Nice truck. The 348 is a big block that was available in '58, tho
mostly for big trucks. I don't know if yours is original or not. Are
the motor mounts bolted onto the frame or riveted? That's how I found
out my 283 wasn't original; the original mounts would have been riveted.
You're right, the hole for the foot starter is evidence that your truck
started life with a 235 6 cylinder, as did mine. I don't know anything
about the desirability of the 348, but NAPA or somebody else probably
can get rebuild kits. Do you really need one?
I don't know what trucks had dual rear wheels, but a "3200" would be a
half ton long bed. A 1 ton would have "3800" emblems. OK, I'm pretty
sure half tons don't have duallies.... How many lug bolts do you have,
front and/or rear?
The first gear is for starting out with heavy loads. I even use mine in
my half ton sometimes, but if the truck is empty you can usually start
out in second gear. I think that's a good tranny.
Sounds like you are going to have fun with it, anyway! Good luck,
Ed Miller
'58 Apache Short Fleetside
Steve wrote:
>Hi guys,
>
> I just took my 58 Apache 1 ton out for a drive last night. I
>haven't had it long. I don't know much history on the truck, but I am
>curious as to some of the things I found about it. Maybe some of you more
>knowledgeable guys can let me know the story on some of the things about the
>truck.
>
>It has a 348 engine that I am not sure if it's original or not. Someone said
>it probably wasn't because of how close the steering shaft came to the
>exhaust manifold. It does have dual rear wheels, and the side emblem says
>3200.
>
>It has a hole in the floor where the foot starter may have been? Did the
>58's still use those? It now has a starter switch on the dash.
>
>The tranny is a 4 speed with a granny first. I can't get above about 5mph
>before I need to shift. Top speed seems to be about 50 mph.
>
>
>
>Anyone have any tips or observations?
>
> Steve
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