- Thread starter TDJD
- Start date
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
Not for very long! LOL
No, it would pretty much need a repower, transmission and rear end.
I'm thinking those had a closed drive shaft, could be wrong though.
No, it would pretty much need a repower, transmission and rear end.
I'm thinking those had a closed drive shaft, could be wrong though.
steve_in_mo
Well-known Member
I don't know what's the matter with these guys.
My dad had a 1948 Ford F6 with the 255 flathead V8 (Mercury car, and truck engine).
and 4 speed no-syncro transmission/2 speed axle that would get an honest 75.
All day, with a couple stops for gas. Gas gauge even worked.
The Chevy two-ton truck was not so strong but a good tune and you should be capable of 60.
The original engine was a 235 cid straight six and in 1950 it was rated at 90 hp.
If you want to go faster:
Push or pull it with a newer bigger truck.
Get it on a long downhill with a brisk tailwind.
Add a Wile E/ Coyote (Super Genius) Acme giant rocket booster.
My dad had a 1948 Ford F6 with the 255 flathead V8 (Mercury car, and truck engine).
and 4 speed no-syncro transmission/2 speed axle that would get an honest 75.
All day, with a couple stops for gas. Gas gauge even worked.
The Chevy two-ton truck was not so strong but a good tune and you should be capable of 60.
The original engine was a 235 cid straight six and in 1950 it was rated at 90 hp.
If you want to go faster:
Push or pull it with a newer bigger truck.
Get it on a long downhill with a brisk tailwind.
Add a Wile E/ Coyote (Super Genius) Acme giant rocket booster.
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
In 1950 it could have been a 235, or a 216.
Either would have had dipper rods and babbet bearings.
It would have also been geared very low.
Pushing it to 60 would very likely bring it to a quick end.
Unless the rest of the truck was in good condition, tight front end, good tires and brakes, 60 would be very uncomfortable anyway!
Either would have had dipper rods and babbet bearings.
It would have also been geared very low.
Pushing it to 60 would very likely bring it to a quick end.
Unless the rest of the truck was in good condition, tight front end, good tires and brakes, 60 would be very uncomfortable anyway!
Janicholson
Well-known Member
I have a GMC 3/4 with 17" ring clamp tires. It will go 65 all day (and has several times. If the spindle bearings and king pins are tight, and the steering gear box has little play, it will be controllable. Power wise Depends on the engine and load. 216 I'd say no. But the larger full pressure engines will do it. Jim
You have a funky oil system that has a trough in the pan that sprays oil at the rods. It is NOT a positive pressure system. Going faster than it was designed to go will cause you to possibly burn out some bearings. The other important point already made is will it stop at that speed. Likely not well and driving with the idea that you can plan ahead to stop is not a good one.
Not cheap or easy but affordable, a late 1960s straight six should bolt straight in. While you're at it, change the rear end out and put disc brakes all the way around.
Not cheap or easy but affordable, a late 1960s straight six should bolt straight in. While you're at it, change the rear end out and put disc brakes all the way around.
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
A 261 is a better engine, full pressure lube system.
A lot depends on what rear gear it has.
Pushing that engine beyond it's RPM range won't be good for it, but it will handle it better. Do you have one ready to go? They are somewhat rare. All the stove bolt series were bad about cracking heads in warm climates.
Unless you just want to keep it looking original, a more economical and practical approach would be to change the drive train out to something later model.
A lot depends on what rear gear it has.
Pushing that engine beyond it's RPM range won't be good for it, but it will handle it better. Do you have one ready to go? They are somewhat rare. All the stove bolt series were bad about cracking heads in warm climates.
Unless you just want to keep it looking original, a more economical and practical approach would be to change the drive train out to something later model.
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
A 230, 250 will handle the RPM, it's short stroke, 7 main bearings. But it won't bolt to the bell housing. You would have to change the bell housing to a later model.
Also be some problems with the front mounts.
Also be some problems with the front mounts.
"I'm looking at a Chevy 1950 6400 2ton truck. Is there some way (without spending a lot of money) that I could get it to go 60 MPH."
If that's what you need to do, for a sustained period, look for something newer. Also, you didn't tell us if it has a 2-speed rear axle (GOOD if 'ya wanna go 60).
That being said, the danged 'ol thing you are considering isn't NEARLY as pathetic as some of the guys that have replied seem to think it is, and the guy that says "60 mph in a 1950 with vacuum brakes hope God is your copilot" is COMPLETELY out in left field IF those breaks are in good condition.
If that's what you need to do, for a sustained period, look for something newer. Also, you didn't tell us if it has a 2-speed rear axle (GOOD if 'ya wanna go 60).
That being said, the danged 'ol thing you are considering isn't NEARLY as pathetic as some of the guys that have replied seem to think it is, and the guy that says "60 mph in a 1950 with vacuum brakes hope God is your copilot" is COMPLETELY out in left field IF those breaks are in good condition.
JerryCPP(WA)
Member
Yes. You can add a Gear Vendors overdrive, but unless you upgrade that engine, it won't have enough power to pull it. I restored a 1957 5700 with the same SM420 transmission, vacuum 2-speed, and overdrive. Even with a 327 engine it won't do well on any kind of hill. On the level or down hill it cruises 60 MPH at about 2600 RPM. As soon as I start up any kind of hill I'm shifting down to try to maintain speed.
Rich'sToys
Well-known Member
- Location
- Southern MN
Lots of good advice in this thread.
If you have not already done so, visit Stovebolt.com and ask your question in their "Big Bolts" forum.
BarnyardEngineering
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rochester, NY
Maybe eventually, on flat ground, with a small tractor it will get up to 55.
What are you trying to accomplish? If you're trying to set up something to haul your tractor on the cheap, this is not the way to go. If you are trying to set up something "period correct" then you need to be willing to travel at "period correct" speeds.
rustyfarmall
Well-known Member
Only way would be to add an over-drive unit, or swap out the ring gear and pinion in the rear end. I will guess that the current rear-end setup is somewhere north of a 5 to one ratio. Maybe closer to a 6 to one. No way you are going to get 60mph.
It ain't the engine. It is the axle ratio.
Find a 80s parts pickup that has a 292 I6 and a 4 (5?) speed behind it. Mated to the 2 speed rear end getting it to modern highway speed would be doable. If its a 4 speed it will be a Muncie SM465 and that would probably be much better transmission than whats in it now. Parts would be cheap and you'll have solid setup that can't hurt itself.
It should make that speed on the level. I grew up in a 1951 Chevy not sure of model ? but is was a larger truck and had a dump grain/cattle rack bed on it.
For moving farm equipment look into getting a JCB fast trac. They go fast and no need for plates or insurance in most states.
For moving farm equipment look into getting a JCB fast trac. They go fast and no need for plates or insurance in most states.
Dave H (MI)
Well-known Member
In my experience old equipment only works well if you do not push it too hard. I have two old trucks that I use regularly and most of the time I take the back roads and go easy. You will get a lot more out of the old lady if you don't treat her like a teenager. Anything else is a trail of tears....or repairs.
Put in a late 235 engine that would have hydraulic lifters and not a dip system.I did that to my 1950 2 ton and was a better engine than the 216 or early 235. With the newer engine no problem running 60 MPH empty but loaded I never run over 50-55 I really never like the braking system on those trucks.
37chief
Well-known Member
- Location
- California
That is a lot to be asking out of your old truck. With some modifications you could get that speed. I have a 54 6400. A later 235 engine was installed in it years ago. The 1950 probably still has the 216 engine. My truck has vacuum assisted brakes, and a two speed rear axle. It would probably go 60, but I have never pushed it. Stan
What is the current gear ratio in the rear end? I'm not familiar with how easy it is to swap out rear end gears in a two speed rear end, but that might be your answer. I have a 1959 1-ton Chevy that came with 5.14:1 rear end. It sounded like the engine was going to blow up when driving at 50-55 mph. I put in a 4.10:1 rear end gear "pumpkin" (kept the same axle and rear end housing) and that made a big difference. 5.14:1 was probably great starting out a big load with the 235 six cylinder, but until I overload it and can't move the 4.10:1 is working fine.
I would check with your insurance company before putting much money into an old truck if you intend to use it for business purposes. It would be a shame if you fixed it up and could only take it to shows and parades. Will you be plowing and cultivating gardens or what type of custom farming can be done today with two cylinder tractors?
banjoman09
Well-known Member
I would not want to go 60 in a truck as this one.
Similar threads
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.
Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy