The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Repowering COE

Happy for all the feedback on the diesel thread. Still gathering information.
Thought I would ask this differently:
Who has repowered a 47-53 COE with a "modern" engine (client's word)of any kind? and what has anyone seen anything that fits without frame cutting or extensive modification to the cab?

OK, That's what I was afraid of. It seems that virtually all of the repowering has been done to conventional cab trucks, or COE cabs on custom frames. That's what I've found else where on the internet.

I've seen some with engine behind cab.
Don't see a lot of COEs to start with, so not seeing the exact conversion you want already done doesn't mean it can't be done or you can't make it work. I couldn't find mention of a single 53 series Detroit swapped onto an AD before starting on mine. Now several have come from behind and beat me to the finish line..

A modern V8 is not as tall as a 6. , so will fit under doghouse on COE, if the noise is tolerable. Moving it back into bed area is another option, but infringes on bed.

Ed

I didn't think it was going to be easy, just hoping there was a knowledge bank to draw on. And the "quiet" restriction doesn't help with the diesel option.
I personally like the early small block option. Both the Chevy and Ford's will fit pretty well (if you count clearances in fractions of inches). After all, the ford COE's are just as tight and they has flathead V-8 since the 30's.
Everything since the real small blocks have a shallower V and bigger heads so the engine is actually much wider.
I have a Chevy LS block, heads, and a 4l80E transmission all made out of plastic to work out the fitting. Bolted on Corvette exhaust manifolds.
Had to move it so far back before it would fit between the frame rails and cab frame, that the front of the engine is behind the transmission cross member and the back of the block is sticking out behind the back of the cab.
With a 283 V-8 and 4 speed with PTO, the original bellhousing mounts are used and the engine is almost a perfect fit for the floor hatches. The only problem is the rear mounted distributor. Had to cut the floor away into the seat riser. Problem solved with a Ford 302 with front mounted dist.
So far that isn't "modern" enough, but I'm working on it.

Jim;

Just a thought about your comment on the rear distributor on SBC's. I think during the 90's the LT1 motors in Corvettes had front mounted distributors/ignition. That may help your cutting and fitting plans and keep it all Chevy.

SimS

You are correct about the distributor. One of the things that was under consideration was a brand new LT1 crate for the C7 (no distributor at all). However all the engines share the same block configuration as the LS with different heads and manifolds.
That's the reason for the mockup engine.

OK, decision has been made.
The primary choice is the Cummins R2.8 repower kit. Managed to pry loose just enough information to be 90% certain it will fit.

If Cummins stumbles and doesn't release the kit on time ( First Quarter '17), 5 weeks max, then the Plan B will be the Boss 302 290/300hp.

Now the work schedule can be planned around waiting for final engine information.