The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1958 apache engine and transmission swap...need tech advice

say guys, I am restoring my wifes 58 apache. we took the inline 6 and 3 speed transmission to replace it with a 350 V8 and a four speed floor shift transmission. easy right? well she wants the original brake and clutch pedal and steering wheel to keep its nostalgic look. my question is: does anyone make a conversion kit that allows the original pedals with a newer bell housing or can you guys give me advice on how to fabricate or locate the clutch linkage, booster, and other items and well as the brake booster with linkage? If I opt for a firewall mounted pedal assembly, will this make it easier or what? thanks for any input...Sean

Hy seandavis333, welcome, if you mount the 350 using the original front mounts and cast iron bellhousing for the V8 no modification of the clutch pedal/linkage will be necessary. There are many kits available to mount a dual master cylinder and booster setup in the stock location under the floor. Look around on some of the brake system specialist websites, I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for, hope that helps.

Why not use a V8 bellhousing with side mounts that will use the original crossmember? That way you can still use the original pedal and linkage from the 6 cyl. I dropped a 283 in my truck and used the 3815891 bell with the 3 speed trans and same clutch linkage that was on the 6 cyl. I'm still using the original pedals and it works fine.

The diameter of the front bearing retainer plate of your 4 speed will determine what bellhousing you use. A P/N 3815891 bell will work with the size retainer plate on the 3 speed. If the 4 speed plate is larger than the 3 speed's, you'll need a bell with a larger opening, such as a P/N 3925505.
You can use a V8 front mount setup. There are aftermarket ones available for just over $100.00.
If you don't go with either of these, then you'll need new crossmembers for the 4 speed and engine side mounts.

Here is a tech tip on bellhousings: http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/engines/bellhousings.html

You will lose the foot stomp starter, and will have to go with a starter that has a solenoid.

"......she wants the original brake and clutch pedal and steering wheel to keep its nostalgic look....."
Sean....you're a lucky guy....a 58 Apache AND wife who even cares....

flatblu4748

As 55_shaker said, you will lose the foot stomp. Factory V8 trucks had a plate put in place where the foot stomp went thru, held on by 3 panhead screws and a mat that didn't have the opening where the stomp went.

I agree I am lucky in that sense… It was her dad's truck in high school and he gave it to her as part of an inheritance It was extremely rough and I've spent the last year trying to renovate it with a V-8 a manual floor. shift modern brakes. 3B said there were aftermarket duel boosters available… Can any of you guys recommend one that is not a cheap Chinese knockoff?
She's wanting to just driving Cruise in it and I was curious if a T5 transmission will hold up behind a 350 or is there a better recommendation for a five speed overdrive transmission?

Sean,

Welcome to the Stovebolt

I did exactly what your doing...see my truck on the Stovebolt Home page this month. All of the modifications are bolt-in, I didn't butcher anything so the next guy could but it back 100% stock if desired.

I installed a 350 sbc with a Saginaw 4-speed and a 1981 Trans-Am 2.73 rear. I used the T&F Shifter to put the gear shift lever in the stock 4-speed location. I also added power rack and pinion steering that's bolted to the straight axle and put a Panel/Suburban front sway bar on. I have front disc brakes with a dual pot MC under the floor with a remote fill resivoir on the firewall.

My truck looks stock as long as I keep the hood down (except for the AC ducts hanging under the dash and the wheels/tires).

Ask away...

Mike B

Where do you buy the bolts ons and what exactly did you buy? I have a 350, motor mounts, and Saginaw to start with.

Rack and Pinion

https://www.performanceonline.com/1...OWER-STEERING-RACK-and-PINION-KIT-19675/

Brake MC and Booster

https://www.performanceonline.com/1...on-Kit-5-x-4.75-Bolt-Pattern-CBK5-47551/

Remote MC Resovior and MC Lid

http://www.kugelkomponents.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=49

Steering Column

http://www.ididitinc.com/retrofit-steering-columns-2/47-78ChevyTruckFS_Retr-46

A/C

http://www.vintageair.com/2015%20Catalog/2015%20VintageAir%20Catalog%2035.pdf

Wiring Harness (made by American Auto Wire)

http://www.classicparts.com/1955-59-Classic-Wiring-Update-Kit/productinfo/52-082/#

Power Steering Pump Brackets and Pulleys

http://www.alangrovecomponents.com/Catalog.htm

Saginaw Transmission Shifter (puts shifter in original location)

T & F Transmission Shifters
Lebanon, OR 97355
Phone: (541) 451-1929

Almost ALL of the normal 55-59 vendor stuff came from Classic Parts of America, they have always treated me good and I spent over $5K with them on this project. They will send you their catalog free for the asking...I've also used LMC and The Truck Shop. Don't be afraid to ask for a discount on big orders, they all want your business and for the most part they all sell the exact same parts.

Hope this helps,

Mike B

Mike, how did you make the Saginaw work with the factory clutch set up?

The Saginaw bolts right up to the Chevrolet truck bell housing with stock clutch and pressure plate...no modifications needed on the clutch pedal linkage. Here's what it looked like before I installed the T&F Shifter.

http://s160.photobucket.com/user/st...060_zpsoaw2tb7m.jpg.html?sort=3&o=13

Mike B

Did you run headers or stock exhaust? How did the shifter mount through the trans plate and how far from the seat did it measure?

I'm using stock ram's horn manifolds, they fit fine and there's no issue with steering clearance issues, my engine is also very mild, maybe 250 HP?

The shifter comes up through the stock 4-speed hole in the humped trans cover with a very small amount of trim work. I useed a large rubber shifter boot to make it water tight with a leather boot cover over it to give it a nice finished look.

http://s160.photobucket.com/user/st.../350_zpsulfogj7o.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

Mike B

That looks very nice!! Did you install a slip yolk or modify the driveshaft to a 2 piece with mud mount?

Thanks, It's a one piece driveshaft with a slip yolk.

Mike B

Okay, I'm getting this figured out I have a Chevy 350 VA with the Saginaw for speed and then alumina am bell housing — the clutch for work that came with my Bell housing does not have a hole drilled in it for the offset rod but I can my van that. Did you have tomorrow for the offset rod or the clutch offset rod hook to work with the Saginaw? We are going to test fee at the engine and transmission into the frame next week to get everything lined up but I was not sure about the length and placement of the factory offset rod with the clutch fork installed on the Saginaw transmission

Also, what diameter clutch would you recommend as my wife all be driving it and I do not want a clutch it is ridiculously stiff.

I'm not aware of an aluminum bell housing that will bolt to the truck cross member. If you are using the front motor mounts (at the front pulley) you need to also use the bell housing mounts and then let the tranny just hang off the back. Using the bell housing mount will then automatically line everything up so there won't be any clearance issues.

Note, your V8 will need to have the stock (low) valve covers or they will hit the cab fire wall.

I used a clutch kit for a 1980 Camaro, I think it has a 10.5" clutch...feels good to me.

I used a stock truck V8 cast iron truck bell housing with ALL of the stock pedal linkage (Clutch fork, throwout bearing, adjusting bolt, J hook and return spring etc.).

Mike B >)

Sean, auto correct is killing your posts. Makes it hard for us old, non tech folks to figure out what your talking about. Turn it off or proof your posts before you hit submit.

Sounds like you are going to have a fun truck when finished. Good luck.

Hi Mike, are you saying that you were able to mount a more modern SBC in your truck which was mounted from the original front crossmember? I thought only the older V8's had provisions for front mounts. My 305 has only side mounts …. I think.... My truck is a 1955-2 3600. I'm obviously new to this

Yes, I have newer SBC's mounted in my TF trucks. I don't know what year Chevrolet stopped drilling and tapping the 4 holes on the front of the block, but my 1969 350 and my 1990's 350 create motor were both drilled. Look for the (2) 3/8" bolt holes on each side of timing gear cover down low on the front of the block...

Mike B