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| | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 10 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2010 Posts: 10 | I'm in the process of trying to buy a 54 Chevy 6400 straight six 4 and a 2. Is there anything specific to these trucks I need to double check (eg hidden rust areas or extreme wear points)? Would this be a 261 or did they also put the 235 in the 6400's? Thanks for your help!
Last edited by evansfarms7; 05/19/2010 2:48 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 |
The Loadmaster 235 was standard in a 64xx but the 261 was an option.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 48 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 48 | If the truck has any rust, I would expect rust in the cab corners, and be sure to look around where the cab mounts to the frame. Keep in mind a few things. Short of making some substantial drive train changes expect this truck to cruise in the 45 mph range. These trucks will pull a mountain but will take a while to do it. Also you will be hard pressed to get tires much less than $150 bucks each plus mounting. On the plus side I love my 49 6400. The cool factor is off the charts. I drove it from Tulsa to Oklahoma City down route 66 to pick up a two post truck hoist a few weeks ago. I know that lift had to weigh over a ton. I don't think the rear sat down a quarter inch! If fact the truck drove exactly the same! Loved every mile and thumbs up! | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 | Evansfarms: look on the RH side of the block for a couple of small bars, the Captains Bars as they are known. That is what quickly identifies a 261 from a 235. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | I've been told by several folks I trust that yes the presence of "Capitan's bars" most often indicates a 261, but some engines with bars are only 235's.
Anyone have details on this?
Grigg | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | Jim Carter's 261 Tech Tip (I think he has/had one casting code error) Unfortunate for a 1954 truck/engine owner, both the 235s and 261s that year have "Captain's Bars". The casting codes and/or engine serial numbers would be needed for a good ID. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 | There are some 261's that don't have captains bars. I had one. The casting numbers(on the passenger side of the block) are the best way to ID, in my opinion. | | |
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