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Modernizing a 1958 Chevy Viking 60 truck engine and transmission.
Maybe some of you Chevy fans could answer this question. On a 1958 Chevy Viking 60 truck that has a 235 inline 6 cylinder engine with a manual transmission and PTO to a hydraulic dump flat bed, what modern (1975 to not real expensive year) engine and automatic transmission might fit into the Viking 60 two-ton truck?
Like this:
To a car hauler:
And what color do you think this is, and where can I get it, or have it mixed?
I think the gun metal grey (if that is what that color is) grill and bumper is nice.
Pretty much anything will fit. You want simple or complicated? Simple is carb'd big block (BB as I assume you want enough power to be useful). Complicated is newer EFI. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
1.) Bolt a 261 I-6 in for a little more touque/hp. (simple)
2.) Find a 8.1 BB, with an Allison auto (make sure it has the PTO option) and as much of the wiring/computers as possible. (Complex, but lots of fun!!)
3.) What I would want to do is put in a 409, single 4bbl and swear on a stack of bibles to any one that would ask that it is a 348! A 348 would have been the biggest engine available, that year in that truck. I'd keep the manual transmission. (although I might want to find a 5sp), Hopefully it has 2sp rear end and I would shift to my heart's content!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1.) Bolt a 261 I-6 in for a little more touque/hp. (simple)
2.) Find a 8.1 BB, with an Allison auto (make sure it has the PTO option) and as much of the wiring/computers as possible. (Complex, but lots of fun!!)
3.) What I would want to do is put in a 409, single 4bbl and swear on a stack of bibles to any one that would ask that it is a 348! A 348 would have been the biggest engine available, that year in that truck. I'd keep the manual transmission. (although I might want to find a 5sp), Hopefully it has 2sp rear end and I would shift to my heart's content!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well since I was a truck driver for a number of years, my idea of shifting to my heart's content is letting the newer automatics do it for me. Having said that, it currently has a 235 hp 6 banger, and I read that the first Corvettes used the same stove bolt engines. I have no idea if it runs.
I looked up what engine lasts the longest, google said a Silverado 4.3L V-6engine lasts 400,000 miles. not sure what transmission came with that nor if it has turbos, and could pull the truck and a car or truck on top of it. I'm thinking Viking 60s are not that big, only a 12 foot flat bed, which is not enough by itself to be a car hauler, and will need to be extended.
And I know nothing of computerized engine swaps for the Vortec 8.1, but would love to do it with someone's help that knows how to make the computer happy in that old truck.
I think a 409 would be either hard to find or expensive to put in a $1800 truck. I have a 390 Tunderbird engine, but many have said it won't work because of the compression.
You could also swap in a 5.9 Cummins and transmission from a Dodge truck but you would have to change the rear end gears and modify the fuel system. Sweet old truck.
5.3 or 6.0 from a 1998-2002 GM truck. Most reliable of the GM small block V8s. Only problem was the 4L60E they put behind the half ton trucks. But a 6.0 from a 3/4 ton would have a 4L80 or 4L85 behind it.
If you want to keep the PTO function, I would run an Allison trans. Engine really depends on your goals. 8.1’s are cheap and decent big blocks stock. For a diesel, a 6BT would be a good lower cost option.
You could also go with a medium duty setup like a Cat 3126.
If you wanted something with lots of personality, look at a Detroit like a 6v53t
5.3 or 6.0 from a 1998-2002 GM truck. Most reliable of the GM small block V8s. Only problem was the 4L60E they put behind the half ton trucks. But a 6.0 from a 3/4 ton would have a 4L80 or 4L85 behind it.
Would I have a bunch of problems with the computer in a swap to that old truck, with a 6.0 ?
And what about this for example? (2001 CHEVY LQ4 6.0 VORTEC ENGINE AND 2WD 4L80E TRANS. $1,000)
If you want to keep the PTO function, I would run an Allison trans. Engine really depends on your goals. 8.1’s are cheap and decent big blocks stock. For a diesel, a 6BT would be a good lower cost option.
You could also go with a medium duty setup like a Cat 3126.
If you wanted something with lots of personality, look at a Detroit like a 6v53t
Is there a way to tell what transmission the truck has, as the VIN or something?
Well since I was a truck driver for a number of years, my idea of shifting to my heart's content is letting the newer automatics do it for me. Having said that, it currently has a 235 hp 6 banger, and I read that the first Corvettes used the same stove bolt engines. I have no idea if it runs.
If you were a real gear jammer you'd add a brownie and an 8v71 to that Viking.
Never knew that Brown-Lipe was a GM division though.
If you want to keep the PTO function, I would run an Allison trans. Engine really depends on your goals. 8.1’s are cheap and decent big blocks stock. For a diesel, a 6BT would be a good lower cost option.
You could also go with a medium duty setup like a Cat 3126.
If you wanted something with lots of personality, look at a Detroit like a 6v53t
You buy the engine/trans/ECU combo that works together. You plug it all in, you get a tuner to turn off all the stuff that isn't available and you're done.
PTO might be the issue however a very quick Google search says there are PTO kits for the LS engines from the Marine sector.
02-23-2023, 01:05 PM
Modernizing a 1958 Chevy Viking 60 truck engine and transmission.
