62 inline 6 speed ideas

[crhyno]

I have a 62 short bed step-side c10 that I have been driving and doing some minimal work to for about a year now. It has an inline 6 with no power steering or brakes and a 3 speed column shifter. I have decided that I like the truck enough that I am going to spend serious cash on getting it redone - frame off complete body and suspension restoration (am even going to get a modern master cylinder so I do not run anyone over if a brake line goes).

Anytime I have attempted any of my projects I have scoured this site and found great advice so I will ask for your help once again.

My question(s) concerns driving it on the highway. Right now I can do about 50MPH but I need a good downhill stretch or tailwind to go above that. I live on Long Island NY and I will get run over if I get on a parkway or express way doing 50. Since the truck will be apart anyhow, I am wondering what would be the best idea for getting a little more speed before it all gets reassembled. The engine has 61,000 original miles and I want to keep it (maybe go with a small block V8 in the future but for now I want to stick with what I have).

So, my questions are: do I have some engine work done, or change the rear end gearing, or do the new engine now, or buy a rocket pack to install in the bed (or a combination of any or all of these ideas).

As always, any and all thoughts / opinions / advice / warnings will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for reading.

[boucher racing]

Nice truck.

It all depends what you want. Big power? Power/reliability/economy/non traditional? Traditional/ power?

Now I love the idea of a inline engine, but big power is $$$. It will be reliable but high 15 mpg max

I love the 283 or 327's in this truck. Very traditional, great engine, avg mpgs, easy to get parts, easy to work on, inexpensive. Check out the thread called "the pusher". Awesome engine.

The second option from above, is the best of all options, power, reliability, mpgs, but very non traditional. Do a LS 5.3 or 6.0 swap.

[Captainfab]

By the sounds of it, I would say that your differential has the 3.90 gears. To make your truck more of a highway cruiser, you could switch over to a T5, 5 speed and/or change the rear gears to 3.38's or change the entire differential for a 12 bolt with 3.42 or 3.07 gears. Your rear tire size plays a part in the rpm's as well.

[NEWFISHER]

Check out Tom from 12bolt.com he is in your neck of the woods.

[64chevtruck]

Originally Posted by newfisher

check out tom from 12bolt.com he is in your neck of the woods.

+1

[TJ's Chevy]

If your 6 cylinder is stock it no doubt is a 235. Your rear gears are probably 4.11. The 3.90.1 ratio was no available in the GM 12 bolt truck axle as far as I know. 4.11, 3.73, 3.42, and 3.07 are the ones I know of. Like said a T5 swap would be a good option cause it gives you a closer ratio split...and an OD. But another very good transmission would be a Richmond 6 speed...offering 5 direct gears and a single over drive. Note..many people think that the Richmond 6 speed is a dual OD, but it isn't...5th gear is 1:1 and 6th is .83 or .76 OD give or take. Both trannys cost around the same...but will help increase performance and you could keep the stock tire size. Another good thing would be to find out your RPM's at 50 mph by getting a cheap tach and that will help tell you your gear ratio...3000 RPM at 60 with 215/75/15's is a 4.11 ratio with a non-OD trans. If your ratio is 3.90 it will drop the RPM's to about 2900 and 3.73 about 2800...pending on tire size.

[66Submarine]

'62's had the Eaton rear ends; a smaller version of the HO-52/72 that came under 20 and 30 series trucks until '72. 3.90 was the standard ratio for them.

[cg285]

just put a ranger overdrive in my 64 last week. worked out good. that would be another avenue to think about. gear vendors also but twice the price
or also the borgwarner od for the 3spd

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by cg285

just put a ranger overdrive in my 64 last week. worked out good. that would be another avenue to think about. gear vendors also but twice the price
or also the borgwarner od for the 3spd

Ooh! I think we need to see pictures of that! I'd really like to put one of those in front of the SM420 in my one ton if I can find a used one; the idea of an OD + split gears (especially 3rd high) is pretty nice.

[crhyno]

Just want to thank everyone for the suggestions. Looks like I have a lot of reading to do (the pusher thread, 12bolt.com and anything I can find on borg warner 3 speed OD). Will let you know the route I decide on.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by crhyno

Just want to thank everyone for the suggestions. Looks like I have a lot of reading to do (the pusher thread, 12bolt.com and anything I can find on borg warner 3 speed OD). Will let you know the route I decide on.

My compliments on a VERY nice truck! Wow!

I'll add my thoughts. First, you must understand that I am an enthusiast of the T5 transmission. They are a very affordable upgrade and the overdrive seems to be just right for trucks that have a 6 cylinder inline. Also, getting to keep my original rear and clutch assembly will save me time and money.

If you install a T5, then you would have a floor shift 5 speed and could comfortably achieve speeds of 65-70 as long as you choose the proper OD gear.

A T5 is not going to hold up to abuse. Just ask boucher racing what he thinks. If you keep the inline engine, then a T5 would give you a lot of extra drivability with minimal work and minimal deviation from your factory setup (use your current rear differential and engine).

My website has a lot of info about the T5 if you want to read more. Or send me a PM. I'd be glad to help.

Jay

[boucher racing]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

A T5 is not going to hold up to abuse. Just ask boucher racing what he thinks. If you keep the inline engine, then a T5 would give you a lot of extra drivability with minimal work and minimal deviation from your factory setup (use your current rear differential and engine).

Jay

Yup, that damn blower keeps breaking stuff! It is the weakest link prowler.

[BigDan3131]

If it were me I would do the 6 speed but instead of the tiny 235 get a 292 for a fatter amount of torque. Then down the road do a late model LS swap since you would already have the 6 speed.

[cg285]

Originally Posted by 66Submarine

Ooh! I think we need to see pictures of that! I'd really like to put one of those in front of the SM420 in my one ton if I can find a used one; the idea of an OD + split gears (especially 3rd high) is pretty nice.

i seldom take pictures of anything i do but i took a few of this. i could put them up if there is any interest.
this was a one ton w/sm420 & 5.13. works good as is but 4.57 may be ideal if i could find a quiet one.

[crhyno]

Originally Posted by cg285

i seldom take pictures of anything i do but i took a few of this. i could put them up if there is any interest.
this was a one ton w/sm420 & 5.13. works good as is but 4.57 may be ideal if i could find a quiet one.

I would like to have a look if you have time to post the pics. Thanks!

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by crhyno

I would like to have a look if you have time to post the pics. Thanks!

x2

[Shaky]

This is a good read. My understanding is that at a certain power level the head configuration starts to be a limiting factor. Not sure how much would apply to the 235 if that's what you have.

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by Shaky

This is a good read. My understanding is that at a certain power level the head configuration starts to be a limiting factor. Not sure how much would apply to the 235 if that's what you have.

At All power levels the head is a limiting factor. The 194-230-250-292 heads where not high on the list of air flow. The Intake valves are a tiny 1.70 and the exhaust a tiny 1.50. Another issue was the head bolt boss..it is a column that the head bolt goes through and is right in the center of the intake port causing a major obstruction of airflow...cutting them out and installing T6G2 High flow lumps adds much airflow. Also having 1.94 intake and 1.60 exhaust valves installed will make a major increase. Until head work is done..your not gonna get much power outta a chevy 6 unless you turbo it. lol Note..the 216-235-261 are different blocks from the 194-230-250-292 and so are the heads far as I know.

[theastronaut]

If you currently have a 230/250/292 and you're planning on adding a small block later, the only trans I'd look into would be a '94-'97 LT1 F-body T56. All the components needed to adapt them to a inline six would work to adapt to a small block, so you'd only be buying parts once. You'd want no lower (numerically) than 4.10 gears (4.56 if you have taller tires) to make use of sixth gear. With a 29" tall tire and 4.56 gears, you'd be doing 2000 rpm at 76 mph. They're rated at 450 lb/ft so you won't tear it up either.

[jcramsey]

Originally Posted by crhyno

Just want to thank everyone for the suggestions. Looks like I have a lot of reading to do (the pusher thread, 12bolt.com and anything I can find on borg warner 3 speed OD). Will let you know the route I decide on.

I've currently got a 250 w/ the stock three speed. Goes down the highway @ 65 good....although it's digging pretty hard. I need to get a tach so I can tell what I rpm's I'm turning. I snagged two borg warner ODs waiting to be rebuilt so I'm hoping that will get me down into a little better rpm range. Everyone I've talked to that have run them say I won't regret using it.

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by jcramsey

I've currently got a 250 w/ the stock three speed. Goes down the highway @ 65 good....although it's digging pretty hard. I need to get a tach so I can tell what I rpm's I'm turning. I snagged two borg warner ODs waiting to be rebuilt so I'm hoping that will get me down into a little better rpm range. Everyone I've talked to that have run them say I won't regret using it.

Can I have one!!!!????!!!! LOL!

[crhyno]

Originally Posted by jcramsey

I've currently got a 250 w/ the stock three speed. Goes down the highway @ 65 good....although it's digging pretty hard. I need to get a tach so I can tell what I rpm's I'm turning. I snagged two borg warner ODs waiting to be rebuilt so I'm hoping that will get me down into a little better rpm range. Everyone I've talked to that have run them say I won't regret using it.

Hi

65 would be more than fast enough for me. Saw a borg warner OD that was rebuilt on ebay last week and it sold for $1500. Any thoughts on whether this was a good price? My little 235 needs some help to be able to get onto a highway without serious damage. Reading various blogs about the BG bolted onto the 235 seems to indicate I should be able to easily do 65-70, but I am not sure that people post when it does not work the way they wanted.

[ChrisDollins]

So are you having gearing issues or power issues? Kinda sounds like you're talking about not having enough power. My little 250 with factory 3 speed pulls up to speed just fine, but runs out of gear around 60ish. It will go faster, but its spinning pretty quick. I would think yours would be the same.

Chris

[AcampoDave]

Wouldn't a 340 rear end go a long way toward helping you get down the highway without doing anything to the tranny at all? Keith may be able to offer you more insight as to what rear end would work best with your existing drive train. It's a beautiful truck you have there and it appears quite original. Whereas there is nothing wrong with newer drivetrains,.....they don't build 'em like yours anymore. I would at least shoot Keith a p.m. and ask him to run a spread sheet.

[crhyno]

Originally Posted by ChrisDollins

So are you having gearing issues or power issues? Kinda sounds like you're talking about not having enough power. My little 250 with factory 3 speed pulls up to speed just fine, but runs out of gear around 60ish. It will go faster, but its spinning pretty quick. I would think yours would be the same.

Chris

I am not really sure. I do not have a tach, but it sounds like I am at top end about 50MPH and unless I am going downhill I am not getting much more speed. The truck has just gone into the shop for a complete frame off restoration and when it is done I want to be able to drive it on the highway when needed. I want to leave it as original as possible, so changing gears would be my preferred option, but there is probably no better time for me to put in a different transmission if that is what will be needed to make it highway drivable.

I really want to leave it as a three speed (learned to drive on one), so I am thinking that if I cant fix with gears I want to get a 3 speed trans to leave it as original as possible.

I will put in a tach but probably hide it under the dash somewhere, so that in the future I will have a better measurement tool.

Thanks for all advice.