The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts V8 in 1953 Chevy Model 6400

I have a 53 model 6400. I would like to change the motor to maybe a Chevy 350 Cubic Inch V8. I'll admit I'm about as dumb as a rock about this. Is it possible to do that and still use the original 4 speed transmission? Any help would be appreciated.

Why not go with a Chevy 261ci. inline 6 cyl., or a GMC 302 6 cyl. A V8, is not always, the best way to go.

There is a 6400 in my neighborhood that has a 350 and the original 4-speed. Ugliest most hacked-up swap I've ever seen.

There is a 4400 I see at local shows that is a 350 (actually a little bigger stroker motor) with the original 4-speed. It was done nicely and seems a very usuable truck.

If your level of experience is low, I'd suggest staying with an inline six. Some of the problems associated with a V-8 swap just go away completely, and unless you change the rear-end and upgrade the brakes the potential additional power isn't going to be of any use.

Spanky suggested a 261 Chevy or 302 GMC. I'd include the GMC 270 also, because its easier to find than a 302, externally identical, and for any practical purpose probably as powerful.

The advantage of these motors is that they fix your existing bellhousing, and with only minor modifications will also fit the front motor mount. The other issues, wiring and throttle linkage and such will be easy.

The next choice would be the more recent (relatively) Chevy sixes like the 250 or 292. A little more complicated to install, and require a different bellhousing and mounts both front and reat. However, you don't have problems with the steering like you do with a V-8.

V-8 swap can be done keeping the 4-speed, but you'll be changing lots of stuff. Its been done and I might do it on one of mine, but its not a beginner project...

Spanky and Steve: Thanks for the quick reply,and the information. I have a friend helping me with the body work, and we are almost finished with that. It has been done right with all rusted metal replaced: New floor, new cab corners, new rockers, new metal in the doors, New glass, etc. Somewhere along the line the motor has been replaced with a later model 235. I have that out to be rebuilt now, but am having some problems. According to the mechanic, the crankshaft had too much end play. It appeared to be the wrong shaft for the block. He had another motor on hand and he took the crank from that one, had it turned and put it in, only to find that the fly wheel would not fit on that crank. Seems odd to me, but I'm not very well informed about these things. So, I thought if we can't get this to work, maybe I would go with a newer more powerful motor. When were the 302 GMC and the 270 GMC built. I wonder if they are new enough that someone like Jasper Motors would have a crate motor? They do not have the 235.

Check out, www.oldgmctrucks.com , join the Discussion Boards page. A guy on there, had Jasper Engines, rebuild a 261, for him. Read all about it, in the, Technical Stuff, catagory, under, "New motor transplant". If you have trouble finding it, Click into, "Find", & type in "New motor transplant".

Spanky: Thanks again. I'll check it out.

When you're done doctoring up a 6 cyl then you'll say "Dang I could have had a V-8" There is no replacement for displacement, especially when it comes to a big heavy truck. They only used the technology they had available at the time...why ignore the last 50 years of improvements? A V-8 swap is very easy in my opinion. You could probably just buy a Chassis engineering 6" drop engine crossmember and drop a smallblock right in. I'd be willing to bet you could build a heck of a 350 for the cost/build of a GMC 302. Just my 2 lincolns...later

Dave

Dave: You could very well be right, but it is probably beyond me to do it. I'm capable of doing some simple repairs, and some body work, but when you get into complicated mechanical changes, I can get lost pretty quickly. If I were to do it, it would need to be a simple process, whereas if I can get a 6 that will bolt right in, I can handle that. Allen