The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Newbie with a 48 Loadmaster

Aloha all,

My name is Keoni and I live in Hawaii. I just bought my 1948 Loadmaster and found your Forum, GREAT SITE!!. I have read some of the information on engines swaps and I would like to replace my 216 with a 350 just for extra power and reliability. I was wondering if anyone has put in and engine near this size and if so what adaptors I would need along with the pros and cons. I know that the brakes and such are not made do do over 50+ mph, but I really don't need to go that fast. I just want to haul dirt and stuff and be able to take the dog to the beach. Any info will be much appreciated. Again Aloha and this is an increadable web site.

Thanks,

Keoni

My new Baby! 48 Loadmaster

UR 2 Slo: i think you have a Cool truck..5 window too...You probably will have a better time putting a 235 in there..just about bolts right up...But a 350 would get you there faster..i guess..Anyway you can start your Own business with that truck,,Im sure people would talk about ya with a "different" truck on the road..A better one then they make nowadays..far as im concerned..Old Chev's like that are pretty cool....Dave

Hey Keoni,
I've done said swap to one of my 48's and it involves modifying almost every system of the truck. You'll need to change the steering and brake systems just to clear the left exhaust system of a V-8. Also, you'll need to upgrade your electrical to 12 volts and find a bellhousing,clutch parts, a new engine mount design, a good radiator, and alot of fabrication skills to make it happen. I do, however, like my Loadmaster with P/S, P/B and V-8 power to work with over my stock one. If and when you want some more details, e-mail me, it's been a while since I did the conversion so I may need to go out to the truck to see what I did to it.
Good luck which ever way you go,
Scott

Oh, BTW, welcome to the 'Bolt and nice choice of truck!
Scott

Thanks for the info guys!! I would like to do the easiest engine upgrade which I guess is the 235 way, so it sounds. Is there much to do besides the engine swap or is it just a replacement of the orriginal. I already have the 12 volt conversion done so I guess i'm one step closer. The brakes are all reworked, I have a new water pump,and carb. The only other work I have to do on it is fix some oil leaks and redo the interior.
I checked with Chevyduty.com and they said the interior cab parts wont work since it is a 1.5 ton, is this true? I thought all the cab parts were the same as the 1/2 and 3/4 ton, only the exterior parts were different.

What cab parts are you talking about? I would think that there may be some diffrences in the are of the transmission cover.

Keoni,

Wanted to say aloha yesterday but was busy with gallery submissions.

Since you are new to the Bolt, you may not know that it had it's humble (VERY humble) beginnings in Kaneohe Bay, HI. We were stationed there for three years and that's when John started this. He was suppose to be learning html in order to do a web site for the Marine Base there. So, since he had left his dear, sweet '39 back in Indian-noplace, IN ... this at least kept him in-touch with the hobby.

Welcome to the Bolt!

Aloha,
Peg

Welcome Keoni, A 261ci. Chevrolet 6 cyl., would be the way to go. A good second choice, is a 302ci. 6 cyl. GMC engine.

I see things different from most folks a lot of the time so here is my two cents worth.If your motor starts and runs good and speed is not a factor why not just fix the oil leaks and drive it. Some times you can get a lot of miles out of those old motors. You can allways do swap later.