Now just a minute here...
...a pre-1963 Stovebolt, in good condition is just as "driveable" as when new...
...problem is, the world goes just too darn fast now-a-days :rolleyes:
As a "driver of old iron" since I wuz 17, until recently, my daily drivers were at least 25 years old.
This includes the 1948 Chrysler I drove while at college (frequently drove it between Baltimore & Wilkes-Barre, 200 miles on the I-state), the '50 Chevy Fleetline sedan, the '55 De Soto, the '48 IHC, etc, culminating with the present 1941 De Soto.
True, pre-'60's iron doesn't much like the super highway, but frankly, now commuting 50 miles each day on I-81 where people just seem to be in a hurry to meet their maker (and take me with 'em!), I often consider taking the "senior" car and sticking to the U.S. & W.P.A. roads, and enjoying the ride!
Now, back to the original question, yeah, nothing post '63 bolts to pre-63 where bell housings are concerned.
Conversely, there ARE post-'63 engines & bell housings that will bolt up to the older trannys.
There's more lee-way with trannys, and the angled rear-mounts of the post-'55 sixes and eights do fit the '54 cross-member, you'd just have to come up with side mounts for the front.
I don't think I've even pulled the bell housing of a 235 or 216, except to put the block on an engine stand; it's a pain!
You've gotta pull the flywheel to get at the bolts! :mad:
I'm curious about putting the later 6 in an AD, since it will take the higher revs accompanying the stock rears better than the older engine; or...
..finding a tranny/rear combo that'll keep the revs down at highway speed so I can keep the old mill; or...
...maybe I'll just keep it stock & drive slow, and annoy all the "important" people behind me in their SUV's :p
Frank
