Hey everyone, I have a new to project coming soon. I'm trying to figure out the drivetrain. I know it's early, as I still have to change all the gaskets, interior , brakes and suspension. However there are some good opportunities for Motors out there right now and I like to have a plan. Right now it's a 54 3100 Chevy with the 4 Speed granny low tranny and a unknown condition six cylinder 235. I'm on the fence if I want to keep the six cylinder as there's a restored one locally for sale or go the small V8 283 route with a Saginaw 4-speed I have here. I'm in PA so hills are an issue and the 3 speed Vehicles I've had in the past was terrible. Ive driven 6 cylinders from the 60s is not terrible with the right gearing and tranny and I could live with it and have fun. I've never had a 235 and I worry even with dual carbs, dual exhaust I won't be able to take the truck on the highway, or be constantly disappointed. I know you can't answer what will make me happy, I understand either option will require drivetrain work etc. Just looking for opinions, wanting to avoid dumping money in the wrong direction. I'm really leaning a little more towards the V-8 as they never disappoint, but I know that invites a lot of other issues too. My main goal for this vehicle will be a 40% daily driver in about 6 years from now. And I'm not opposed to the ifs route but I'd prefer to keep the solid beam as I drive solid axle Jeep now daily. You're opinions are appreciated.. Thanks Bob
Had a 50 with a 350/ 3 speed. It was a blast! Had a 48 with a 6/ 3 speed, great truck , not so much of a hotrod. Sent from my LG-TP450 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
283 four speed would be my choice. Its not common knowledge but a 283 will not use any more fuel than a 235.
The V8 chevy truck bellhousing from 55 thru 59 and the later six and V8 bellhousings from 63 thru 69 will bolt to your 54 rear crossmember. use the six throwout fork and you clutch linkage will all fit. if 60 thru 62 V8 bell will also bolt to your crossmember but the have a hyd clutch release and the throwout fork is on the pass side.
Thank you all, I think I'll attempt to get the in there running and moving until I can get a v8 setup ready to go..
If you never experienced a 283 w/ 4 speed, now is your chance. You won't be sorry. I learned to drive on a 65 Chevy truck, 283, 3 on the tree. One sweet little motor in a hard working farm truck.
Another vote to go with the 283. It will be a fun driver and later you can go with a bigger engine since you will already have mounts and linkage. Consider a four speed automatic too, or a five or six manual.
Was thinking that if the 3100 weighed enough, the six w/a 5 speed would be worth considering. Hard to improve on a 283 w/a 4 spd wide ratio Muncie
I would go with a SM 420 granny low 4 speed. He can even find them that will fit his torque tube drive rear end. With a granny low trans you have a slow first and reverse. Yet you can pull tall rear gears and or tall tires and have fast highway speed without excessive engine RPM. My 66 GMC has a 250 six factory granny 4 speed and 336 rear gears. It pulls good will easily keep up with traffic and doesn't guzzle gas.
283/4speed.. That's what was is mine 35 Ford 5W... nothing better than a solid lifter 283 backed by a Muncie speed ..
With a 283 there's not a lot, if any, to be gained from a 5 speed OD trans. First of all, it doesn't hurt the little V8 to run higher RPM's at highway speed all day long, and there is little to no fuel mileage improvement with the OD, but there is a significant lack of low end pulling power in OD. My vote would be for the 283/4 speed.
I have the same decision. When I get back on the 49 gmc I will be setting up the chassis. I have a great running 235 and a 283 that needs built. The 235 had plenty of torque just needed more gears. Cruising at 65 was no problem with 355 gears and should do even better with a 5 speed. Decisions decisions decisions
I have a 37 with a 235 and a 5 speed and it does just fine,I thought it would do better on the gas but it has plenty of power for what it is.
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