I was messing around on Craigslist last night & found a '75 Ventura for 300 bones. I'm planning on updating my '50 Chevy truck & figured that all the usual stuff like subframe, rearend, springs would fill the bill. The only thing that seems to be holding me up is the 260 v8. Is this even worth the trouble to include in the drivetrain swap?
Check the engine displacement again! I don't remember GM ever having a 260 V8. 262, 265, 267 yes...but not a 260. That was in early 60's F&*d products.
The only reason I thought of running it was to get the truck on the road until I get something more suitable like a 350. Thanks for the input, guys!
I have a 260 for my 31 Chevy that is in my Uncle Nick's garage. It was pulled from a wrecked Olds in the early 70s. Supposed to have under 100 miles on it. Will I ever put it in anything? probably not.
The Ventura nose might be worth a few bucks on eBay, they're pretty hard to find anymore. And the body shell would have value to a circle track guy. But those little 70's V8s are ****ola, personally I'd look for a mid-80s car with a 200R4 at least (and even the 307 was a dog going down the road, we had a couple of those over the years).
its basically a nova with a different badge, so rear axle, subframe (if you are so inclined) column, etc are all doner friendly use the engine until you have enough moola to replace it
I've used '74 & back subs on AD ch***is and they are almost too wide. I believe the '75 up front steer subs are too wide. Charlie
I have a 260 and what ever transmission it had on it from a '80's Gutless. I plan to stick it in something real light real soon. I know it's a throw away motor and there is no HP potential, but it ran like a sewing mech., smooth and quiet, and it didn't smoke or leak. Like hawk said, it'll do for a while. At least till I get one of my flatty's built. I like to use stuff I have on hand too though. Waste not .....
Tred width is a problem. Fat man makes shorter upper and lower control arms. Other wise your tires will rub on the wheel openings.
I had that engine in a 78 Cutl*** Salon when i was in high school. Definitely very weak on HP, but it had decent torque compared to the 305 in the Phoenix I had before then. You could do worse for a "placeholder" engine. I just wouldn't invest anything in getting it to perform, just replace it when it lets go, or you have an SBC ready.
Track width is too wide, narrow a-arms are a band aid, plus the front steer gets into the bottom of the radiator. It is a lot of work even for the most experienced fabricator. Sell off what parts you can or the whole car and go with a Mustang II. Now I'm sure 20 people will come on and tell you how perfect theirs fits and how easy it goes on.
The 260 I had was smooth, ran like a top, made not much power. If I remember correctly, it is exactly the same as an Olds 350, meaning once you replace the motor you can just bolt in a 350 Olds without changing anything else at all.
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