The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Possible Swaps

Happy Easter
Planning on a frame-up resto on my 52 coe 5700 series.It is now powered by the 235 babbit bearing engine.I have heard that a rebuild of this particular engine is costly.Parts difficult to find as well as someone knowledgable enough to do the job.What other choices are out there?? Would a 261 slip right in? Are decent 261's readily available? And what about any of the GMC motors.....THANKS!!

Hello 52 COE. The 261ci. 6, would be a very good choice for your truck, & would be the easiest swap. 302ci. GMC 6, is another good choice, but would need more modifications for the swap. Got any pictures of it yet. Check out my COE's here, http://community.webshots.com/user/snubnose4754

Spanky,
Before I bought mine I did look at your website more than once.That red 51 looked sweet and I would have saved that grille guard too!
Thanks for the info regarding an engine swap. Gotta pick your brain for more though.What modifacations are needed to install a 261? Since the 54's used them are the frames and mounts the same as a 52? Trannys are the same too or am I all wet......THANKS!!

I would say that a 261, out of a '54 model would definitely be a easy swap. I pulled my '53,& '54 Chevy COE's next to each other, earlier this morning,('53 has a 235, '54 a 261) & I dont see any visable differences. Don't know about the later, 261's, all of the '55, & up trucks I've had were V-8 powered.

Spanky,
Thanks a bunch for your help!! Pics of my truck will be posted by May 1. I don't own a digital camera but all my relatives do.Would be nice to own one but I would rather spent the $$ on the parts I need.
While I'm here I'll ask your opinion on another issue with my COE.The passenger's side door is from an earlier COE.It does not have the vent window.The door is in excellent shape and wonder if converting it to the correct style for the year would be possible.Swapping from another COE would be great however finding one would seem to be one tall order.Any thoughts?? THANKS!!

Later engines and GMC's are longer, require rad relocation far as I know! Only 54 had correct waterpump length and location to drop in. You can use your orig bellhousing to match your frame x-over and mounts are same in front. You can convert your babbits to inserts, have to find right suppliers, and it is costly. www.chevsofthe40s.com does that work, and think Carter's does, and look into the www.inliners.org site for more changing info. If yours is not smoking and has fair compression, just do a tune-up and run it! Just a valve job may help, but may pull more oil then w/out more rebuilding.