Tyler (and Joel) -
Unless you have a lot of spare dollars to spend, I'd have to say your
Dad has the best plan here. But a stock-geared '53 GMC will not be pleasant
on your commute, unless you are in no hurry and don't mind taking back roads
at 40 mph. So you may want to swap out the rear for something a bit nicer on
the road like a 3.38 or 3.07 gear.
Doing body and paint work, and making a driver out of your truck, will
be a great learning experience, and you will become familiar with what you
really want in an old truck. There's plenty of time to add the hot rod stuff
as it becomes more affordable -
get the basics of wrenching down before you tackle the more difficult parts.
You will do a much better job that way and appreciate what you have in the
end.
Jack / Winter Park FL
----- Original Message -----
From: Joel Brain <brain@jacksonesd.k12.or.us>
To: <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, April 24, 1999 10:55 PM
Subject: [oletrucks] A zillion questions!
> Hi, I'm fifteen years old, I own a 53' gmc 1/2 ton. It's a five window.
> I have a bunch of questions about restoring it, so please answer as many
as
> you can. I'm kinda of thinking of two different ways of doing the resto'
> (ya'lls lingo is wearin' off:) . The first way is my idea- strip the
sheep
> metal and build it from the ground up with a mustang II front end- 700r4
> tranny, chev small block, f*rd 9 inch rear end (chevy 12 bolt?) -- get the
> picture right? The second way is my dads idea- do all the body work (I'm
> gonna do it myself!!) get it running really smooth ( it's got a 228 in
it)
> and then paint it. Pretty much just make a reliable daily driver. After
> that I can decide wether I really want to strip it down and put all those
> goody's underneath. Is it better just to strip it now and do it right
> the first time or is this one of those 'father know's best' kind of
things?
> Besides that, how does my drivetrain combination sound as a whole? any
> suggestions? I live forty miles out of the nearest big town so I'll be
> commuting quite regulary. Thus the overdrive tranny. Also has anybody
> had any background with Jim Pace Perfomance Parts? They offer a 300
> H.P.350 engine for 2000$. Is this a good deal? Are they very durable
> engine's? It sound's better than building my own engine, and that's
> about how many horsey's I want. Of course cost is an issue ( it always
> is, right?) . I'm a newbie ( like ya can't tell) and I need any/all the
> help I can get. Thank in advance, Tyler (Joel's son.)
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
|