Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines farm truck

New member needing advise. I have a '47 Chev. 2ton grain truck w/dump. It has a '54 235 full pressure engine. Unfortunately, although this is the first year of the Advanced Design series,the '47 transmission is a 4speed non-synchro. The 235 is a nice engine and in great shape, but doesn't really have enough power to drive up hills, even without a load. The crashbox trans makes things worse, since you can't downshift when need be. I could replace the trans. with a '48 or later as they were Muncie syncho type, but that doesn't fix the power problem. A V8 would ruin the character of the truck, but I don't need it to be original. Would a late model inline and trans, be difficult to install? I've never done a swap. Any ideas??
Thanks,
Rees.

Dear Mr. Rees;

You might check with Tom's Truck Parts (918) 542-3871 & see if a lower geared rear end is available. There may be a (2-speed) rear (3rd member) avaliable.

Even the 'later' truck transmissions still don't have "granny" with a syncromesh. You may have to use "granny" & shift up when the hill climb is completed. That may work with what you have now.

A Cadilac 6 would work too.

Good luck, John M.....

The easiest thing would be to see if you can find a good running 261. It is a larger version of the 235 and was a truck engine. They were used up to 1963 I believe. Find an old school bus and swap engine and trans! I am not that familiar with early engines, but it should be fairly simple swap.

Another alternative might be a GMC 302. That too should be fairly simple, but 302s are getting tougher to find.

A 292 would be good choice also and are fairly plentiful, but would require some fabrication of mounts etc.

Good Luck!!

Thanks,guys. The 2ton already has a 2speed rear end, but I need more oomph. The 292 sounds good. What years were they produced? Are there particularly good ones? I've read that the New Venture 4500 5 speed with a low 1st can be adaped to the 292. Any expirience with this setup?
Rees

The 292 has about a 6" high side cover vs. a shorter one on 194-250. the 292 and 302 are slightly longer than your 235 or 261, but are easy to adapt. Read the article a while back about making a 261 a 292 w/ Cad. pistons, etc., by Tom Langdon. The NP 4500 is a great transmission with a reasonable low 1st-5.6 to 1, and have a .73 or so OD 5th. Be careful, they require special lubricant and if someone used normal lube, you have an expensive repair job. The 2WD ones are cheaper, however, none are cheap but are a very good, strong trans w/ OD.

Ed Pruss
Longmont, CO

The NV4500 will also allow the use of a PTO for your dump.

I have a 1-1/2 ton with the original 216 and SM420 + PTO and 2-spd rear. This truck is an antique truck and I don't intend to haul big loads on the road, however I do load it to capacity (5 yard dump box full of dirt) and it handles the load fine even on the steepest hills (going forward or backward) - just have to use the granny from time to time and put the rearend in low range.

The 235 in your rig should be even better . . . again, unless you are trying to do 45-55 mph up a steep road hill - but then I would be more concerned about brakes and being able to stop than being able to get up to speed.

For big over the road loads, I have a 366 Gasser/Allison combo in a newer 2-1/2ton. Even it has trouble on steep roads with a full load (24,000 lbs / empty truck weighs 11,000 lbs) - I guess that is what they make Kenworths for.

292s first came out in 1963 and were available, I believe, up to the late 80s in trucks and Goodwrench motors were available late into the 90s. They have the same bolt pattern at the back as any of the v8s from the same period so virtually any late GM trans will work.

Dear Mr. Rees;

Ken is right on.

Also; The 'Cadilac 6' can be made to over 300cid & will bolt right in with few modifications. You and your friends could install in a weekend with hand tools.

Remember these trucks with 216" (85 hp) hauled cargo all over the USA from WWII on. The "Cadilac" will have close to 200hp.

Good luck, John M......

Great advice. Many thanks to all.
Rees.

My friend has a 49 that he begrudgingly decided to update last year.This makes numerous crosscountry trips too.The 216 babbit still ran OK but was getting weak,bolt holes stripped out on rear main cap so in goes a (new) 235 babbit.He found an overdrive 5 sp and the differential looked fine,I adjusted backlash on the ring and installed new pinion seal,ready for another 50 years.Cut the shaft for the 5 and used the truck for a setup lathe,piece of wire visegripped to the frame for a dial indicator,turn the shaft until a light steady drag is achieved and tack four spots,then weld it up.Cruises 60 at about2400rpms all day long.Switched from 18 to 20 in rubber which dropped final drive ratio too.He hauls units of specialty lumber and book binding suplies cross country with it.Gets around 20 mpg.Acool old truck.

Marc, What kind of 5-speed did you fine, an NP 540?

When you changed from 18" to 20" rubber, did you have to modify the wheels any? I presume they were still stock GM wheels?

Ed

I think it was a new process,we were advised that it was kinda light duty but its been a year and no problems yet,the wheels he found at a swap meet and i think they were international,solid ring,split wheel type.