235 vs V8

[superbirdkiwi]

Hi

I am looking at purchasing a very nice restored 1957 truck. This truck has been restored to stock and to the highest level.

My concern is that it remains its 235 engine and I was hoping for a V8 for driving pleasure, as I live in a hilly area.

How does the 235 preform? especially on hills etc

Regards
Gary McNeill
New Zealand

[booger1949]

its handles it since 1957 so it should b ok, i mean theres nothing like a v8, so is it an origanal rebuild, like is it the origanl trans an rearend

[superbirdkiwi]

Originally Posted by booger1949

its handles it since 1957 so it should b ok, i mean theres nothing like a v8, so is it an origanal rebuild, like is it the origanl trans an rearend

Hi

As far as I am aware it still has the original running gear.

I am mainly wanting a truck that looks original (wheels, tyres, stance, paint etc). So having a fitted V8 would be preferable (but not hotrodded etc).
I own many hi preformance rare Muscle cars, so I am now looking for a classic truck (complete oppersite)

So you think I would be disappointed with the 235?

Gary

[1953chevyroc]

110 hp, low gearing and 3 speed manual transmission. We can't tell you what you'll be disappointed with, only you can know that, but these trucks were not fast by any stretch of the imagination. Will it make it through hilly areas? Yes. Will it do it without working it really hard? No. If you want performance go with a V8, if you want original keep the 235.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by 1953chevyroc

... If you want performance go with a V8, if you want original keep the 235.

Though I have a nice little 283 in mine I think the 235; nicely dressed out, scores higher on "cool factor" too.

[mr48chev]

They work fine and are pretty reliable but you have to get used to life in the slow lane. If you are good for taking it a bit slower and easier the six will be fine. If you are one who always has to run at the speed limit or above on the freeways and are intent on making miles on road trips it may not be the best. In your case one of your cars will probably do the longer road trips (if you still have one or more) to events and the truck would make the shorter trips and that would work.

[18tahoe]

Keep the 235, but I like them

[NEWFISHER]

I have 2 stovebolt 6's now and wouldnt swap a V8 in either of them. They are not as torquey, zippy fast or do tire smoke shows, but thats not why I own them. they are simple, reliable engines and I just enjoy driving slower in both trucks. if you want to go fast use:
1969 Mercury Cyclone, 390GT, 4 speed, 23000 miles
1970 Plymouth Superbird, 6PK, 4 speed
1970 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet, 4 speed
1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429, concours (just sold)
2010 Husqvarna TC450 MX bike (it hurts me, everytime)

Any of those^
If you want to just enjoy the drive, leave the 6

[andrew_k]

Somebody put a 283 in mine, but I'd love to have the original 6!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Just to tease you. I have this photo from the 67-72 board. I stole it from member N2Billet - I think. I titled it as a 292 but it is a 250 in a '67.

He painted it with automotive paint out of a gun including the distributor cap. The billet parts came from a variety of sources, but they're out there. To me? This shows just how great a straight six can look and how much more unique they look than even a well dressed SBC. Again, just to give you and others ideas.

[Midgets50]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Just to tease you. I have this photo from the 67-72 board. I stole it from member N2Billet - I think. I titled it as a 292 but it is a 250 in a '67.

He painted it with automotive paint out of a gun including the distributor cap. The billet parts came from a variety of sources, but they're out there. To me? This shows just how great a straight six can look and how much more unique they look than even a well dressed SBC. Again, just to give you and others ideas.

so im kinda curious about his radiator hose that goes from the block to his driver side fender. what is this? and why is it like that?

[robin58]

N2Billet still has my favorite quote of all times on this board when he said "V-8's are like bellybuttons, everybody has one".

[1project2many]

Here's a very simple answer. Drive the truck for a bit then decide what you want to do. This old truck may be disappointing in many ways. Manual brakes, loose manual steering, poor ride, and cab noise are all valid complaints compared to vehicles built in later years and especially today. There's a reason so many of these trucks get highly modified. If you're going to drive it as an original truck you have to have the mindset that you're driving it for the experience of what life was like when the truck was new, and for the pleasure it brings as you see other people enjoying it. Even with a V8 there's going to be people trying to pass you or cut you off. It looks old and therefore it is slow, clunky, smokey, and just plain old. An old timer (and friend) said to me upon seeing my truck fully assembled after the restoration was done... "I think that's the nicest piece of s##t old truck I've ever seen." I knew what he meant and appreciated the compliment.

[northerngmc]

Top speed will be your big concern. Stock rear gearing was 3:90 and my 59 with a 235 ran comfortably at about 55 mph.
I have since swapped the 3:90 to 3:38 and it is better as I can cruise it at 60 - 65 mph.

One big consideration is the rest of the truck. 4 wheel drum brakes, manual steering and leaf springs on all corners make this truck a chore to drive at any speed.

[AZ59apacheguy]

Originally Posted by northerngmc

Top speed will be your big concern. Stock rear gearing was 3:90 and my 59 with a 235 ran comfortably at about 55 mph.
I have since swapped the 3:90 to 3:38 and it is better as I can cruise it at 60 - 65 mph.
.

What were you taching with the 235 & 3:90 combo at 55mph? That's the combo I have in my '59 too.

[Midgets50]

how well will a 3.73 work with a stock 235. i wish i could find a 250 around here but no one has one

[robin58]

Originally Posted by Midgets50

i wish i could find a 250 around here but no one has one

Use searchtempest to search all the craigslist sites for something like 1000 miles from your zip. There's a bunch of them on there.

Most probably too far away but keep watching and I bet you'd be surprised how often they pop up at around $150.

[Hot Rod Todd]

Gary, you have a bunch of cars that do perform, so having one that doesnt shouldnt be a major for you.

But I suspect that you will soon tire of the resto 235/3speed/stock suspension & steering gig, and I suspect the truck will only get used on short journeys.

We just removed a 70s 250 Chev 6 & Toyota 5 speed from our 48 truck recently to replace it with a 350/700R4 and the truck is a pleasure to drive (with Jag suspension & steering).

I would suggest you stick with the 235 and see if the resto ride is your kind of thing. If its too boring, then rethink the strategy

[NEWFISHER]

Nice truck! Enjoy it how it is, it is yours.
Posted via Mobile Device

[superbirdkiwi]

Wow, you guys are harsh!

I am sure I said that I like the "stock look", not "concours".

[NEWFISHER]

Hahaha....I think magicoolbus was being constructive and orrieg's smiley face was sarcasm. Either way, its a really nice truck and i will be watching its progress. post pics of the wheel change! Are you going body color and wide whites or black walls?

[OrrieG]

Yes I was being a smart alex, it is a very nice truck. I know about stock 57's that color here is a photo of my first TF in 1969, bought with 52K miles from the Forest Service.

[superbirdkiwi]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

Hahaha....I think magicoolbus was being constructive and orrieg's smiley face was sarcasm. Either way, its a really nice truck and i will be watching its progress. post pics of the wheel change! Are you going body color and wide whites or black walls?

Thanks

Once again, I like the stock "look", but I have mixed it up a little.
I have purchased a set of 15 x 6 rims (rather than 15 x 5) and I will be powder coating them Ocean green (if thats the correct colour name?).
Along with the chrome trim rings (ribbed) and hub caps with the 4 bowties.

I will be fitting Goodyear 215 x 75 x 15 with a 3 1/4 white wall.

[northerngmc]

Sounds like I am running the GMC version of what you have planned for wheels!


the 215/75/15 are a small tire but that is what I am running. If I could change one thing on my truck I would try harder to find a taller tire to help with the gear ratio.

With 3:90 rear gear it was about 2600 rpm at 55 MPH.
Now with the 3:38 rear gear it is about 2200 rpm at 55 mph or better 2500 rpm at 60 mph.

If I could find 215/85/15 tires I could drop the 2500 rpm at 60 mph down to 2300 rpm.