The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop stock 4 speed with built 235

I am considering a Clifford Performance built 235 with 200 HP and 340 ft. lbs. torque in my 1949 Suburban restore. Would the stock 4 speed handle the job? It has been re-built to specs.

Thanks

I wouldn't worry too much-that trany is very tough, it'll handle that with no problem.

I would lose sleep over that torque tube and rear end. They were built to handel maybe up to 130 hp. If you end up changing the rear, you will probably end up with a newer tranny too. T-5, Muncie, Saginaw, or even a later sm420 set up for an open driveline.

The ratio,s arn,t very good for performance.

Tell me more about this Clifford 200HP 235.

The transmission shouldn't be a problem.

The torque tube might be.

The weak link in that drive line is the U joint in the torque tube, there is no way to predict when they will fail and no way to beef them up to prevent failure.
They do however, do an excellent job of getting all your horsepower to the wheels.
I would not worry about your sm420, once rebuilt you will not likely need to worry about it for decades.

With that motor, I would modify or change the entire drivetrain. A lot of it depends on what you want to do. If you want to tow, work and get more top speed - A newer sm420 w/O.D. If you want a nice cruiser and more top speed - a T-5 and then maybe a higher geared rear end either way you go. DEFINATELY radial tires. But that's just me. I am biased and I don't really know squat

The clifford long block comes with their cam, blueprinted head, single 4bbl or 2 bbl. balanced intake, twin header set up, valve cover, oil pan. They quote about $4,300.00.

I will use this vehicle just to go to local shows and cruises. Considering the Saginaw 4 speed conversion by Patrick's but I don't like the shift boot it looks like a 1960's JC Whitney piece.

Will be using the 216 valve cover and we are fabricating a lifter cover from the 216 that will fit the 235.

Strongly thinking about skipping the Clifford long block and just using a later year 235 that can produce close to 140 horse. That's really all I need. What does everyone think?

Wish me luck sandblasting tomorrow, now I'll know for sure what's under that paint.I bought this 1949 Suburban from the original owner last year, he still drove it at 85.Has every original part it left the factory with, even the original seat material on the mid and back seat.

O.K. You asked. I think you should save your time and money and just use the stock engine and gears if all you want to do is drive cruises and go to local shows. A 216 will suit that purpose quite well and with the original gears to boot. If you want cool looking vintage hot rod parts, they are available on ebay and relatively cheap for that motor. Dual exhaust and it will sound cool. And good luck on the sanding!