The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop How to install a big block v8 on a 1954 chevy 1/2 ton

I have a 1954 chevy 1/2 ton pickup. It has the original 235 engine in it. I am looking to install a big block v8. a 454 hopefully. I was just wondering what all needs to be replaced in my truck for this engine to work. I know that i will have to replace the transmission and rear end and also the drive shaft. if anyone ever done this conversion please let me know how you did it and what to look for. will a 454 bolt into the engine compartment? and will there be enough clearance. everything in my truck is original. please let me know of any ideas or information on this installation. thank you

You don't need to replace the transmission if you have an SM-420 or an SM-465. Just change the bellhousing. I'd freshen up the tranny though, so that it has a chance with real torque.

The motor mount position and type is exactly the same as a small block Chevy, so the same kits will fit a BBC. It is a wider engine though, so I'm not sure about headers. You might be able to do custom headers that come out over the frame rails and into the wheel wells.

You should have adequate room under your hood for that motor though. Make sure to upgrade your radiator. Your front spring rates will be fine though, since a 235 weighs about the same as an all-iron big block Chevy.

I have the original hydramatic transmission in the truck along with the original 3.90 rear end and enclosed drive shaft.

i know the experts will chime in here but there are a lot of posts on 6 to v-8 swaps and you might want to do a search and read some of them. i know you will have problem with the stock steering column if you plan to keep it. the engine has to be moved over about one inch I think for a small block and maybe more if the 454 is wider than a small block. if you are going to go power steering, power brakes etc you might want to look at one of the ifs kits that you can buy from most of the vendors.

I've seen 454's in AD trucks, lots of people have done it. I've not seen one that used the original steering, and I would bet that would be a big problem.

I'm putting a 454 in my '54, but I'm using a Monte Carlo IFS and a modern automatic, so my situation is quite a bit different.

If you want to go with an automatic I think you'll have to replace that Hydromatic.

I wanted to check in with you to see how your 454 engine swap went. I have a 1954 Chevy 3805 1 ton that I want to install a 454 bb in. I have a few challenges I am coming across and wanted to ask if you could give some pointers.
Currently, I am having the engine bored 30 over and am going to rebuild the engine with new ... well, it be easier to tell you what isn't new actually. I'd like to know how well your install went. Maybe you can get into how you overcame the steering obstacle (particularly if you went with a power steering option), what you did for the suspension system, whether you had space problems due to the width of the engine, and how you may have overcame the exhaust manifold problem (interfering the the steering).

I will be pulling the body off the chassis this weekend. I am getting the engine back in July. If you can provide any kind of guidance, I would be most grateful.
Thank you.

54panel trucker,

you have replied to a 14 year old post...not much chance you will get an answer on his install. Feel free to look through the current posts. For 454 info, you may have better luck in the HiPo (high performance ) forum.
Good luck!
Jon

Its been 5 years since the thread starter has logged in to Stovebolt.

Thanks Jon and Martin. There are quite a few challenges and I am really hoping to take advantage of other's experiences. I will look in the HiPo as you stated.
Best regards to you!