[nikwho]

I just drove the truck for most of 2018 and early 2019. I was less than thrilled with the performance of the truck with the mostly stock 355 SBC and totally stock 700r4 transmission in the truck. So, mid 2019 I built up an all forged 388" SBC, with a 4 bolt main block, forged +0.060" pistons, ARP studs throughout, World Products heads and a Quick Fuel carb. I went with a 303°/313° duration, .487"/.508" lift HFT cam, with the intention of eventually swapping to a roller cam. Knowing that the old stock, high milage 700r4 would not survive behind my new stroker, I needed a transmission swap, too. I had installed a TCI Streetfighter transmission in my '68 GMC, but it was getting a 496 BBC and a built TH-400 swapped into it, so I liberated its transmission for my '59 Apache! I went with a new 2,800-ish rpm stall converter. I have been very happy with the new engine and transmission setup! Performance is night and day. The truck absolutely rips now!