The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1959 Chevrolet Apache. 235 & 3 speed. Engine Swap.

I just bought this pickup, and I'm planning on putting a 292 into it (from a 1965 C10).

My question is this: do I have the the later 3 speed in my Apache that will bolt up to the 292, or do I have the early one? I'm not sure what year they switched.

thanks!
- Joe

All of them will bolt up- - - - -the bellhousing-to-transmission bolt pattern is identical. The Saginaw transmission from the later models just has a synchronized 1st. gear instead of the non-synchronized low/reverse sliding gear of the earlier transmissions. It was first installed in the early 1960's IMHO. If you've got an original-equipment 3-speed, it will have the crash box 1st. gear. To make the 292 engine fit, you'll need to install the 1955-up V-8 bellhousing.
Jerry

The trans pattern switched in '47. The existing trans will work fine. You will need a V8 bellhousing ('55-'59) or a V8 or 6 cylinder bellhousing ('63-'72) in order to use the 292 in a '59. Front mounts will have to be fabricated. You will lose the stomp starter.

So, I'll need to find a V8 bell, and replace the clutch assembly. Too bad about the stomp starter, I was digging that.

At least I will not have to mess with the shift linkage.

Cool - thanks for the quick info guys.
- Joe

It's possible to rig a fake stomp starter- - - - -just fabricate some brackets, and put a push button starter switch under the original stomper pedal. The brackets would probably need to mount to the cab floorboard rather than the bellhousing like original, but it's definitely doable. Only a real expert could tell the difference without doing some investigating under the hood.
Jerry

Will the existing clutch work inside the V8 Bell?

It depends on the bolt spacing on the flywheel. The clutch disc spline will interchange, but not necessarily the pressure plate and/or throwout bearing. The clutch pedal linkage might require some modification, also.
Jerry

Thanks Jerry & Bill!

Hy SanDiegoJoe, you should be able to find a flywheel to accept your existing clutch, and all the existing clutch linkage should work without modification, if you find a 55 - 59 V8 bellhousing it should have the smaller slot for the forged throwout arm, which won't look so out of place, the newer bellhousings have a large hole for a stamped out throwout arm, but they will work, they just look odd with a narrow throwout arm in them, hope that helps.

thanks 3B...

- Joe