The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Can I cram a '77 into a '39?

Still a newbie here. I've got this '39 that needs reborn in the worst way. I've been doing the normal dream thing, trying to decide what to do with it. Initially, I had hope of a 302 w/4sp, and a few other improvements. Then, the other day, I'm settin' at the stop sign, waiting to make a turn, and there it sat. 1977 1/2 ton long bed chevy with 350/350, PS PB etc. Hmmm..
Well $300 later it's in my driveway. I figger, this way I can drive the motor for a while to work out the "kinks" before it drops into the '39. Then I think, can the tranny go in too? and the steering column? and the some power steering stuff? and maybe cut the bed floor down to put in the bottom of mine? and.... How far can I go with this? Unfortunately, you could throw a cat threw the bedsides and it wouldn't even scream, but the mechanical parts seem good. What do ya think?

Ductape -- the short answer is that you can do anything with a big enough hammer or enough cash.

The other answer is that this thread might be better off in the engine and driveline forum

Regards,
John

Hey ductape, would you be interested in getting rid of any parts off that '77 if you still have it?

Sure, I've still got it. This wasn't intended to be a "driveline" question. It is an "anything and everything off another vehicle" question. Guages, wheels, wiring harness, anything to save a buck. I guess John Milliman is right though....with a big enough hammer. I was wondering just how much made sense to move over, and how much I should just look elsewhere for. It started with the motor thing, and then it grew, 10 sizes, plus two!

Well I don't want to sound like a pre-Christmas Grinch, but you're talking about a lot of work here.

And its not just the parts swapping you are talking about, but fully answering your question...

The challenge with a general question like this is that most people who might respond only know part of the answer at best. You might do better to ask specific questions in forums where the people who know are likely to be watching.

Mounting the 350/350 combo in your '39 isn't a real big trick. The most challenging part if the steering box/exhaust interference issue.

However there are power steering conversions for '47-'59 trucks that use the steering box from your '77 parts truck. You might be able to find a similar kit for a '39, or perhaps adapt the later kit to the '39? Converting to power steering that way fixes the exhaust interference problem.

The power brakes on the '77 proably use a firewall mounted vacuum booster. If so the booster is too large to mount under the floor on the '39 and would be ugly mounted on the '39s firewall.

The track width on both ends of the '77 are too wide to fit easily under the '39. Takes a huge hammer to make them work...

As for the bed floor, ask in the body work forum. For the guages and wiring harness, drop those questions over in electrical.

Good advice OldSub. Gives me a place to start. Thanks

I have a 327 /350 combo in my '40 - fits well. Need custom motor mounts, and transmission support - not a big deal to get fabbed up.