The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 194 cu in tranny conversion on 1932 pickup

I'd like to change out the tranny and rear end in my 1932 194 cu in pickup. does anyone know what later model trannys will fit the 194? or will a 235 bell housing fit the 194? or will a T5 bold up?
as you can see, I'm open to lots of ideas..
thanks

I think you have a very unique question here. usually the question is how to fit a 235 to the old drive train. You may be the first at trying to do this.

1932-36 pass use the same bolt pattern.
1931-47 truck uses the same bolt pattern as 32-36 pass.
A T5 would need an adapter to bolt up.

Not many here working on someting that early.

I think you need to change bellhousings to support a later transmissions, to a '48 or later, but I don't actually know that the later bell will fit a '32 motor.

Those early motors don't make a lot of power and aren't as stout, so hoping one up enough to challange a T-5 isn't likely.

If a '48 or later bellhousing fits the motor it will adapt the T-5 to your truck. Then you need to deal with mounting and clutch issues and probably others.

I'm sorry I don't know details. The earliest truck I've pulled apart was a '41 and that was in the early 70's so my memory of it isn't strong. I once owned a '36 car, but never had the motor or transmission out of it.

The bellhousing to engine bolt pattern if different than 216-235.

There are a lot of 4 cylinder Chevs and Model A with T5s so it can be done, just $.

If pre '68 dave's info is correct, Buffalo Steve can make an adapter to go between the bellhousing and transmission. Clutch choices might be seriously limited. I do imagine the swap would be similar to swapping a T5 in a deco truck. There are some great writeups on the deco truck swap in the tech section. I have never had a 32 truck, and have never compared the transmissions with the deco trucks, so my info is not 1st hand.

The big problem in going T5 to me is, 1932s have mechanical brakes. If you are going open drive and a T5 you are going to need juice brakes. You are opening a BIG can of worms.

thanks guys
part of the reason I want to swap trannys in this old truck is to get rid of that old rear end and put a later chev rear, with juice brakes. the old 194 engine runs great and I want more gears and a different diff so I can cruise around without wrapping that old babbit rod engine too much. Im not interested in "challenging" the t5. I have been reading the tech info but as you say.. its about adapting to a 216 or 235. NOT a 194. Maybe I'll try and find this "buffalo Steve" person and see what he knows about an adaptor plate. worms dont scare me, even out of the can! haha
thanks again!

His ad is on the inliners.org site. But I've seen him places like Hot Rod Arama in Tacoma or the Harvest Swap Meet in Canby Oregon. However he doesn't wear a sign...

Buffalo Enterprises
25625 Dahl Road, Arlington, WA, 98223
(360) 652-7684

thanks!

talked with buffalo steve.. he's never done one of these old rigs.. seem to be breaking new ground here..