Will a small block be enough?

[Nightrider]

I found a 86 4 door, ton. with a custom flatbed. It has a 5 speed manual trans. Had a big block in it, now gone. Do you think I could live with a small blocks power in a truck this big and heavy pulling a 2 horse trailer? Never should have sold my spare cummins!

[BIGCHEVYMAN]

I had a 88 crew cab 4x4 dually that I bought without a motor and the only motor I had was a pretty stought 350. It pulled the truck good as long as i was not pulling over 5000 pounds.
The truck had 3:73 gears, if it had a lower gear it would have been better.

[Pyrotechnic]

A 350 will get you by if it's geared right, but you may be limited on top speed.

A 383 will be even better. It doesn't cost much to build a torque monster 383 since the rotating assembly doesn't have to withstand boost,nitrous or high RPM.

If that 5 speed manual has a granny gear, then you should be fine.

[Nightrider]

I have a couple of small blocks ,1 built already( someone gave me) and the other needs complete rebuilding.of course, I'll go with headers, tq cam, intake.Will the BB brackets fit the small block(power steering,ac,etc.)?

[Jerry Jones]

It'll do it, but its going to be a work out.

[Ivan D.]

Well there are small blocks like mine that tows my 4200 lbs car with the rear tires dragging, and small blocks like my buddy Chris who can't get his own ass out of a dicth but who can simply annihilate good 75% of the modded 'marros and 'stangs around. Really you want gobs of torque down low, which can be achieved through a small block but involves lots of careful selection of parts - are you building a new small block, or just throwing in a stock 350 that you got laying around?