I am building a '47 half ton pickup to be used mainly for towing my race car trailers to the strip. It has a 3" chopped top, a customized grill area, and a Pro's Pick smoothie box and tailgate. It currently has a 460 V8 / C6 trans / 9" 3.25 posi rear end.
The body and frame were sandblasted and all body panels were painted with two part catylized primer. The frame was sandblasted and painted with acryllic enamel with 1:4 urethane hardener catylist using a brush. I hope this will prove to be a durable chip resistant choice.
For the final engine choice I am in a quandry. Should I use a 523 BBF stroker motor or a 300 six? You can build a real inexpensive 523 using 240 six connecting rods. But then there is no room for a power steering box (cross steered). Or I could build a 300 with power steering and pay the price in towing performance. I am leaning toward the 523 route because someone pointed out that with a car hauler hitched on, which is how the truck will be driven the most, the load on the front end will actually be lessened by the tongue weight.
What would you do?
