The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop engine swap into 54'1 ton

I have a 4.3tbi 5spd that I want to put into
a 54' 1 ton Canopy Express.
The motor came out of an Astro.

Has anybody tried this swap before ??

Any problems with clearance ??

chnaus

I've seen a 4.3 under the hood of a 1/2-ton. Under the hood there is not a lot of difference between the trucks so it should be very similar.

The 4.3 is shorter than a small block V-8 but just as wide. I would expect interference between the exhaust manifold and the steering, but I'm just guessing.

You might consider using a '55 to '62 truck V-8 type bellhousing because it will fit your crossmember. Doing so might put the HEI too close to the firewall though.

I haven't done this swap, but there are the first issues I think of, I hope it helps.

I'd hate to see an original 1-ton Canopy Express get hacked up. Those trucks are very rare.

I am on your side 4onthefloor.
If it won't bolt in it won't be done.
Its geared for stump pulling and I would
like to drive it for a few years before
a complete a restoration that will render
it to a trailer only mode.
The GVW of the Astro rear axle is slightly
more than the 54'empty weight.Wheelwell
clearance is ok with altered 16" wheels.The
spring ctr/ctr is 7" wider on the Astro.

OldSub: is that bellhousing the one with the
angled surfaces that mate to the motor mount??

CH yes it sounds like you have identified the correct bellhousing. The car one is slightly different but the truck one is supposed to bolt in. I don't recall what the clutch linkage ends up like.

With that bellhousing and a V-8 type bolt in crossmember you could mount that 4.3 and use your original transmission if you liked.

You are still going to have an exhaust/steering box problem and that's where the 'hacked up' issue becomes problematic. Either you move the steering box out or convert to a later box placed in front of the axle. The modifications start to sound serious...

Rear gears are something like 5.14 if I remember correctly. I have a 1-ton with a 3.70 14-bolt GM axle under it. The guy who sold it to me said the tired 216 would no longer move a load after the gearing change.

If you are going to run it with that T-5 you won't dare want to carry any load in it, that transmission is not designed for serious stress.

OldSub, my second power option would be a 250
from a 75'with a backdated intake.
Will that drop right in ??
chnaus

chnaus,

There is a 4.3 that will "drop right in" - a 54-62 261 straight six.

How far are you from Albany?

Tim

the 250 is a nice choice, if your interested i can sent you a email picture of a 250 in a 54 1/2 ton if i knew how to post it here i would. if your going with the manual trans use a 55 and up v8 bellhousing that will bolt to the 250 and your x member without modification [email protected]

Drop right in is limited to the early Chevy sixes like the 235 and 261. Almost drop right in are the GMC sixes like the 270 and 302.

After that the least modifications are probably the later inline sixes like the 250.

An inline six means you don't have to modify the steerng. That's likely to allow the least distruptive swap and mean it will be easiest to restore or at least make look stock.