it back stock. Several friends have alerady told me I am crazy. I have been crazy for years. We will see how this turns out over time. I see a lot of trucks at shows that are hybrids but very few that are close to stock.

If you choose to upgrade to the Saginaw, it will bolt up to the same bellhousing and clutch assembly you have now. You will need to modify the shift linkage a little to make it work with your present column shift, IIRC, and convert to the open driveline.
Jerry

You don't have to stick to a 3 speed to use the 3 on a tree linkage. There are 4 speeds that will bolt in and shift from the tree. Reverse would have to be cable activated.

I had someone offer me a 3 speed out of a 66 c-10 today, for free. That brings on more thought. I will have to go Saturday to look at it. If it is a Saginaw I will Concider it. If it has overdrive I will take it as a sign from God.