The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop will a 305 bolt up?

My 216 is junked out and I have a 305 I'd like to put in my '50 3100. Here is the question. Will the 305 (1995) bolt up to my old 216 bell housing so I can keep my old foot starter and the rest of the old drivetrain? Thanks guys you all have been a huge help on this truck!!!!

no.a 235 might.

The 305 won't fit that bellhousing.

You should be able change bellhousings to get that motor in front of the existing transmission. Since the foot starter mounts on the bellhousing and operates the 6-volt thype starter, I don't know of a way to keep the existing foot starter with a V-8.

There is no reason you can't mount a switch on the floor that would operate the starter.

You can use the bellhousing from a '55 to '67 (about) V-8 powered truck, or '63 to whatever six powered truck to adapt the 305 to your existing transmission. However, the mounting pads on the transmission will not match the existing crossmember. You could swap to a '54 or '55 1st crossmember.

I believe there is some trick to making the clutch linkage work, but I don't remember what it is.

And of course you'll have the common exhaust manifold steering box issue...

Maybe they make an adapter plate, or you could make one or have one made.But it won't fit as is.

as you know it by naw it will ot just be a bolt up if you whant to keep the foot starter for Looks well on thing you can do and this is what i did in my 53 is put a posh buttin swich thant looks simaler to the foot starter.

Thanks for the replies.

Never easy on these things is it.

Anyone know of somebody that might sell an adapter that would let me do this? Or will a 235 bell housing with a foot starter work and let me keep the foot starter?

The 235 bellhousing won't work with a V-8, you woulb have to have a plate made to adapt it to the 305. I don't think that the starter would work with the 305 flywheel any way. You may be able to make a foot operated switch using a transmission mount type switch that some old tractors use. Try looking at the nearest Tractor Supply, they carry parts for old tractors.

The transmission mounted switch is a great idea! Thanks

So lets forget about the old 216 bell housing.
How can I put the 305 in this truck and keep the old tranny and driveline?

Start by reading my post above.

Probably the '55-'67 V-8 bellhousing would be a good start. If you go that route, '55-'59 low cab forward trucks had V-8's as standard equipment. Be cautios with '57-'59 models, some had Buick Nailheads in them and are not interchangeable with the small block Chevy.

Sorry, if I could only read!

How far off will the transmission mounts be?