Joel,
The level of work involved in the IFS, engine change, ect. is very high.
There are list members that have spent years doing this to their trucks.
I would suggest that you get it running good and drive it while you are
working on the body. By the time you get it ready for paint you will
know what mechanical parts you can't live with.
Some people just don't want a manual transmission, or don't like the
ride of a straight axle, or the power of the 228, but don't assume you
won't like something until you've tryed it, you might save yourself a
lot of work and money.
If it were my truck I would probably end up with a new rear axel, and a
5 speed from an S-10 on the original engine. But I don't mind living
without power steering, and I don't get into speed contests anymore.
Good luck,
John
"49-50-54-57-79-95" Chevy 3800 Panel
Joel Brain wrote:
>
> 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
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