Looking for input on how I should proceed with a build on a IHC Travelall. Found in old junkyard without any drivetrain. Plan is to make it a road worthy unit for pulling my 1962 Shasta that I just completed. All thoughts will humbly be considered...
Without knowing what you have to start with I'd keep it plain and simple as well as safe; brakes, electrical including gauges, steering and suspension including tyres. You may need some new rubbers to keep out the dust, fumes and water. Safety first. What about a hitch to tow the van? The trim might need some work as well. I'm sure that it wouldn't be too hard finding a SBC with OD transmission to replace the missing drive train and make those highway miles pleasant and economical. You'll need to fabricate all the mounts and have a tailshaft and exhaust made. A modern radio wouldn't help either. Later on you may consider adding disc brakes and a tandem MC? All the costs will soon add up. I don't know what your skill set is however the more you can do the more $$ you can save.
One option would be to locate an IH V8 gas engine, like a 345 or 392, those are good well built engines that when maintained well they'll last a lifetime, and they have really good low RPM torque, just what you need for towing. An OT option would be to find an older 6.9 liter diesel V8, I love those engines, throw a Banks turbo on it and you'll LOVE it, but we better not talk about that or we might get the thread shut down. I believe they all used Torque flight trannies, so that wouldn't be difficult to locate. A second option, maybe the easy way out, is to go the SBC route, plenty of options available there, including crate engines to make it even easier. I'd back it up with a TH400, no OD needed for a tow vehicle, in fact they aren't really useful when towing. What you may consider is to use a tall rear gear and a Gear Vendor underdrive to give you more speed ranges. That would give you the durability of the TH400, better fuel mileage and lower RPM hwy speed, and better pulling power and better gear selection for hill climbing. I'd also consider upgrading the brakes, going with discs up front. When hauling the trailer it's nice to have good brakes for down hill stops.
460 Ford C-6 and you can pull your trailer no sweat and the distributor is in the front. I wouldn't go small block unless it was a 383 for towing. Those Travelall's are heavy and need torque. My mom and step dad towed an Airstream all over with a 345.
That's a good point, there is a major difference in how the Chevy and the IH engines pull. The Chevy needs RPM's or it falls on it's face, that means it needs more gearing to keep the engine on the boil. The IH engine has a very different torque curve, when you hit a hill and rpm's drop, the torque rises, and the engine settles down into a low rpm high torque pulling mode, it works very well. Where the Chevy will fall on it's face the IH will just keep on chugging. But with plenty of gearing, where you can keep the Chevy in it's power range it will do fine. It's just more of a fatiguing way to travel IMO. I like that low RPM chug of the IH. The 392 is a beast. Of course, about now is when he Caddy guys will chime in about low rpm torque!
Where's the pictures? About 25 years ago a buddy's dad had one that was used as a rural school bus from the same era. 4wd, looked like it could climb walls on those old mud grips. I shoulda grabbed it, but didn't realize its value at the time.
We have a 55 IH pickup around here that has been hot rodded and looks great. Dare to be different I say...
The only reason I didn't suggest an IH was, that although not traditional, they are gas guzzlers and like a drink despite having the torque required to move from point A to B. There is a late 40's KB series IH van over here with a blown hemi however I won't go there either. A later GM diesel could probably work with the original rear axle (3.07:1) but only to a point. I only suggested a SBC due to low financial outlays when compared to an IH engine and transmission etc. The OEM engine was only a 220ci 6cyl with 100hp @ 4K rpm and moved it along, but not fast as it weighed over 4k lbs. Not seeing any photos or knowing the OPs skill set makes its hard. IH offered the Travelall in competition to the GM Suburban. What does the OP have, R or S series; S-110 or heavier duty S-120 as the 1st generation body ran from 1953 through to 1957?
If it was a Chevy suburban or a Ford panel nobody would question why it was being hot rodded. Just because it is not a belly button 32 Ford does not mean it can not be a hot rod. Carry on sir with your IH . Some someone who builds odd rods all the time.
Look at the old drags and salt meets, you will see one as a tow vehicle....hmmnnnn, exactly as he said...a tow vehicle.. carry on, Lmfao.. ...spend time chopping the top up on that stock A you got! I got some free sawzall blades a long time ago, I can send you one? hey, don't pick on me! I just got out of an "institution" ...they claim I am ok? I am not sure yet! 'Hey Southcross, See I AM ok! ...just like "they" claimed!!..because... I gave away my 32 I just finished after a 10 year freaking ordeal! I am glad that belly button is gone! ,,, but...I can still borrow it if I want to go chase some Cuties!.. My old 1970 daily driver wagon broke down a week ago, or get the camper van to run? I guess I am simply too unconcerned to fix them?, Oh!, and I let my drivers permit expire.. Hey, I will get a Cutie to DRIVE me around! SEE? all perfect planning, or just not giving a chit?! hey guys & gals, lighten up a bit, as Red Green always said "we are all in this together" ! (car & truck idiots!! )
Had a couple of '63 Internationals. A crew cab pickup and a 4x4 with a service bed (tool box on wheels). Both had the 266 cu in V8 with granny gear 4 speeds. They weren't fast and only got in the 10 to 12 mpg economy range, but fully loaded would climb any hill you could put in front of them. Don't know it it's the firing order or what but they have a sound all their own. 18" glass packs and 6' cab stacks will bring a smile to your face. Have an OT '06 Dodge Cummins now, but I still miss the old cornbinders.
I second the 345 or 392 IH SV-V8. There isn't a Ford or Chebbie that will come close in durability and pure grunt. These are truck motors made for trucks, not car motors modified for truck service. Good running cores are still fairly reasonable and easy to find, especially in farm country as many an old grain truck came loaded with either a 345 or 392. Rebuild kits are readily available and not as expensive as you would think. Keep it all IH and embarrass the next bro-dozer you pull up to on one of those long Colorado climbs. Side Note: The 6.9 (or 7.3) IDI is a worthwhile suggestion, even though it is not necessarily HAMB friendly. Lots of grunt and you should get 20+ mpg with the right gearing and tranny.
My '53 R120 Travel all wound up on an '85 F-350 FWD chassis with a 6.9 Navistar diesel. Cut down the wheel base to 115 inches. It removed the drop in the frame that is behind the truck cab to give it a flat frame. I'm away at the moment or I'd attach a photo. Sent from my XT1254 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Blues, are you meaning the first types of Cadillac OHV 8? or like the later model ones in later 60s and all the way up 80s? Hey, if you were talking about the 49-62s you gotta try an early Olds rocket .. geebus I cannot believe how much nuts my sons showed to me with my old 32.. it is only a 30 over at some point, and stock heads (1955 324) 2x2 mildish hyd cam from way back, a crower, not much else I can think of.. wowee.
listen...oh, oh, that word again! you know somethins coming...lol..Don't tell me what to do!!! ok? "need pics"... well ok, you ARE right!..sorry lol two of them, both owned by a friend .. 48 pickup with what is called a Knox Box, a option? made of weird diamond plate but not diamonds, they are small squares, and I know it says Knox on a plate? as well as on the tailgate center there. Then he built a "gypsy wagon" body on what I think he said is a 37, but he put a much larger INT straight six and swapped some higher speed rear , maybe a two speed? IDK. inside it has a wood fired oven/stove to do the Christmas and Thanksgiving turkey...no lie, and a composting toilet, I forget the rest.. all he made from stuff he finds,,, even the tiny cabin home and amazing buildings to house all of these incl 2 Model a's wow this guy has some talents as well as his gal, too..
Don't even think about any big block engines! The steering box is in the way of anything but a small block Chev or Ford and even then the engine has to be offset to the passenger side. Mind you, we did put a Chrysler FirePower hemi in one years ago. Had to swap in a '39 IH steering box behind the axle but it worked! The steering wheel was just about flat like a bus.
Since I am very "traditional" ........my vote would be to stay with IHC power of some sort. I am a very, very old Chev guy, but I just don't think a cool truck like this deserves another small block. You have a very unique vehicle.....keep it that way. I grew up in a small Iowa farm community with lots of IHC tractors supplied by a local franchised dealer on the edge of town who also sold trucks. While still in high school, I hauled groceries between our little town and a big town where the wholesalers were. We had three IHC vehicles.... a worn out pale blue Metro delivery van.......a 1/2 ton green panel based on the same vehicle you have.....and a big yellow 2 ton enclosed box truck. All worn out, but all great workhorses. One quick story about being good on low end torque and low rpm power. I would haul trash with the half ton to the local land fill. One day I got a little too far over the slight dirt bank where we dumped......it was hard packed greasy mud....I decided my only strategy was to get into the truck....put it in low gear......jump out with the wheels slowly spinning.......get to the back of the truck and PUSH......when truck got traction......run like hell......jump in the seat and GAS it !!! Long live IHC.
What a great story, and reminded me of days gone by on our relatives farm who also had a IH pickup, not sure what size but about same year. When we visited my cousin would say it must be time to go out into the paddocks and pickup sticks. He would pile us in the truck and drive out into a paddock that had been ploughed and put the pickup in I guess low or granny gear and let it just wonder around the paddock driverless while we all followed throwing all exposed roots, stones and sticks into the box. It would just labour along but never bog which surprised me being that it was in a fresh ploughed field. Great days and memories.
Rod the IHC theres nothing wrong with it. I personally am putting a SBC in mine because of availability and cost of parts.
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