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#27602 07/02/2004 6:26 PM | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 42 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 42 | I bet that this has been covered before, but I'm not sure how to do a search. At any rate, I now have a 54 Chevrolet 3100. None of the drive train is stock. It presently has a straight 6, and I want to replace that with a small block, Chevy 350, 4 bolt main. Are there any simple, "bolt on" kits available as far as motor mounts? If not, what do I have to do, and does it involve major modifications? Any advice on how to best and most easily accomplish this will be appreciated.
Also, mechanics tell me that the present Chevrolet 3 speed standard transmission (linkage is 3 on the tree) will bolt right up to the engine---but i may eventually want to swap out an automatic in the near future. Any special provisions that I need to do now for that possible eventuality? wjb | | |
#27603 07/02/2004 11:01 PM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 | Go searching the aftermarket suppliers for the kits. My "Brothers" catalog offers the engine and trans. crossmembers. There are so many parts suppliers for the A.D. truck that shopping around really pays off. What I did when I got started is, subscribe to a truck magazine like "Custom Classic Trucks" or "Classic Trucks" and start ordering catalogs. Many online suppliers offer catalogs too. You can buy almost anything for an AD truck, so good luck,
Scott | | |
#27604 07/02/2004 11:43 PM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 219 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 219 | I wouldn't wait to do the trans at a later date.
You've already got the engine out. Why not get the kit with the front engine saddle mount & trans crossmember, and, do all the mods while you have the room to work. TH350's or 400's are plentful & cheap. Why do the work twice. Just my thoughts on this. Good luck with the swap!!
JS | | |
#27605 07/03/2004 8:25 PM | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 42 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 42 | Scott and JS---Thanks for the input. I'll start getting those catalogs now---but, same question if anyone knows---Will I have to do much modification to install the 350, or hopefully, are there any "bolt on" kits that I can use?
Thanks again. wjb | | |
#27606 07/03/2004 8:38 PM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 | I've installed a 350 into my '48 1 1/2 ton. There wasn't anything too hard to make or modify, but there is alot of fab work even using upgrade kits. I didn't use any kits so the engine cross member was the hardest thing to fab. A lot of little things to do that takes time. I used exhaust manifolds, so I had to "clearance" the right one. Had to make my own throttle cable set-up and make the brake pedal clear the left exhaust manifold. Also had to find the correct bell housing for the small block and it still required some modification. My suggestion would be to pull the front clip and make plenty of room to work and attack each problem as it comes.
Scott | | |
#27607 07/04/2004 3:03 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 | I like the idea of a SBC in the truck with the stock front axle however I have been warned about steering box/exhaust manifold clearances. Someone suggested manifolds from a 265 where one dumps out the front and I saw a set at a swap meet at a good price. Someone else said no because it does not work. The box may have to be moved and this makes me wonder if that would affect the linkage geometry. | | |
#27608 07/04/2004 4:29 AM | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 398 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 398 | There are several types of mounting kits out there. Probably the easiest type to use would be the ones made out of round tubing, with mounting plates which bolt to the inside of the framerails. Chevy Duty and I'm sure several others offer this kit. In fact, if you have a local "speed and performance" shop, you could likely get one there. It would be called a "universal street rod engine mounting kit." I thought there was a blurb in the Tech Tips section here awhile ago which detailed some of the issues of performing the V-8 to AD swap, couldn't seem to find it earlier today. However, there was an article written up for Hot Rod or Rod and Custom back in the seventies called "V-8 Juice For Your Stovebolt" which detailed this exact swap. It's floating about in a few places on the 'Net. You might want to check out the technical section at: www.chevytrucks.org Hope all goes well with your project! Keep us posted.  Regards, Wannabe
"Don't expect anything and you'll never be disappointed"
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#27609 07/06/2004 5:41 PM | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 398 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 398 | WHOOPS!! Found it here at The'Bolt, just didn't look hard enough...  www.stovebolt.com/faq.html#manifold Info which might help as well.  Regards, Wannabe
"Don't expect anything and you'll never be disappointed"
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#27610 07/07/2004 4:45 AM | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 42 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 42 | Thanks fellas: I'll probably have a bunch more questions----but that manifold answer is a big help. Appreciate it. wjb | | |
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