My truck had a non running Cadillac 390 in it when I got it. I’ve been considering the idea of going back to a stock drivetrain. I saw this motor and trans on Craigslist. The ad says it’s a 54 but doesn’t say whether it’s from a car or truck. Just by looking at the pic, does anyone know if this would bolt right into my 1950 truck? Or would I still need to find mounting plates and do a bunch of mods to make this motor and trans work? Thanks for any info.
hi 49shep, i think the folks on the forum will want more information about your truck, like the model and options it currently has. do you know what transmission model you currently have and which style you are going for? (column or floor shift?)
the photo appears to have a transmission set up for column shifting, others maybe able to figure out more about the motor from that angle, i'm not well versed on the small external details to tell you anything about it.
I would ask more questions before buying it, if that is a 216 from a car you probably don't want any of it.
i suggest finding someone with a nearly identical truck so you can take a look in person how it should all fit and look like, or go to a wrecking yard and take many photos. study the parts and assembly manuals until you are intuitively familiar with all the parts you need so that you can recognize them a mile away.
i recommend a 235 with a floor shifting sm420 transmission. -s
You've got an odd assortment of parts there, from different years of cars or trucks. The bellhousing is from a 1953 or earlier truck, and it's bolted to a 1954 or newer 235 (or maybe 261) engine. The trans is a 3 speed Muncie with a floor shift conversion, or at least part of it, for an open driveline vehicle. It would be a beginning for a conversion back to "original" but unless you can hear the engine run, don't give more than "rebuildable core" price for that assembly. I'd guesstimate a maximum offer of around $250.00 if I were buying it for myself. Your 1950 would have had a 216 engine and an enclosed driveshaft transmission, so that assembly would not be "original" but it would get you back to an inline six. 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!
Thank you. My truck is a 1950 3100. The whole driveline, rear end, all linkage is all gone. I got my truck for free so it was a good deal.... it has a 1960 Cadillac 390, hydramatic transmission and I’m pretty sure Cadillac rear end. The whole install was a total butcher job so it all has to be redone anyways. I guess you could say I have a blank canvas. The ad does say it’s a 235. I think my fear is that I would get nickled and dimed to death trying to go back to stock. In the end I just want a nice running truck without spending gobs of money or doing major fabrication. I suppose the easiest thing would be to find a running small block Chevy and turbo350 but that sounds kinda boring....
I would think out your way a complete 1950ish 3100 complete drivetrain front bumper to rear bumper would be fairly easy to find with all the low rider and custom stuff going on. Spread the word and I bet one will pop up.
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)
Find some dummy who's swapping stovebolt sheet metal onto an S-10 frame or doing something equally retarded, and buy the whole rolling chassis he's about to send to the scrappers. There should be quite a few of them just waiting to be rescued from the metal buzzards! I just bought a 51 GMC 1/2 ton rolling frame that way, with a 270 engine and a SM 420 trans, all for $300.00. 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!
Good idea. Ok, I’ll keep my eyes open. I just saw that ad and wanted to know if it’s something I should jump on. Doesn’t sound like anything special, he wants $1300 for it. Keep in mind though, everything out here is expensive. I can’t find anyone to blast my frame and cab for less than $1000. Hope I didn’t offend anyone with my comment on the Chevy small block....
Of course you did! But we’ll let it slide this time.
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)
That's why we call 'em "belly buttons"- - - - -everybody's got one! I'd spend a lot of time and effort, and a moderate amount of money, putting that 390/Hydramatic in working condition if the truck was mine. Actually, I do have one- - - -I'm just looking for something appropriate to put it into. Maybe the Excalibur roadster somebody gave me??????? 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!
That's why we call 'em "belly buttons"- - - - -everybody's got one! I'd spend a lot of time and effort, and a moderate amount of money, putting that 390/Hydramatic in working condition if the truck was mine. Actually, I do have one- - - -I'm just looking for something appropriate to put it into. Maybe the Excalibur roadster somebody gave me??????? Jerry
Ok ok, you’re talking me into it. Don’t you have to wear a coat made of Dalmatians to drive an Excalibur??
"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!
Hey, it would be a nice addition to the fur seal jacket I've got in the closet! LOL! 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!
