Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Best engine for 1950 Chevy P/U?

I'm planning a build-up on a 1950 Chevy 3600 pickup. It will be a 3/4 ton with dual rear wheels. I'd like to pull a 10,000# trailer...Kind of a working street rod. I'm thinking of a computer controlled fuel injected, maybe turbo-charged inline 6. I'll probably need 250-300 hp and 300 lb/ft torque. Looking for suggestions on what engine would be best to base it on?

You may want to think about finding you a 292 and build from there. and bore it either .030 .060 over for even more cubes(298/302)and install a cam designed for a turbo. Most stock cams or Rv type work very well with a turbo. And i think you will be happy with the power & tork Your looking for. hope this helps }[oooooo]



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NovaMan/Twisted6/Larry

Ford 300.

If I was going to pull 10,000lbs with a truck, I'd use a small bock Chevy. I'm into inline motors as you all know, but for price, reliability, torque and power, it's hard to beat a small block Chevy.It's a no brainer.

RapRap
1940 ChoppedChevyCoupe

Plop a Cummins 5.9 turbo diesel in that thing ! Its a inline 6 .

http://www.turbodieselregister.com/



[This message has been edited by mothertrucker (edited 01-07-2004).]

I'd have to agree with raprap. Although, I would change it to a bigblock. Just my bit of blasphemy for tonight. A 383 stroker would probably fit the bill quite nicely. Tons of low-end torque, tons of aftermarket parts, parts are a dime-a-dozen. Unless you are really partial to a straight six, or have the extra cash to spend, you might want to consider a small block. Just my .02 I hope I wasn't too hard on the inlines. John.

Your were to hard on the inlines.
I would recommend a '55-'62 235 for the truck if being vintage was a request
Anyone can say " horseshoe a V 8 in it ".
The request was for an inline 6.
I gave the best inline 6 I though of in an upgrade situation.
Can anyone come up with a better inline 6 than the

:http://www.turbodieselregister.com/ http://www.turbodieselregister.com/


???


[This message has been edited by mothertrucker (edited 01-08-2004).]

[This message has been edited by mothertrucker (edited 01-08-2004).]

[This message has been edited by mothertrucker (edited 01-08-2004).]

WOW; What a range of responses.

If your planning to pull a 10,000 lb trailer around the east coast (with duals) a six just won't work as well as a V-8. To get the power you will need just isn't a cost-effective venture today.

A 292 (done right)will have more power than a 283/327 but will require all sorts of expensive modifications to fit/work etc. Cheaper to use a stock 350 & truck tranny with the later C30 rear end. This would give you the brakes you will need too.

Now if your looking for a "vintage type" truck with a little more 'juce'; a 261 is the best choice as "it will bolt in next Saturday."

Good luck, John M., #3370.


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After all that I'd still go with torque, Ford 300 or the 292 Chevy. Easiest fit in that 50 truck would be an inline, unless you into totally re-engeneering the entire front end. If that's the case just go buy a later model truck. Planning the gearing of trans and differentail will be every bit as important as the motor.

Another old one from 2004.

I put a 12 valve cummins in my 76 4-door chev i-ton dually and it was the worst mistake i have ever made. It is a dog. I used the truck to haul the race trailor (8000 lbs) and it won`t get out of its own way. The 454 that was in it was twice the motor. One other thing, I used the dodge radiator and intercooler and I don`t think you will have the room to do the same to yours. I hate the truck so much that I put a non-op on it and parked it.Just another 2 cents

Sounds more like a gearing or tuning problem than the engine, the torque curve of the Cummins is better suited to towing than a gas powered bent 8.

Beater.... I am so glad you posted your last reply...I thought John H. has come back from the DEAD..or I was "back to the future".

Scrap, I'm going to do a thread about my search method and you are an important part. I miss John. I'm glad his wisdom is still here.

Go for it...can't wait...!!!

Your biggest issue with the 3600 truck, in my opinion is the steering and brakes, not an engine. If you've been around the site awhile, you'll have seen plenty of non-original engines between wheel wells.

There are NO front disc kits for the 3600 or 3800 trucks. You'll have to come up with that on your own. Then there is the steering issue. I wouldn't even think about pulling a 10,000 lb trailer without power steering.

The AD trucks were made to haul, not to tow. I would suggest getting a 1960 or later truck if you want a vintage truck with towing capabilities.

Just my $.02

Wow, first time I've heard that (less power than a gasser).

Which year Cummins did you have?

Was it out of a Dodge or other on road application?

I'm not trying to criticize, I'm just curious what went wrong.

Edit....

By any chance did it smoke excessively?

nexxussian, don`t want to pirate someones thread so i`ll say this. I bought a 96 wreck and transplanted the 12 valve engine and trans (automatic) into my chev. Had the trans gone thru because they are known to be problematic. The engine mounts and trans controls were a piece of cake. The only major mods were to the core support for the rad and intercooler. Doesn`t smoke to much. I have 3.53s in it now and thinking about putting 4.10s back in it after its time out.

Hey sparks, don't worry about "Pirating". This thread is from 2004 and the OP hasn't posted here since that year.