[drummin89]

I have no doubt the inline 6 will do what your planning, just think, it was used in large buses and trucks with no problems. Its just not going to be meant for higher speeds in stock form. But a few changes will make it more than able to do what you want.

A few good mods to make it more modern day friendly would be to switch out the transmission, T5's found in many GM vehicles is a perfect match for the 235, especially when you match it with the right rear end gearing. For brakes, many vendors carry disc brake kits for the front as well as the rear. The change to disc's also requires a dual master cylinder w/ proportioning valve, id also look at installing a power brake booster as well. The T5 and rear gearing change will allow you to keep up with everyone on the highway and the upgraded brakes will make sure you can stop with them too. For when you are hauling your dragster, there are air shocks available that you control the air pressure to from in the cab, that will stiffen or soften the rear suspension as needed.

Many people change out the generator for a 12 volt alternator and change all the electrical over to 12 volt as well. This requires changing out the ignition coil, all light bulbs and wiring in voltage reducers for the gas gauge and I believe heater motor if retaining stock gauges and options. Depending on condition of wiring, you may need to rewire the truck too. Many kits available. For the engine, a upgraded intake, carburetor and exhaust really open up these inlines. I installed a clifford 4bbl aluminum intake, holley 390cfm 4bbl carb and clifford dual tube heades on my 54 235 and all of it really showed the inline's potential. Another good mod out there is to swap out the stock points distributor for a H.E.I. electronic distributor found on GM 250ci inline 6's. Also did this and it was one of the best mods Ive done to it.

Another mod that I am doing to my 52 is adding power steering. Im keeping the straight axle so I picked up a toyota power steering box at the local auto yard that will basically mount in the stock box location. The only problem with running power steering with a inline 6 is that no makes brackets to mount a power steering pump so you would need to fabricate your own, but its not as complicated as it sounds. Im keeping it simple by moving the alternator to the passenger side and mounting the p/s pump where the generator/alternator use to be, instead of trying to squeeze it all on the driver side.