The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop clutch set up for V8 swap with orig. SM420 trans

I couldn't find this information on the site so here is my question. I was talking to a machinist that builds motors professionaly. He stated that if I swapped out my 235 for V8 and kept my 4 speed granny sm420 I would have to weld some type of brackets/braces for the clutch set up. Something about welding brackets/braces to the frame for it? I did not understand all that he said; it was way over my limited mechanic skills. I know someone on this site has dealt with this before, a V8 to a sm420.

Any other info or help on the pitfalls of putting this combo together would help.

Thank you,

Dan

On a '53 the clutch has a rod type linkage. I think most V8's have a hydraulic or z-bar linkage, so you have to figure out a way to connect the clutch pedal.

Josiah,

Boy, is that what he was trying to tell me? You summed it up in one sentence and I know exactly what you are talking about. I think he tried telling me the same thing and it took him 5 minutes and I was still confused. It makes perfect sense now.

He did mention something about getting a hydraulic clutch out of a S10. He stated I would have to change out the clutch peddle. I told him that I wanted to keep the original peddle set up for the nostalgic look.

Thanks for your help.

My V-8 truck has a mid 70's bell housing. The only thing that didn't need modified was the linkage. I had to modify the mounting pad to the cross member to use that bell, but no linkage problems that I can remember,
Scott

This one is easy. I used the original stock fork, throw out bearing & linkage when I dropped a 327 & m21 4 speed in my '49. I would think it would work with a v-8 & sm420. The only problem may be finding a clutch disc with the right diamater & number of splines. Good luck.