I just bought a 1947 chevy dually and want to put a more powerful engine in with the least amount of trouble. Any suggestions.
Welcome TVFixer Welcome to the forum tvfixer. I too have a 3800 but mine is a pickup and has a semi original 235 6 banger in it. I am sure that there are folks here that can help but you probably need to give a little more info. Are you staying with the original front end? If you want to add the weight of a bigger engine you might consider a whole different front end. I found this article and, if I were going to upgrade mine like you want, I would probably go this route. Here is a quote from the article link, "I found through research that I could bolt on a '73 to '87 Chev or GMC IFS saddle with 1/2" spacers. I found a '80 Chev C20 3/4-ton in a local salvage yard with 8 lug wheels. The donor IFS came complete with disc brakes, anti-sway bar, power steering pump, steering box, pulleys and hoses." http://www.stovebolt.com/gallery/roworth_wayne_1947.htm I would like to see some pictures. Tell us your name, too. We are a friendly bunch here. Gater (Bill)
ol 6 banger ...and if you end up with a 6 cylinder boat anchor laying around, be sure to tell the guys on this forum. i'm sure someone will be willing to snatch it up in a hurry!! jon
I too have given some thought to replacing the 216 in my '52 3800 (she does run real good). Is there anything good that bolts to the stock tranny.
Re-Power Easily ! Yes ! if your truck is still more or less stock and the old leaky , wheezy 216 isn't your game (mine either BTW) a 235 or better yet , 261 Inline 6 Banger will bolt right in and all you'll needs do is get or make a short shaft water pump to clear the fan.... Cheap too as many good and evern freshly rebuilt 235's are being yanked out and scrapped every day.... Good used under $200.00 and not more than $500.0 for a rebuilt one someone dropped $1,500.00 into as they're hard to sell since they last forever with minimal care.... My '49 is bone stock apart from a '57 235 and Patric's gears , it cruises right along @ 65 + MPH.....
My 1/2 tonner Final Drive is different as it utilises the Torque Tube enclosed driveshaft , won't fit your Big 'Bolt . You'd have to double check the inner axle splines and the bolt pattern to the Banjo but the pumpkin from a G-series Chevy van should fit and the automatic equipped ones are generally a 3.72 ratio, just the ticket for good highway speed and still able to move in traffic . They're _everywhere_ too ~ don't listen to the nay - sayers about this as i find them in every single junkyard I go to ~ you just gotta go look in the nasty , crusty work trucks no one wants to touch and *presto* ! there it'll be and cheap too . Measure thrice , buy only once .
