I have a 1959 Apache that has an unknown chevy shortblock and supposedly the original transmission. Neither the transmission nor the engine ran very well so I just wanted to change them out with something new or rebuilt and reliable. I am not that interested in staying stock under the hood, the rest of the truck will remain stock. The shop I am using has hit a wall and can't figure out which new transmission and engine combination will fit. I am moving the truck to a shop who has more experience however they told me that if I don't keep the original trans. I will have to mess around with shortening the drive shaft which is a big deal. Can some one tell me what the pitfalls will be and if some one knows of an engine/transmission pair that will go in with the least amount of work. I have hit the wall and after 2 years of trying with a professional mechanic I am really anxious to get the truck running and drive it. Thanks for any help you can give me.
