Technical 250 inline 6 with 350 trans

Hello everyone I have a 1952 Chevy ton truck I am looking to install a 250 inline 6 motor with A350 transmission
I have done some research and seen the the bolt pattern for the bell housing is the same
As far as flex plate or torque converter what do you guys recommend I should put on for street use only

Thanks

 

hi, use a stock converter for the engine/transmission combination. The flexplate....probably 153 tooth, and matching starter. Pick some vehicle like a late 60s to mid 70s car, and buy all the parts for that.

 

Yes sir what about something from the mid 80s- would that work??
Or the years u saying is best

 

What year is the engine you have?

 

Mid 60s

 

68bto be exact

 

The TH350 came along in 1969, and the integral head 250 replaced the separate head version around 1975, and by the late 70s they quit putting the straight 6 in cars.

 

Wouldn't you be better off with a V8 in a vehicle that large and heavy? I am a six cylinder fan but it is asking a lot of any six to handle a truck like that, especially loaded.

 

Oh ok gotcha,
I have a th350 sitting in my shop but idk wat year it's off of ,
So more likely I would need a th350 from the 70s n 80s yes?

I like the inline 6ers nd with a nice rear end off a Camaro I should be set

 

I totally hear u boss but this is my girlfriends truck nd she wants it with the 6er
Plus the truck is gonna be a cruiser

 

My daughters 64 c10 has a 250 with a turbo 350 , drives very well. Like squirrel said 153 tooth flexplate and starter with a small bolt pattern converter, You can tell the dummy behind the counter that its a 1970 camaro with a 250 and a 3spd auto just make sure its not a late model th350c lock up trans

 

Hey lumpy63
Alrighty boss I will do that ,and as for a driveshaft wat year do i use?
I have a feeling i might have to fabricate one to fit due to the wheelbase being smaller at 115 or 1116

 

They put 250's in 3/4 ton Chevy pickups through at least 1977 and that would be the same weight or heavier than his truck. A 1 ton 51 Chev is still a 3000 series or big pickup even if it has dual rear wheels.
It will be a slug speed wise at low speeds but a real reliable slug. I put around 100K on the 250 in my 48 that had 90 K on it when I put it in.
Santiono2010 just do as Jim suggested and order The flexplate and converter for a later Chev that came with a 250 and turbo 350 Checkimang the listings you might just ask for the flex plate and converter for a 72 Chevelle with a 250 and turbo 350. That will get you the 153 tooth flexplate that works with your starter and the matching converter.

 

As the starter that's on my 250 now I will not be using that one anymore right??
The motor I have is off a 68 chevy

 

Your gonna havta measure and have one made most likely...

 

Count the teeth on the flywheel if it 153 you should be good

 

I put a 250 with a 2004r in a 51 js code one ton. Even found an automatic factory column shifter out of a gmc and changed it over. Was a sweet set up. I found a 4:10 chunk from a 68 with the HO 72 rear and left it 8 lug. Yep I did a disk brake conversion on all four corners and left the stock axles. Took a while to make caliper brackets but. I like the factory look.
It would cruise at 60-65 all day long. No problems

 

To complete the look. I put a started button from an M farmall where the foot started was and epoxied the factory metal pad to it. Fooled more that one person.

 

I'm thinking that the 1 ton came with a 2 piece driveshaft so you will have to have the front half made by a drive shaft shop to fit. That would be an extremely long one piece drive shaft if it was one piece.
If you are swapping rear axles to one with a better street ratio you will have to have a complete new driveshaft made. That is when it is best to take the truck to the driveshaft shop and say
"here, do it". That can be the last thing you do before you drive it though and actually tow it one way and drive it the other.

 

Sounds good

 

Good deal sir I will look into that
Thanks

 

I think all responders have guessed that you know already what you will have to do about motor mounts, transmission mount, etc. There is potential radiator clearance issues with the 250 since it is longer than the original 216. You mentioned a Camaro rear end. That will be 5-lug. What are your plans for the front axle which is originally 8-lug? (You said it is a 1952 Ton truck. Wheelbase 137" with a 9' long bed.) I think we all would like to see pictures of your project.

 

Hey Frank
The front axle was swapped to a 5 lug and I'm looking for a Camaro rear end right now, my truck is a 1/2 ton

As for the motor mounts ,that was gonna be next question to yall if I was gonna have to fabricate some up, and now that u mentioned about the radiator what issue would I be running into boss?

 

Ir looks like they swapped in a 1/2 ton axle in front then.
On the "radiator issue that Mo54Frank mentioned you will have to press the hub back on the water pump shaft and shorten the shaft. you have to use a shorter water pump pulley to do this. I press the hub back the distance to match the difference in pulleys. It's a simple process but it works a lot better if you have a hydraulic press to do it. Fan clearance is still an issue though and you will probably have to use an electric fan.

 

Oh ok gotcha Mr 48
I'm gonna do some research but on the hub what do u mean by pressing it?
I'm not sure how I'm pretty limited with tools and as the water pump I'm sure I can find one that wont be in the way of the radiator

 

You might want to double check the bolt pattern on a Camaro rear end. I say that because if you changed the front axle to a five stud truck version, it may be different than a car version. Five bolt half ton truck rear ends were common in the 70's and early 80's. And might have a better choice of gear ratios to pick from. Most cars seem to like ratios around 3 to 1, which isn't so hot for dragging that thing around with a Six. Sure optional ratios were available, but how easy are they to find now?

 

I heard that this would work but I really dont mind what rear axle I out on as long as it works

 

I used to drive a 1970 Chevy short box step side with a 250 six and 3 speed manual trans, it was a great little work truck and not too hard on gas but no powerhouse. I have also driven 3/4 ton and 1 ton V8 trucks that were slower than the little six cylinder half ton.

I'm not saying you can't drive a 1 ton with a six cylinder. I'm just saying you won't be driving it very fast, especially fully loaded. Don't plan on any interstate hiway driving.

 

It's a 1/2 ton truck I'm working on boss

 

I've got a 250 from a (72 N_ v_) and mid 70s t350 in my 36 Chevy 1/2 ton. Runs good down hill but with 2:73 gears in the (72 N_ v_) rear it's a slug up hill in these mountains . If I were you, I'd think about a rear axle with 3:42 or lower gearing, that will keep that half dozen in a happy place. Mitch