The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1946 1/2 Ton 350 Engine Swap

Need some advice from the experts of this fine forum. I have inherited a 1946 1/2 project and would like to restore it with a modern drive train and is reliable. i have a 235 but it is in pretty bad shape and a quote from the local engine rebuilder said it would be about $5000 for a complete rebuild. I found a 350 engine and th350 transmission package from Pace Performance for $5000. I would like to go this route since it seems more reliable. Will I run into any issues doing this, and what would be the best approach to doing this kind of swap?

Also the person I got the truck from had an independent suspension installed as well as a rear end from a 1992 s10.

With installing this engine and transmission will I need a different rear axle and/or driveshaft? I am sure I will have more question but this will be a good start.

If you decide to put a V8 in this truck you will have to remove the stock steering box and column and go with some other arrangement. An SBC will not fit in place with the steering box in the stock location.

"independent suspension" ?? Stock steering box ??

Another option could be a later inline Chev, 230-250ci and bolts up to an automatic. No steering interference!

S10 axle will hold up just fine. You will find that any engine you install other then a 235 will have a low mount water pump. This places the fan blades below the bottom tank of the radiator. If you raise the engine to center the fan, you then will need a hump in the floor to clear the transmission. If you choose to alter the floor, your pedal arrangement will need altered some. Before making any drastic moves, set in the truck for a while and get a feel for the lay out. Think about pedals, steering wheel, gear shift, and seats, and try to imagine setting there for a couple hours of driving.
I added a hump in the floor of my '37 which moved the throttle pedal, which then moved the brake pedal. I now have one foot on each side of the steering column and wish I would have done it differently and kept the stock pedal locations.

Theres plenty to think about when swapping parts, so think ahead before moving ahead.

At this point the only original parts of the truck are the frame and sheet metal. the independent suspension was done at a shop and as for the steering, the steering wheel from the s10 was put in. The truck currently has a 1992 2.8l and t5 transmission in it. The original plan was to use the 2.8l and put a carb and mechanical distributor on it but I can't find anyone that makes a mechanical distributor for that year. the truck also has power steering on it. There is also the problem that the steering shaft sits right next to the exhaust so custom headers will have to be made unless I somehow fix the steering shaft or move the engine forward.

I could get a 1984 long block of the 2.8 and get the appropriate parts but from everything I've been reading, the 2.8l would be a bad choice to power this truck. I am hoping to use this truck as a daily driver when the weather is nice out. I plan to be picking up about 600-800 pounds of feed or running to the store to pick up sheets of plywood.