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middle · 02-23-2012, 04:53 PM

Hi all...I have a '57 1/2 ton and the straught six leaves a lot to be desired...I can actually watch the gas gauge lower when I'm driving it. Anyway, I am considering putting in either a small block V8 or a 4.3 V6.....my question is will the V6 have enough torque and power to push that old truck around. It weighs 4,000lbs. Obviously the tranny and rear end would have to be changed too, but I am right now just looking for info from anyone who knows of anyone who's done this swap with a v6.....
Right now, the truck has an old chevy 4spd(granny gear) and I belive the rear end is stock....Gettin it up to 70 on the freeway can be done but that old 235 is screaming when I do so.
Any tips, pointers etc would be deeply appreciated.
Middle

carls 56 · 02-23-2012, 05:02 PM

i'd look into a crate eng..

.................hint: might want to make a new thread in the welcome area and say hello.

chevman57 · 02-23-2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

my question is will the V6 have enough torque and power to push that old truck around. It weighs 4,000lbs.

Know a local guy that has a 4.3 V-6 in his 4dr 57 and it does fine so i`d say the pickup should do fine also.
Terry

mickeywestsr · 02-23-2012, 05:38 PM

GM crate engines can't be beat......

dei355 · 02-23-2012, 05:43 PM

The 4.3 V-6 should work fine I have seen them 1998 chevy1500 trucks with a lot of power.

100%Chevy · 02-23-2012, 05:55 PM

I'd change the rear end first.
A friend has a 57 1/2 ton with a 283/powerglide.
We put a 3:08 from a 64 Chevy truck in it and he lost 1000 rpm at 65 mph.
His old rear was about a 3:90.
Mike.

angs1957 · 02-23-2012, 10:08 PM

That engine will pull that truck just fine

middle · 02-24-2012, 06:58 PM

I missed the welcome area...but have now posted there....here's a couple shots of the truck.

middle · 02-24-2012, 07:03 PM

Yeh, the rear end will definitely help it on the freeway. 3:08's, huh? even with the 235 still in it it would help.
One thing I have to do as soon as it stays warm for a few days is put in the new gastank I got. Everytime I drive it I have to clean the fuel filter cuz ther's nearly 60 years of crap coming lose from the tank. I have the tank and 3 sets of seatbelts to install along with various other items for the cab thatbwill make life a little better.
Ultimately I intend on disc brakes in the front, maybe power steering...when I got it, I had to replace the steering box and kingpins because the steering was so bad. Howver, it's a pretty good truck, a daily driver..the frame's straight, suspension is good and I probably paid too much for it but at the time I had the money and wanted it so what the heck!
Anyhow, thanks for the info...middle

02-23-2012, 04:53 PM	#1
middle Member Join Date: Feb 2012 middle's Garage Location: weimar, ca Posts: 26 Member #22421	1957 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup Hi all...I have a '57 1/2 ton and the straught six leaves a lot to be desired...I can actually watch the gas gauge lower when I'm driving it. Anyway, I am considering putting in either a small block V8 or a 4.3 V6.....my question is will the V6 have enough torque and power to push that old truck around. It weighs 4,000lbs. Obviously the tranny and rear end would have to be changed too, but I am right now just looking for info from anyone who knows of anyone who's done this swap with a v6..... Right now, the truck has an old chevy 4spd(granny gear) and I belive the rear end is stock....Gettin it up to 70 on the freeway can be done but that old 235 is screaming when I do so. Any tips, pointers etc would be deeply appreciated. Middle

02-23-2012, 05:02 PM	#2
carls 56 Trifive Leaders Club 2 Ball Pool Champion! Alien Invasion 2 Champion! Altex Champion! Anti Aircraft Gun Champion! Baccarat Champion! Block Buster Champion! Cliff Diver Champion! Get-A-Head Champion! Ninja Turtles 2 Champion! Pong Champion! Super Kickups Champion! Ultimate Ping Champion! Weetabix Games:Running Champion! Clash`N Slash Champion! Graveler Gunblast Champion! Cone Crazy Champion! Bug Hunt Champion! PelPet Champion! Hamster Race Champion! pursuit Champion! Weetabix Games:Cycling Champion! Red Kens Pigeon Cull Champion! Lotads Lament Champion! Desert Dash Champion! Bubble Blubbs Champion! Ed, Edd, Eddy Champion! Snowboarding Santa Champion! piljard Champion! Mini Putt 2 Champion! Weetabix Games:Swimming Champion! J&B Snowman Punch Champion! Roving Reporter Champion! Cone Crazy Champion! Extreme Racing Champion! Pepsi Bucket Launcher Champion! Springfield Snow Fight Champion! Lumpy Artist Champion! Dribble Worldcup Champion! Flyswatter Champion! Subzero Champion! Starfrosch Champion! Tobby Stick Balance Champion! Flash Golf Champion! Fruity Shuffler Champion! Spy Hunter Champion! Juice Squeezer Champion! Spell Catcher Champion! Klingemon Champion! Harry Potter: The Marauder`s Map Champion! Chansey Champion! JigSaw Puzzle Dog Champion! Renault Mr.X Champion! Grab-A-Snack Hurdles Champion! Slider Puzzle Champion! Plops Champion! Conundrum 3D Champion! Join Date: Feb 2008 carls 56's Garage Location: brandy station, va Posts: 33,543 Member #4923	i'd look into a crate eng.. .................hint: might want to make a new thread in the welcome area and say hello. __________________ "DRIVE AND ENJOY THEM WHILE YOU WORK ON THEM, LIFES TO SHORT" my toys: 56 4dr 210 & 57 4dr belair ARMY NAM VET (so proud)

02-23-2012, 05:38 PM	#4
mickeywestsr Trifive Leaders Club Join Date: Feb 2007 mickeywestsr's Garage Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee Posts: 32,595 Member #1970	GM crate engines can't be beat...... __________________ GO VOLS COWBOY

02-23-2012, 05:55 PM	#6
100%Chevy Senior Member 2 Gold Stars Join Date: Feb 2007 100%Chevy's Garage Location: Helena,Mississippi.(southeast Ms.15 north of the beach). Posts: 2,647 Member #2153	I'd change the rear end first. A friend has a 57 1/2 ton with a 283/powerglide. We put a 3:08 from a 64 Chevy truck in it and he lost 1000 rpm at 65 mph. His old rear was about a 3:90. Mike. __________________ http://www.picturetrail.com/100chevy

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02-23-2012, 05:43 PM	#5
dei355 Senior Member 3 Gold Stars Join Date: Dec 2007 dei355's Garage Location: Hartsville S.C. Posts: 3,750 Member #4457	The 4.3 V-6 should work fine I have seen them 1998 chevy1500 trucks with a lot of power.

02-23-2012, 10:08 PM	#7
angs1957 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 angs1957's Garage Location: Australia Posts: 29,271 Member #2237	That engine will pull that truck just fine

02-24-2012, 07:03 PM	#9
middle Member Join Date: Feb 2012 middle's Garage Location: weimar, ca Posts: 26 Member #22421	Yeh, the rear end will definitely help it on the freeway. 3:08's, huh? even with the 235 still in it it would help. One thing I have to do as soon as it stays warm for a few days is put in the new gastank I got. Everytime I drive it I have to clean the fuel filter cuz ther's nearly 60 years of crap coming lose from the tank. I have the tank and 3 sets of seatbelts to install along with various other items for the cab thatbwill make life a little better. Ultimately I intend on disc brakes in the front, maybe power steering...when I got it, I had to replace the steering box and kingpins because the steering was so bad. Howver, it's a pretty good truck, a daily driver..the frame's straight, suspension is good and I probably paid too much for it but at the time I had the money and wanted it so what the heck! Anyhow, thanks for the info...middle

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