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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 12 | Hey guys new here i have a 1958 chevy fleetside with a straight six 235 id like to be able to cruise when im done... is there any combination of tranny and rearend ratio i need to use to get descent hwy spped plus descent gas mileage... id ideally like to swap the old three speed on the columb for a aoutmatic or 5 speed manual tranny... can this be done.. and what about a 2brl or 4brl carb swap vs the old single barl... | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | The stock rear will be fine if you swap to an overdrive transmission. The easiest swap would be to use the factory 3 speed with the Borg-Warner overdrive, it's a direct bolt in. You can usually find them for around $150.
The next option, if you want to stay manual, would be to use a T5 from an S10, which would get you the overdrive gear. That swap has been covered numerous times. try doing a search for "T5 swap" to get the specific information.
Going automatic will require an aftermarket adapter, either from Langdons or Buffalo, as the 235 will not directly bolt up to the modern overdrive automatics.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 12 | | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 | I don't know if you live or drive much in a large city but i have a t-5 in my 54/235, but if you do you may want to seriously consider an 700r4 automatic. i like the t-5 and on the highway i get 20-23 mpg but when i go to Indianapolis to see my son an auto would be nice.
Ron, The Computer Greek I love therefore I am.1954 3100 Chevy truckIn the Gallery 2017 Buick Encore See more pix1960 MGA Roadster Sold 7/18/2017
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 13 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 13 | I have a 1950 Chev. "DeLux SportCoupe" which came from the factory with the 235 cu.in. and "PowerGlide" transmission. Upgraded it with a 1961 235, higher lift cam, fenton headers,and overhauled the "PowerGlide" (had it since 1951 and 67XXX miles ago)kept the orginal intake and carburator. The old girl gets away from the stop signs and down the highway with no problems at all. Took me a long time to get the new water pump from "Patricks"
I kinda "Ball Parked" the horsepower at around 130HP, compared to the orginal 100 HP. (It`s fast enough for me and the wife. (Had her since 1951 also.) | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 |
Ron, The Computer Greek I love therefore I am.1954 3100 Chevy truckIn the Gallery 2017 Buick Encore See more pix1960 MGA Roadster Sold 7/18/2017
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,878 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,878 | Do you still have the original engine? I'm looking for a correct-number 1950 Bel Air 235 to use on a restoration project.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 13 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 13 | Yes;
I pulled the engine last summer, it had been overhauled about 25 yrs ago. I would guess the engine has less than 10XXX miles on the ovrhaul. Didn`t smoke, no unusual noise.
It`s been sitting outside between the silos since last summer.
I had to use the front engine mount for the new engine, so, you would have to replace the front covers. It`s also missing the intake/exhaust and carburator.
I told another "interested party" that it would have to be gone by the 1st of May or the slavage yard would own it. $100.00
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