The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1946 1 1/2 ton 350 conversion help.

Hello Everyone,
First, I would like to Thank everyone for the responses when I need help. It is a great feeling!!! I would like to put a 350 and automatic transmision in my pizza truck and would love any responses and where do I begin. Jim Carter, I think has engine mounts and trans. mounts what else do I need to know and is it very hard?? Thanks again, Jack www.oldworldpizzatruck.com

Should be easy and fun if you are mechanically inclined. Start by gathering most of what you will need to do the job. You might look for simular conversions and take some pictures for yourself...even magazines are a good visual resource.

First, make sure it will fit. I'm sure it will, but make certain. Probably someone will confirm that it will. I don't think JC's mounts are for 1.5 ton frames, but I'm confident they can be made to work.

You will have to have a driveline made. Find a driveline shop and give them length (remember to provide a little play for the tranny) and identify the ends for them (TH350 to 42Chev 1.5ton)I usually take the old DL with me. This will have to be made after motor and tranny are in place so you know the length measurement.

Cooling..make sure the radiator is healthy, and you may want to upgrade to more rows and or electric fan(s). New hoses.

Wheels..don't run the old 3 piece, bias ply wheels and tires at freeway speeds. Look for some 19.5 or 22.5's and go tubeless radial.

12 volt conversion (there is a guide in this site if you need it) and a little basic wiring.

New exhaust.

Auto shifter of some sort.

Minor things like gauges made to work with new powertrain, speedometer etc.

That's my basic checklist...good luck with it. Awesome truck!

Thats it, just 1 response?? No one has done this before?? Thanks, Jack

Hey Jack,

Be patient, no doubt lots of SBC engines put into early trucks. I will be doing the same perhaps over the winter. Just picked up a '45 2Ton farm truck yesterday ($100)
I have a built-up 350 with a 350THM trans waiting for a home. Am considering a IFS and newer rear axle. To be determined.
http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz296/BAFTUB/IMG_0429.jpg
Truck now has the handle of "Gringo Loco" in honor of my loco friend Ken who brokered the deal and often goes by "Gringo". Maybe I will have advice early in new yr.

--Rick M.

It's very do-able, I have seen many V8's in the art deco pickups. But, I doubt that you will be able to purchase everything needed for the swap, and will have to resort to some fabrication. There is not as much of a selection of after market parts available for the pre '47 years (especially the big bolts).

As you progress, keep good notes, take lot's of pictures, and maybe we can do a tech article on the "Art Deco Big Bolt V8 Automatic Conversion".

Hang in there, plenty of wise "Bolters" are sure to offer advice.

John

hey Rick,
I was wondering if you ever started conversion to 350 chev. in your truck.
Thanks, Jack

Good looking truck! Is there a particular reason for wanting the 350 as a replacement engine? I believe a swap to a 292 with maybe a 700R-4 (4L-60) transmission for a little better road speed would be a wiser choice. A properly set up 292 will have similar load-pulling capacity to a stock 350 and it will be a whole lot simpler to adapt to that frame. You'll still have to fabricate motor mounts, and possibly install an aftermarket crossmember or two, but there will be a lot less hassle about steering gear clearance, etc. If you choose to run a split exhaust manifold and duals with steelpack mufflers, the sound is pretty impressive, too.
Jerry

i am putting a 350 in a 1/2 ton with a 96 s-10 frame make sure u get the motor level and yes u will have to make most of the mounts your self lockor makes a great shifter trans mounted with and e brake cable mounted to the same bracket will send u some picks of that set up tonight when i get home i love it and u will have to change radiator or add a trans cooler it is a tight fit and yes u might want to run an eletric fan and water pump

I put a 350 with a TH400 in my 1937 1.5 ton. I took the motor mounts and mounting perches off an early 80's chevy 4x4 and welded in some plate steel to make them fit. You will probably have to notch the front crossmember to make the 350 sit correctly without modifying the doghouse. And you can get the trans crossmember out of Speedway that you will need ($80). Its a universal that you can cut to fit. Just measure how much drop you will need first (when you mock it up). I went with a aluminum radiator and electric fan for cleance (not enough room to run a flex fan) and a framerail trans cooler.
Good luck!