The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Swap to V6 or V8, which is better?

I have had a string of bad fortune (costing a fortune too) with my 1950 3100 pick up. I have had three 235 engines in it and nothing is working right. I am ready to swap out to a more modern engine and rear axle. I am not interested in peeling the tires off the wheels or impressing anyone with chrome. I just need a daily driver that will not hold up traffic on the freeway. Gas mileage is a thought too. Should I go with a V6 or V8? And if it is a V6 what year, size? I thought about buying a 90's S-10 pickup and use the engine, rear axle and such from that.

You don't mention your transmission choice. You might want to look into a later model inline 6 along with a T-5 5 speed. A 4.3 V6 or a V8 can be done it takes lots of work to do. The steering box is in the way for one thing. If you do a later inline 6 you have to fabricate mounts but things may be more friendly. The pros and cons have been discussed many times here and it boils down to how much effort you want to put into it, and how much $$ you have available for the project.

I'd like to here that to. I'd thought maybe a 4.3 V6. I have a nice 235 ready to go in now but maybe down the road.Larryw

I'm open to manual or automatic... so you say later model inline six... can you give me an idea of i should look for. My brother buys and restores wrecked vehicles for a living. What should i look for at the next auction?

When I said later model engine I was referring to a 250 or 292 and they are later model than your 235 they are still 30+ years old. There is a thread talking about 4.2 inlines which are real late model engine, check that thread about that option.
You can use either transmission, its up to what you would like.
Maybe you should give us more information what your looking to do besides drive daily at highway speeds. Are you going to do this job in your garage at home or hire it out? How long do you want your truck out of commission to do this project?
Don

what about this??? I always thought a straight 5 might be an interesting choice.

What's wrong with your (3) 235's?
What tranny do you have now?
You can get better gears (3.55:1) for your rear end, which will help with speed and mileage.

cm

If you have had trouble getting each of the 235 sixes to work, do you think a V6 or a V8 would be easier to figure out? The 235 is one of the most basic engines on the planet. Now, if you want more top end speed in your truck or more power than that is another thing.

I'd suggest a 292 engine, Turbo 700 overdrive automatic transmission, and an open-driveline rear axle somewhere in the 3.50:1 range. That running gear will get you into the mid-70's to mid-80's date range, and the 292 can be built into a real powerhouse if you choose. You'll need to fabricate some motor mounts, and possibly change radiators, but the upgrade isn't nearly as difficult as a swap to either V-6 or V-8 power.
Jerry