1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver

[mechanixman]

Just a couple things on the V8 swap. Double and triple check clearances around the V8 when you install it. Because mine was so low, I had to cut the original motor mount out of the front cross member to make room for the harmonic balancer. (The picture is of the mount cut, but still sitting there.) This didn't matter to me because I'm not going to swap in the original motor anyway, but if you do the same, it may make for a sticky situation down the road.

If you're planning on making a tripower intake, start looking for parts now. People like to overprice those parts, but there still a good deal here and there. I spent 2 months looking for carburetors at a cheap enough price. Finally found a member of this forum that had 3 for sale at $25 each.

[99 to Life]

coach, just read this whole thread. Luv the truck. I really like longbed and the mods you made. also digging the I6 and drop axle. I'd just look for a decent running 235, keep this thing more OG. Heck build another truck and put a SBC in it, just my take. I got quite a few of these trucks. I think I might just do up the 3/4 ton I got too. My 52' will be along the lines of your truck, as long as I don't change my mind, teetering with IFS and bags with it, but man I just luv the drop axle flavor. oh, my names Henry btw, nice garage too. keep up the good work.

[dubie]

still one of my favorites builds. This truck has such a time less look to it.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

coach, just read this whole thread. Luv the truck. I really like longbed and the mods you made. also digging the I6 and drop axle. I'd just look for a decent running 235, keep this thing more OG. Heck build another truck and put a SBC in it, just my take. I got quite a few of these trucks. I think I might just do up the 3/4 ton I got too. My 52' will be along the lines of your truck, as long as I don't change my mind, teetering with IFS and bags with it, but man I just luv the drop axle flavor. oh, my names Henry btw, nice garage too. keep up the good work.

You bring up some good points, but here is the deal from my perspective.

I cannot justify another truck. We currently have 4 vehicle floating around the yard, and my daughter will start driving within a year or so, so that will add another. We live in town, and I hate to have stuff sitting on the street. Storage/ Parking, insurance, $$$$$, all play into this.

IF I did build another truck, bagged, SBC, whole nine yards, I can see Henry hardly ever being driven. Then what is the purpose??

The ultimate goal for me. A daily driver, plain and simple. I refuse to have a garage queen. My initial goal was something more original, but I am slowly changing that tune.

A SBC was not in the original plan either, but a free motor and tranny changes a persons vision quite a bit. It would have cost me $2000-3000 to build a 261 and find a decent tranny.

FWIW, drop axles are great, and somewhat affordable but man it rides rough. Roads in this town suck. Long term I will be looking into IFS, probably with bags Fr and Rr.

Either way, this is going to pretty much be a long term build for me. Tinker and modify in the winters, and drive all summer.

[99 to Life]

I feel yah. space is always an issue. I luckily have alot of land but hardly any roof space. I spent alot of this summer building fencing and gates to hide my stuff. I have 3 registered vehicles now and yeah I feel yah, keeping up with insurance and registration etc, you better be using them. I'd like a little of everything but if I'd only have to pick 3 it would be a truck, a suburban and COE, tho I'm doing a belair for the fam. But.... everything else I do I'd just sell. I guess I like trying different builds, I enjoy them. I wish I had a truck like yours thats been in the fam for so long, I think that is a great story. No one is gonna know what your body is riding on and or your engine when you drive past them and that is the most important part, driving them. Do you, I'm a fan of most all of it I6, Sbc, EFI, LS etc. It all moves and its all chevy so keep it up. The only benefit to having more rides is more options, you get tired of burnouts, dive the sixer, visa versa. have you thought about a t-5 swap at all?

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

I feel yah. space is always an issue. I luckily have alot of land but hardly any roof space. I spent alot of this summer building fencing and gates to hide my stuff. I have 3 registered vehicles now and yeah I feel yah, keeping up with insurance and registration etc, you better be using them. I'd like a little of everything but if I'd only have to pick 3 it would be a truck, a suburban and COE, tho I'm doing a belair for the fam. But.... everything else I do I'd just sell. I guess I like trying different builds, I enjoy them. I wish I had a truck like yours thats been in the fam for so long, I think that is a great story. No one is gonna know what your body is riding on and or your engine when you drive past them and that is the most important part, driving them. Do you, I'm a fan of most all of it I6, Sbc, EFI, LS etc. It all moves and its all chevy so keep it up. The only benefit to having more rides is more options, you get tired of burnouts, dive the sixer, visa versa. have you thought about a t-5 swap at all?

If I could drive Henry year round, I could easily ditch a vehicle, but he will not work during the winter in NoDak.

The T5 interests me, but the ease of an auto sounds nice too.

[99 to Life]

I had my 51' out for the pittsburgh autorama last year (100mi away) hit a snow storm half way down. Salt everywhere, pissed me off. Salt is the worst, along with my garage that sweats and rusts everything. always a struggle to overcome. i'd love to have a year round whip, but I drive long distance twice a week so gotta get good MPG, hmmmm maybe I'll be doing and LS swap in my 51' now!!! they get great mpg 23-25 I'v heard numerous times.

Im doing a t-5 swap on my 52'. My friend makes adapters to mate them up. Let me know if it ever comes up and you need one. they are decent price compared to the high dollar stuff out there.

[Fleet '66]

I just read through your whole build thread. Great job on this truck. I love the patina on Henry and you do real justice to it with your photog skills. You nailed the stance and everything's perfect. I hope the SBC transplant goes off without a hitch. It's too bad the 261 didn't work out but the V-8 will be fun too. Keep the pics coming.

[Coach529]

Not much to report, Henry's has been chillin in the garage waiting for his new motor and tranny to show up.



Still plunkin away on the garage. 75% of the electrical is done. Just some tidy up work and we can call it good.

Finally getting my bench built and some tools put away.



I got some Ink done on the inside of my arm in tribute to my Dad. Had to include "Henry". Hoping to get it finished up in a couple weeks.

[Elder Rogue]

On your post #394 you finished your outboard springs mounts for the s10.

How has that worked out for you?

I was thinking about doing this same thing.

Love the stance and look of your truck; it's one of my desktops now.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Elder Rogue

On your post #394 you finished your outboard springs mounts for the s10.

How has that worked out for you?

I was thinking about doing this same thing.

Love the stance and look of your truck; it's one of my desktops now.

It works pretty good, but the ride is rough on bigger bumps or when loaded. The leaf springs are very soft and that combined with the shocks being layed over and less effective results in the rear end blowing through the suspension travel very quick.

Easy solution may be some overload springs.

[Elder Rogue]

Thanks for the response.

Maybe on my build I should plan on the shocks as upright as possible and if that still is lacking then overload springs.

Ether way, I am still thinking that mounting the S10 springs the same as you did is the way I want to go.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Elder Rogue

Thanks for the response.

Maybe on my build I should plan on the shocks as upright as possible and if that still is lacking then overload springs.

Ether way, I am still thinking that mounting the S10 springs the same as you did is the way I want to go.

I think some higher quality short stroke shocks would be the ticket.

Good luck!!

[99 to Life]

nice garage and ink, I'll be getting my truck on my arm sometime. got 1951 on my knuckles. bench looks dope too, gotta love re-purpose art.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

nice garage and ink, I'll be getting my truck on my arm sometime. got 1951 on my knuckles. bench looks dope too, gotta love re-purpose art.

Thanks Man!!

[Coach529]

Still changing my mind day to day on an eventual chassis change on Henry. Of course the options are unlimited.........

At the min I would like to rework the rear end.

Still daydreaming about IFS up front on bags and a 4 link in the rear on bags. I am not willing to do much more than raise my bed a couple inches which will get me damn close to layed out when I aired down.

Pondering picking up another stock 3600 chassis and building it over the summer while I drive Henry as is. Next winter swap everything over.........

[NEWFISHER]

Coach,

I re-read the thread and just have to say I love the build, dedication, family, photos, tattoo to honor your father and your dedication to getting Henry on the road. Your wavering decision to bag or not to bag, V8 or not V8 has been my dilemma also on my rigs.

I can tell you from MY EXPERIENCE that a 216 sucks. Stock worn out leaves and shocks suck and if your steering geometry and front axle angle are off it sucks too. With that said, I have found that NEW leaves from Jim Carter, new dropped axle/steering etc ( which you have) and a set of new dropped shocks placed in nearly vertical positions mad my Burb ride like a Cadillac.

A 250 with a shaved head, 194 intakes, dual springs, bug cam, lump ported, flat top relieved pistons, Clifford heated with Holley 390 and cast Langdons headers along with an HEI and 11mm wires and a hotter coil with make your 250 keep up with the V8's.

Unless you plan on laying frame and going through the steps to do so, driving a static drop is a lot easier, nicer ride in MOST CONDITIONS (air seems better on the freeway) and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper. I just finished bagging the 65 and have driven it for a month. I chose the cheap route $1500, but used good quality bags, fitting, gauges, relocators etc. To do a Accuride system was another $1500 plus. Next time I will either decide to lay frame and stuff tires through the bed and fenders or go static.

I get bored not working on stuff, wrenching and planning etc. I am at that point now with the 65 and don't want " another insurance payment, street parking etc" as you mentioned. For me, it will be another project and then flip it. Keeping the Burb , like keeping Henry, and tinkering on other stuff that doesn't mean as much but dialing in the one that does. Hope that makes sense??

[Coach529]

FWIW, the 350/ 350 combo is going to happen. I plan on keeping this truck until one of the kids pry the keys out of my hands. Guessing this will not be the last engine in it.

Rough guess going IFS and a 4 link on bags will cost $5k....without a doubt.

I know my leaves and bushings are shot........and the shock set up is not ideal in the rear. So for is less than $1000 I could have all the suspension good (Or better) than new.

Hmmm.......Fish you have much wisdom. :-)

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by Coach529

FWIW, the 350/ 350 combo is going to happen. I plan on keeping this truck until one of the kids pry the keys out of my hands. Guessing this will not be the last engine in it.

Rough guess going IFS and a 4 link on bags will cost $5k....without a doubt.

I know my leaves and bushings are shot........and the shock set up is not ideal in the rear. So for is less than $1000 I could have all the suspension good (Or better) than new.

Hmmm.......Fish you have much wisdom. :-)

You could book a round trip ticket out here, drive the Burb for a weekend and fly home, buy all the new stuff you need and still be money ahead

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

You could book a round trip ticket out here, drive the Burb for a weekend and fly home, buy all the new stuff you need and still be money ahead

You might be onto something there. :-)

Did you get OEM springs or lowered springs from Jim Carter?

My stock front springs are sacked out and pretty much flat.



The specs show the OEM springs should have 3-1/2" of arch (Dimension C)

[NEWFISHER]

^^^^ THAT IS YOUR PROBLEM!

Mine are OEM 8 pack with all new hardware and greasable shackles etc. at all 4 corners and when sitting static, have an arch in them like the picture

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

^^^^ THAT IS YOUR PROBLEM!

Mine are OEM 8 pack with all new hardware and greasable shackles etc. at all 4 corners and when sitting static, have an arch in them like the picture

That is what I am figuring. I will buy some new springs, but likely pull a couple leaves.

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by Coach529

That is what I am figuring. I will buy some new springs, but likely pull a couple leaves.

""but likely pull a couple leaves"" carefull here. It will force a rapid decline of the integrity of the pack from what I have read. I would install the packs and give it a few months to settle. Just like articulating a 4x crawler, try to "work" the packs to help settle them and get them relaxed, then decide to pull.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

""but likely pull a couple leaves"" carefull here. It will force a rapid decline of the integrity of the pack from what I have read. I would install the packs and give it a few months to settle. Just like articulating a 4x crawler, try to "work" the packs to help settle them and get them relaxed, then decide to pull.

That is a good point......

[NEWFISHER]

I wondered why yours looked lower than mine and we used all of the same components ( except the springs )