The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk V-8 in 6 cyl Task Force--Pointers for buying 58-59

I'm a newbie here, first post. Please pardon any poor form.

I'm looking at 58-59's. One in particular for sale has had the 6 cylinder removed and a V-8 put in. The guy selling it said the front brake line was cut when a new cross member was welded in.

Is this normal/expected?? Sorry if this topic has been covered. I have searched where it is normal for the cross member to be added, but just wondered if the garage he had do the swap was on the up&up if they cut the brake line.

Also, what things in particular do I need to be looking for? I can handle most any mechanical things, and some fabbing, but I'm not a body man, so I will be looking at the body for the most part, but any helpful hints? For example, what parts are hard to find? Is replacement glass available if the windshield or rear window is cracked (this truck supposedly has a big rear window).

Any pointers will be appreciated, and maybe in a few days I'll be a new owner of an Apache..

R-Bo

I'd check this out carefully. The 6 & V8 used the same crossmember, just different mount location. Remember they were offered with either the 6 or 8 from the factory. The windshield can be cracked but the rear glass is tempered so it doesn't crack, it shatters into tiny pieces. Look carefully at the front bottoms of the doors for paint blisters, the floor, and the lower area of the cowl where the front cab mounts are. In short, check thoroughly.

Evan,

Thanks for the quick reply. In this post on this forum: http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin//ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=010632#000002
the following statement was made "the V8 mount kit you found is the standard thing to put in a 350, and all the suppliers have'em, so shop around - it's a crossmember that is bolted/welded in the frame rails where the 350 side mounts locate"

So I was led to believe that a crossmember is needed. I know the V-8 was offered, so I too am suspicious already, and hence seeking the wisdom of this forum.

Is the difference between a 350 (later SBC V-8) and a 283/327 (early V-8s)?? Could the 283 these guys put in it be a late-model motor? I am not a Chevy small block expert, obviously, but I would think a 283 would be an older motor.

Thanks for the pointers on potential rust areas.

R-Bo

Sorry, still trying to understand--here is a "V-8 crossmember for 47-59 truck" http://tuckersparts.com/catalog.html?Iit=123&Ict=154

When would you use this? (Sorry, just saw this ad...)

R-Bo

R-Bo, yes, that "universal" v8 tube-mount fits between the rails to allow use of the usual side mounts on later engines - the original 283 mounted on pegs off the front of the block onto brackets on the backside of the front frame crossmember, but if it had a 6, which mounted to the top of the crossmember,, it didn't have those frame brackets, so folks hafta fake it - except that the OEM style front mounts are available now, so you could easily make it right - all the 283's have the mount points on the block, most of the later small blocks did too, tho some didn't have all the holes drilled and tapped

most folks would call the aftermarket thing a "crossmember", and of course it would be "new" [not a replacement], and where it mounts there is a brake line that runs from the master cyl to the left front brake, and some of them T there to cross the front crossmember to the right wheel

so someone did what folks usually do, and was too lazy to remove/replace the brake line, the mount setup isn't uncommon, but the laziness might be

the rust spots are as Evan sez, check it over well - the glass is all easily available, except the small back window [big window is repro'd now, as is windshield]

lotsa help here for the TF series if you go for it - be sure to get some pictures, we all like pictures

Bill

Ah!! Thanks Bill, that confirms what I was just guessing.

Is this the same as "the OEM style front mounts are available now": http://tuckersparts.com/catalog.html?Iit=740&Ict=55 ???

I'll take my digital and get some shots, if it isn't the truck for me, maybe someone here might be interested.

R-Bo

Those in the photo are the factory type mounts. I have done them both ways & like the added crossmember way the best. It leaves the front of the engine open it you ever want to add power strg. or A/C. Also you have to modify the factory type if you want to use the large damper. If you want to retain the original look you may want to use the factory type. That price seems too high.
When buying one examine carefully around the lower door hinge pockets. They are prone to serious rust problems. Most have been repaired in that area but often not done right. I have a 58 now. Love it. (see photo in Gallery}