Parts are all over but be prepared to work that dolly and hammer ….. cab corners are bulging and not same contour. Have to hang doors to ensure lower fits prior to adhesion. But your right at least there’s something. I like being forced to fix what is there, people did it years before I and the satisfaction is present when complete.
Dave's 1949 Chevy Truck Build
Hi guys, I am going to stop the wagon thread I had sine I am going to start a new gasser build. This Friday I am going to be picking up a 1949 chevy 3100 frame. It still has the motor in it but I will sell that for cheap to recoup some money. I am also going to try and be more detailed in my build thread. so, here is the frame I am picking up-
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![Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire Plant]()
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I miss building something, as having completed cars makes me want to change something. But I know there's not another build in my future as I'm out of space, and wont sell anything I own now.
Come on down to St. Louis! I got a spare bed!I miss building something, as having completed cars makes me want to change something. But I know there's not another build in my future as I'm out of space, and wont sell anything I own now.
Ok guys. I have been doing a lot of reading (I know, a shock right?) about stroking a motor, destroking a motor, and thinking basically copying the motor from my 51 which was pretty healthy. This time around I am on a stricter budget but want the same performance when I mash the go pedal. I was thinking of getting a 400 small block and using a 350 crank for what I am led to believe is a 377. Thoughts?
I’d be worried about finding a good core 400 without cracks at the steam holes, and at strict budget cost. I’ve never used the spacer style bearings for the 350 mains to fit the 400…. Always preferred to use things the way GM intended. If it were a budget build I’d be looking at a stock roller sbc and go with a 383 due to a “cheaper and proven to work” build. Hate to test fates……budgets seem to get people in a pickle doing things again after their initial way fails. If you find a 400 run it! and keep the cubes…..
Good advice. That has always been an issue for me. I get to reading and then all of a sudden I have so much stuff swirling in my head I lose sight of what I should be doing. Keep it simple stupid should be my motto now.I’d be worried about finding a good core 400 without cracks at the steam holes, and at strict budget cost. I’ve never used the spacer style bearings for the 350 mains to fit the 400…. Always preferred to use things the way GM intended. If it were a budget build I’d be looking at a stock roller sbc and go with a 383 due to a “cheaper and proven to work” build. Hate to test fates……budgets seem to get people in a pickle doing things again after their initial way fails. If you find a 400 run it! and keep the cubes…..
If you're on a stricter budget Dave, a stroker is not the way to go. It's more than just putting the 350 rotating assembly into a 400 block. I'd stick with the 350 SBC again, or if you can find an old 454 out of a truck or motor home cheap that's another alternative. Either will be the least expensive, and likely the 350 the very least.
Ok, got my eyes set on a 350. no more screwing around. I got the truck last week and it will be a bone to be chewed sure enough. Found out it is a 1 ton truck so the frame is super thick, has a factory 4 speed and the huge rear end. cab needs one corner, fenders might be save-able and the door bottoms are junk. But it has all the glass, windows roll up and down Hood is good, floor is totally fixable as there is a huge aftermarket business in these old trucks. Cheaper than car parts too! Also, need an opinion. While I was chatting with the guy I bought the truck from, he asked if I wanted to see his project. He has a 4 door 38? dodge that he is putting in an LS. He than asks what I was planning on using for a transmission. I said TH400 and he says that one of the guys he renting his pole barn to, left a fully rebuilt 700R4. I asked him how much? he says 50. Is this transmission something I want to run? I know it has overdrive, but I do not know squat about them otherwise.
I have one in my '55 and have not had any issues with it. The overdrive works great on the highway and with the price of gas now, it helps on trips!
Dave, it's a huge bargain for a 700R4, as even a core is $175. Hope it's got the converter too as that can be a major expense if it doesn't. I'm running a 700R4 behind the 350 in my '39 and I love it. With 3.73 rear gears at 70 mph my engine is loping along at 2000 rpm's with 29" tall slicks. My Austin with the same combo is 3000 rpm's at 65 mph.He than asks what I was planning on using for a transmission. I said TH400 and he says that one of the guys he renting his pole barn to, left a fully rebuilt 700R4. I asked him how much? he says 50. Is this transmission something I want to run? I know it has overdrive, but I do not know squat about them otherwise.
The one issue some people have with the 700R4 is the low first gear. It's 3.07:1 first, which means it pulls hard out of the hole, but shifts quickly to 2nd. In easy driving my '39 shifts to 2nd by the time I cross an intersection. In harder hits it shifts a little later. But I like the low first gear myself.
With your new truck being a 1 ton, is it also a long box instead of the short box the 1/2 and most 3/4 tons used? If it is it might be worth considering shortening the frame, and box to get the nicer look of a short box.
Do you need a stall convertor for the 700R4? if not there is a guy local selling a 700R4 convertor for 50 bucks because he said he went to a stall. I admit I know nothing about these transmissions. Does it use a standard 3 speed shifter? I know there is some wiring involved but I can handle that. I think the truck is a short box but I have to find the specs and do some measuring.Dave, it's a huge bargain for a 700R4, as even a core is $175. Hope it's got the converter too as that can be a major expense if it doesn't. I'm running a 700R4 behind the 350 in my '39 and I love it. With 3.73 rear gears at 70 mph my engine is loping along at 2000 rpm's with 29" tall slicks. My Austin with the same combo is 3000 rpm's at 65 mph.
The one issue some people have with the 700R4 is the low first gear. It's 3.07:1 first, which means it pulls hard out of the hole, but shifts quickly to 2nd. In easy driving my '39 shifts to 2nd by the time I cross an intersection. In harder hits it shifts a little later. But I like the low first gear myself.
With your new truck being a 1 ton, is it also a long box instead of the short box the 1/2 and most 3/4 tons used? If it is it might be worth considering shortening the frame, and box to get the nicer look of a short box.
Like the TH350 and TH400, the 700R4 does need a stall converter if your cam and engine has a high idle speed, so no difference there. The lockup switch, and hydraulic lockup is simply a 12v. feed through the hydraulic switch, but need to verify which wire and ground terminals to use as I was told by many trans guys that when a 700R4 is rebuilt, or lockup solenoid replaced, it occasionally gets the wires swapped at the connector.Do you need a stall convertor for the 700R4? if not there is a guy local selling a 700R4 convertor for 50 bucks because he said he went to a stall. I admit I know nothing about these transmissions. Does it use a standard 3 speed shifter? I know there is some wiring involved but I can handle that. I think the truck is a short box but I have to find the specs and do some measuring.
Since this is a 4 speed trans, it needs a 4 speed shifter. If you get to that point and buy the 700R4 drop me a message. I've got a brand new TCI Fast Gate shifter here I bought to use in my '39, but never used it. I opted to build my own shifter to make it appear to be a Hurst 4 speed trans. It was $275 new, and if you want it it's yours for $140, plus shipping. Still new in box.
I am of 2 minds about this transmission. Part of me wants to trade for a TH400 and torque convertor, but I like the idea of an overdrive if I decide to take a trip in it. Either way, it says that the shifter will work on either so I will probably take it. If you can hold it until I am ready, that would be sweet!Like the TH350 and TH400, the 700R4 does need a stall converter if your cam and engine has a high idle speed, so no difference there. The lockup switch, and hydraulic lockup is simply a 12v. feed through the hydraulic switch, but need to verify which wire and ground terminals to use as I was told by many trans guys that when a 700R4 is rebuilt, or lockup solenoid replaced, it occasionally gets the wires swapped at the connector.
Since this is a 4 speed trans, it needs a 4 speed shifter. If you get to that point and buy the 700R4 drop me a message. I've got a brand new TCI Fast Gate shifter here I bought to use in my '39, but never used it. I opted to build my own shifter to make it appear to be a Hurst 4 speed trans. It was $275 new, and if you want it it's yours for $140, plus shipping. Still new in box.
I did that on my coupe. Eagle reciprocating assembly. Vall is right that it is a little pricey. I had an insurance check from my accident that I divided up for body and drivetrain. So I was trying to live large and then it ended. LolOk guys. I have been doing a lot of reading (I know, a shock right?) about stroking a motor, destroking a motor, and thinking basically copying the motor from my 51 which was pretty healthy. This time around I am on a stricter budget but want the same performance when I mash the go pedal. I was thinking of getting a 400 small block and using a 350 crank for what I am led to believe is a 377. Thoughts?
Unless you're putting massive HP out the crank, the TH400 is overkill. Even when I was getting the TH350 behind my 427 in my '71 Camaro rebuilt the trans guy told me to not waste my time with a TH400 swap. When I asked why, he told me when he was done building the TH350 it would be as strong, and would take less HP to turn the TH350. That was 1982, and when I sold the Camaro to build the Falcon that TH350 was still in it, and working great.
The 700R4 is just a TH350 with overdrive and a lockup converter. A stock 700R4 is rated for around 350HP, but if it's rebuilt most guys build them to higher ratings. They can handle close to 1000HP with the right components. No way to know what this one you're looking at was built to, but I'd bet it's well above the stock 350HP rating. Guessing my engine is around 425HP, and no problems. I bought my trans used for $175 from a guy who was swapping in a T56 in his '55 Chevy, and it wasn't a low HP engine either.
The 700R4 is just a TH350 with overdrive and a lockup converter. A stock 700R4 is rated for around 350HP, but if it's rebuilt most guys build them to higher ratings. They can handle close to 1000HP with the right components. No way to know what this one you're looking at was built to, but I'd bet it's well above the stock 350HP rating. Guessing my engine is around 425HP, and no problems. I bought my trans used for $175 from a guy who was swapping in a T56 in his '55 Chevy, and it wasn't a low HP engine either.
Man, patience and scouring sure pays off on Facebook Marketplace. I just scored a brand new Pertronix distributor, flame thrower coil and a set of plug wires for 70 bucks! Then next weekend I am heading down south about an hour to pick up a set of 2.02 camel hump heads for 150! He also has a large journal 327 that I am going to look at.
Since it's already got an axle hung that saves you some time. I'm looking forward to watching this build come together.
Well, it finally happened, I got something I cannot beat. I had some back pain that was a little worse than it always is and went to see a spine and neck doctor thinking it was because my fall out of the attic back in February. He takes some x-rays, comes in and says you have DISH. Well, a long story short is that on my ankles, back and neck I have extra bone material growing on my spine, neck and ankles! No cure. it covers most of my spine effectively fusing it together. It also can affect swallowing which I am already having issues with. I can hardly bend over, it takes awhile to get up off the floor and is the sole reason I cannot ride motorcycles anymore. It's nice to put a name to what is happening but damn. I sold the truck and am concentrating on finishing the little wagon for the grandson. No need for pity, but thought I would share why there are no more updates.
Sorry to hear Dave. I’ve been having some issues physically to and that’s the primary reason why I sold my MG I just can’t do it anymore. I’m currently seeing a chiropractor who’s giving me more mobility so I’m hoping for the best.
Well that’s some news….. I feel your mindset is where it needs to be with the wagon and putting efforts in family. All we can do is take a breath, long , short, or shallow . Just keep going till there’s no more. Life happens around us good, bad , easy or hard it’s life. Different for all but the same air to take in.
I’m praying for you
I’m praying for you
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