Posted by George on August 24, 1998 at 09:57:52:
In Reply to: Requesting information about WC-53 Carryalls posted by Ron on August 24, 1998 at 08:03:20:
I think the answers to your questions depend on how you plan to use this truck. It seems that everyone who first gets involved with these trucks looks for ways to make them go faster etc. I did too...but I suggest you forget this approach. If you want modern performance, you really better buy a modern truck. It is more constructive to think of these as tractors. Nobody trys to make tractors go faster by swapping motors, or changing their gearing etc.
I have a 56 civilian PW and I did change the gears to 4.89s. This make driving at 50-52 much less stressful on me and the engine, but I don't think it actually enables you to go much faster. These trucks are just not built for that. I don't think the 4.89 would affect off road performance that much because you have such a good selection of lower gears and you have a transfer case to double the ratios...so getting to a lower that is low enough is usually not a problem. The 4.89s do make it necessary to use 1st gear more often, and may make you run in 3rd where you might squeeze buy in 4th with 5.83s. I do prefer the 4.89s...but if my travel were restricted to dirt roads, trails or carried heavy loads etc, and I really never wanted to go faster than 45, I would stick with 5.83s.
Repowering is certainly possible..hate to see it happen with a carryall since they are relatively rare vehicles. The most "authentic" swap would be to put in a 251 or 265 Chrysler big 6...these are 2 inches longer necessitating some changes at the radiator....but lots of people have done that. They may boost power by 10-15% or so as is, and you may get 20% increase if you mill the head and improve the breathing using a dual carb-dual exhaust manifold which was available in the 50s from Chrysler. You can get hotter cams too, but I think this is mostly pointless also because the engines cannot safely rev high enough to make use of the changed valve timing. However..the 15% or so that you get from the bigger engine does seem to make a noticeable difference...I guess because when you are underpowered....every little bit helps!
Brakes are a problem...and one of the reasons I say that there is little point in trying to make them go fast. There are disc brake conversions available now...I have seen them installed but have not tested them. I would presume the are a lot better. Do check to make sure you have dry shoes...the wheel cyclinders tend to leak and soak the shoes, which then of course do not work at all well. By the way, for reliability, I would get the White Post guys to resleeve the wheel cycliners with stainless....then they will never leak again in your lifetime.
for reliability, you might also consider and electric fuel pump.
good luck
George