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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 20 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 20 | Hello,,,,,So᠁despite the cost and inconvenience, I pulled my 1955 2nd 235 6 cyl for a correct 265 V-8.
The problem I'm having now is this: It looks like the rear bell housing is going to come up short of the pad. I spent a lot of time and energy getting the correct bell housing and the correct front motor mounts, but it just doesnt look like it's going to mount without some modification.
Any help and/or suggestions?? Thank you!
Love is blind᠁.but the neighbors ain't!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 | I just did a 283 in my '58. Not sure what the problem is, mine sat right in there. I pulled one of the metal brackets off the engine and had the spindles in place onto the frame. I got the engine lowered in (tilted slightly to the rear) and got one of the bell housing bolts started. Then I lowered almost to the front mount, and then got the second front mount bolted back on. Then the second rear mount and tightened them all accordingly. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 | Marc, You shouldn't have to modify anything if you have the correct bellhousing and motor mounts. Did you install the V8 motor mount brackets to your front cross member? If your trying to use the 6-cylinder cross member holes you will come up short... Is the bellhousing bolted to the engine or mounted in the frame? Is the trans in or out of the truck? Just trying to understand exactly where we are... Mike B  | | | | | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 20 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 20 | Hello Mike and thanks for the response..,
1) Motor mount brackets not bolted anywhere yet, but they are the short ones mounting to the front of the motor (as opposed to the sides on my old 6)...
2) The bell housing, and transmission were bolted to the engine...I searched and found the correct casting and proper bell housing. In a perfect world the BH should sit right where the old motor/trans sat.
Even considering everything you have mentioned,,,it just looks like the bell housing is going to be a few inches short....
Love is blind᠁.but the neighbors ain't!
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 20 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 20 | Hi Mike,
Well....you were correct! It looks like I do not have the mounting brackets that attach to the frame (the ones that the front mounts sit on).
Now I am trying to locate the frame mount brackets only...do not need the motor mounts. Any suggestions?
Love is blind᠁.but the neighbors ain't!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 | Put an ad in the Parts Wanted section here on the Stovebolt...maybe someone has a pair laying around. You could also call some of the vendors to see if they have a busted open kit that they would sell the frame brackets from...never know until you ask. Mike B | | | | | Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 336 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 336 | With the installation of the 265, the foot stomp will be removed and a hole left. Factory V8 trucks had a plate (held in place by 3 panhead screws) in the hole as well as a mat without the stomp opening.
PM sent
Last edited by Cablesmill; 02/14/2016 12:13 AM.
1959 3100 Apache Fleetside
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 | The ignition switch is also different, the 6-cylinder switch doesn't have "Start", just OFF & RUN. Mike B | | | | | Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 336 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 336 | MikeB is right......you might find one of them on eBay, but there are repops. I've seen 60-70's ignition switches used, but they just don't look as good as the original one (my opinion).
1959 3100 Apache Fleetside
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 60 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 60 | Hi, I have the parts you need. I took a V8 out of my 55 cameo and put in a 261 with TBI injection. If you want them E mail me.. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 | A year-correct 55 265 will not have the canister type oil filter at the rear corner of the oil pan. It uses the same bypass filter as the 6 cylinder engine. 55 was the only year that filter system was in use on the V8. In 56 they went to the full flow filter integral with the engine block.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 336 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 336 | Something else to think about..the throttle linkages are different too, you'll need the V8 linkage.
1959 3100 Apache Fleetside
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,066 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,066 | It's also a good idea to install the V-8 throttle linkage before the engine is in place. It's a real tight spot to work with the engine in the way.
Fred
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 20 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 20 | Hello Wrench,
Just checking in to see if you still have some of the parts I'm needing for the 6-to-V8 engine swap.
Feel free to email me at: marcphoenix1@yahoo.com
Kindest regards᠁.BTW᠁are you a member of the Cameo Club of America?
Marc
Love is blind᠁.but the neighbors ain't!
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 20 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 20 | Hello Mike,
Had a real nice talk with Rod out of Tennessee yesterday and your name came up in context of a real expert on 55-59 chevy trucks᠁I guess you've seen it all.
Anyway᠁in regards to my 6-toV8-swap᠁..Is it possible to simply add a deep fan shroud and forgo all the other factory v-8 sheet metal pieces? If so, could you point me in the right direction of a vintage fan shroud?
Thank you again Mike.
Marc
Love is blind᠁.but the neighbors ain't!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 | Marc, I installed a V8 in my '56 3100 resto-rod project and I installed a 16" electric puller fan on the back of the radiator and never looked back. The only thing you would need would be the thermostat to control the fan. If you prefer the shroud route look in any 58/59 Chevy/GMC truck at the junk yard, as they all had the core support in the 6-cylinder position and ALL V8 had shrouds... Some 55-57 BIG trucks also had shrouds so look under their hoods as well. Mike B | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 85 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 85 | Hi Marc,
I installed a 350 in my 56 pickup. With a 3 inch fan extension and no shroud it stays cool with the original 6 cylinder radiator. WA is cooler than CA but might be worth a try before you start searching for a shroud. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 20 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 20 | Bill᠁
You the man! That shroud-for-all-the-other-sheet-metal quagmire helps A LOT!
Thank you very much᠁..Will keep you posted!
Marc
Love is blind᠁.but the neighbors ain't!
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