The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop V-8 with stock steering - questions

I'm sure it's been discussed but one more time please.....I'm considering putting a small block in my 51 1/2ton. Does the steering box have to be moved??? Is there someone who makes the engine mounts that offset the engine or offset the box?

How about a big block? I've had one in another 51 but it also had a Camaro sub frame.

Thanks,
Tom

I just saw it mentioned that a '55 265 left manifold will clear without moving the steering box. This is second hand info,but sounds like it'll work to me. (If you can find 'em,it might be good to go with a set from a '55,just for synchronicity. {balance})
For a bigblock,I think the subframe is a better idea.
Speed

Tom,

check out this website...I checked it myself and it works...

http://www.speedprint.com/Deves50/doc/v8stovebolt.pdf

Thanks for posting that link.
Bill

There is lots of good info on that over and above the part on steering.I used that method to move my box out 1 3/4". I don't have an arc welder though so for the top plate I added the width of the frame under the original bolting place of the box and bolted the plate to the frame. It worked excellent.
Lothar

A Chevy 350 cleared my stock steering on my 55 2nd series.

Well, my next truck will either already be converted or a 55 2nd series or newer. Now I know why I stuck with 55-57 chevies cars all these years , they make working on them a picknick compared to my 53 AD. I think it will be wirth it once every think is finished though.

Has any one ever used the Turbo 350 side mounts for 55-57 pass cars? They work excellent in those cars, so I eyeballed them up in my 53. They looked like they would work perfect, all you'd have to do is drill holes in the crossmember(you cut the center section out of it and weld it back in 2" lower.Then all you'd need is the 57 front mount system and a simple cross member.You wouldn't need the trany mount then because you have a side/front mount system.