So I've got a 53 Chevy project and was able to pick up a good 250 a while back. I was hoping to go with a 700r4, but a buddy of mine has a th350 he needs to sell. The car already has an open driveline (70 nova rear end I think) I'm not sure of the gear ratio in the rear, I can jack it up tomorrow and check. It doesn't have a driveshaft, so I'm going to have to get one made either way. Any advice on which way I should go? I know the 350 has one less gear, but I would be helping out a buddy and getting a tranny with a torque converter in the process.
nothing wrong with the 350, just make sure you have a rearend gear that's appropriate for how you intend to drive it. It's alot cheaper and easier to install the 350 vs. the 700R4. Mount the engine as far back as you can for radiator clearance.
The 250,turbo 350 combo was the norm in a lot of Novas so what you have is probably the right combination. It ought to make a sweet little cruiser out of the 53. The now beyond worn out 250 in my 48 had 90+K on it when I put it in and I ran it every day for 15 years often on a 47 mile one way commute.
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