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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 321
M
'Bolter
'Bolter
M Offline
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 321
Hi Stovebolters

I have located what looks to be a 95% done running and driving old Chevy truck (1949) it has a 1960's 327 Chevy motor hooked to a 4 speed transmission. It supposedly runs well. the whole project is based on an early 1970's Chevy truck with the older cab (1949) mounted on the chassis. From the pictures I have seen...seems to be pretty decent....body may need some work...but that is what they make patch panels for...

So from a driveline standpoint...(I have never had a V8 in anything I have owned)...so would it help in the drive-ablity end of things to swap out the big old school V8 and put maybe a 235 or a 250 in its place ???...or maybe get crazy and get 4.3 V6 and a 5 speed from an older S10 ???...

Just looking for possible options before I make a commitment to purchase this vehicle....

MikeC


1951 Chevy 3800 1-Ton
Howard Knapp
In the Stovebolt Gallery
1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)
1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,214
M
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,214
Going backwards (old motor) on a new frame may require lots of fabrication, but as they say...with enough time and money anything can be done.

If you really want an old school inline six, why not buy one already set up and stay away from the frame swap. The newer frame may be wider and the wheels may not fit nice...My ,02 cents.

Mike B smile


Mike Boteler

1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod
1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep
1983 Jeep CJ7 Laredo
1984 Jeep CJ7
+++++
Silver Spring, MD
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,440
Bolter
Bolter
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,440
What's wrong with a 327? If the swap was done right you should have no issues. Very dependable street rod.


Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)

Joined: Mar 2010
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5
Renaissance Man
Renaissance Man
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Posts: 10,279
I'd like to see how that frame swap turned out. Do you have pics?


1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 321
M
'Bolter
'Bolter
M Offline
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 321
Originally Posted by 52Carl
I'd like to see how that frame swap turned out. Do you have pics?

Hi Carl

It is currently 4 hours East of me, it is based on a early 1970's Chevy truck, stock front end, stock rear end too. From the pictures from the ad I have seen it looks like someone got sick of working on it...or ran out of money...or both..

Thanks for the insight guys...

MikeC


1951 Chevy 3800 1-Ton
Howard Knapp
In the Stovebolt Gallery
1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)
1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016)
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 916
N
'Bolter
'Bolter
N Offline
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 916
I cannot imagine putting a stove bolt 6 in anything but an older frame, and only because it's somewhat "period correct" and is in keeping with every other antiquated system in a 40's truck.

With a newer frame, I'd definitely keep the 327 drive train. As I continue to pour money into my 261 build, the mystique of driving a stovebolt is beginning to wear off!! Hopefully I'll feel different after I fire it up.

Post pics if you buy her- I'd love to see what they did and how it worked out. Good luck


~ Dave
1950 Chevrolet 3600 3/4-ton with 261 engine & T5 Transmission
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,983
B
Sir Searchalot
Sir Searchalot
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,983
Some great advice above. I agree with most.

My opinion:
1. Early Chevy Chassis= Good
2. 60's 327= real good
3. 70's drive train= good
4. 4 speed, depending which one= good-real good
5. 49 Truck body complete= good
6. How is was put together and how it looks/quality of swap= don't know til you see in person. Very important to me.
7. Buying it when you don't want motor/trans= waste of time. Unknown re-fabrication problems.
8. Title= good, No title= no good
9. Should be more worried/examine "needs some body work"= critical
10. Sale price?= 50% of the decision.


Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,792
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,792
Unless some very creative body work has been done, there's not much way to make an early 50's cab and fenders fit over a 70's frame and running gear without looking really strange- - - -the track width is all wrong. It's the same reason putting the later IFS crossmember under an early straight front axle truck is difficult. The tires stick out from under the fenders too far, and if altered-offset wheels are used to correct the track width it screws up the steering geometry and makes the rig handle like a rhinoceros on a wet clay bank. Buyer beware!
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: Dec 2006
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M
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 321
Originally Posted by Hotrod Lincoln
Unless some very creative body work has been done, there's not much way to make an early 50's cab and fenders fit over a 70's frame and running gear without looking really strange- - - -the track width is all wrong. It's the same reason putting the later IFS crossmember under an early straight front axle truck is difficult. The tires stick out from under the fenders too far, and if altered-offset wheels are used to correct the track width it screws up the steering geometry and makes the rig handle like a rhinoceros on a wet clay bank. Buyer beware!
Jerry

Thanks for all the replies...I am still considering this project but thinking really hard on it too...I like the coils springs in the front and the back on this chassis set-up...I know my quad leaf truck that I had was a bear to drive and riding in it would shake your teeth loose too...and yes the track width does look wider in the pictures I have seen of it too...

scratching my chin again for sure...

MikeC


1951 Chevy 3800 1-Ton
Howard Knapp
In the Stovebolt Gallery
1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)
1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016)
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,792
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
H Offline
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,792
If you're very good at sheet metal work, you could graft about two inches of sheet metal into all the fenders front to back and move the overall width of the wheel openings out to cover the tires. That would make the vehicle 4 inches wider, but the tires would be covered and there would be less of a possibility of the tires hitting the fenders in a turn. Track width is why lots of frame swappers use the S-10 frame instead of a full size.
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: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,766
C
Carburetion specialist
Carburetion specialist
C Offline
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,766
The first three items I would check would be:

(1) The title (clear)
(2) The title (your state's interpretation of the title)
(3) The title (your insurance companys interpretation of the title)

In Missouri, that thing would be titled as a 20xx Homebuilt; AFTER the highway patrol had inspected it.

Did you ever try to insure a 20xx Homebuilt?

Luck.

Jon.


Good carburetion is fuelish hot air
The most expensive carburetor is the wrong one you attempt to modify.
If you truly believe "one size fits all," try walking a mile in your spouse's shoes!
The Carburetor Shop

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