The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1953 chevy drivetrain

How hard would it be to put an engine, automatic transmission, and rear end from a 53 chevy car into a 48 chevy 1/2 ton?

Thanks

Kind of a neato idea

The wheelbase and tread width dimensions are very similar between the 2 vehicles. The '53 engine used sidemount engine mounts but you might be able to just drill the holes in the front engine plate (there's a tech article here that shows how) or change out the front plate for an earlier one. You'll probably have to fab up a tranny cross member too. The benefits would be a full-pressure 235, auto tranny, and 3:55 rear gears. It won't be a go-getter off the line but should be a reliable cruiser.

I thought this was a interesting idea when I noticed the 53 chevy on craigslist. It is a complete car with the hydromatic (?) transmission.

I wondered if this has the open drive shaft and if it would be set up so the entire rear could be switched out with a 47-53 3100.

Fun idea

About 40 years ago I pulled the Powerglide engine out of my 1953 Chevy car and dropped it into my "new to me" '51 Suburban. It dropped right in, and the front plate was already punched for the motor mounts. Don't know if this was typical.

The 53 chevy car had the enclosed driveshaft - both the standard tranny and the powerglide model

Hope this helps.

Kurt

If it is an original Chevrolet car 1953 engine and transmission, it would be a 2-speed Powerglide transmission and a high-pressure 235 engine. The rear axles would have 5 wheel-lugs in the car (6 lugs in the truck)

The only domestic small truck that used a hydra-matic (not "hydro") transmission (4-speed) in 1953 was a GMC truck. There would have been an enclosed driveshaft on the 1/2 ton and a short enclosed driveshaft fitting on long-beds and on 3/4 ton and 1 ton GMCs (in '53).

Well, first lets talk frame. You will almost definately need to fabricate your motor mounts, transmission crossmember, wiring, etc. Take measurements. Now you need to figure out what motor you are putting in this thing. Are you going for something out of a barracuda, mustang, gto, bel air, etc.? Are you going to have to swap out the axles? How are you going to connect that driveshaft to the rear axle? How do you plan on working with the wiring harness? Are you going to try and connect the truck wiring harness to the car engine, or are you going to put the wiring harness in the truck that came out of the car? Please give us more info. But hey, if you think you are up to the challenge, go for it! I am thinking about putting a 2WD, manual transmission, 12 Valve Cummins Diesel engine in a 1955 Chevy 6400. Good luck!

Truthfully. I was fishing to see what could be used.

I thought it would be neat to buy the car and use the engine (if good) or use my current 52 216 - or put the transmission behind a rebuilt 235. If I ever get the 235 back (story in engine section). I was dumb to go with a friendly Texan machinist. My mistake. As for the rear. I was wondering if the gearing would be better and a 4:10 (or whatever the original gearing was) or if I could use my current 53 truck enclosed rear. If this conversion would push me to use 5 lug wheels. Could I use the front end from the 53 car to keep it consistant with the rear? Maybe, I could use the cars 5 lug wheels as well.

I thought this was interesting, and use thoughts like this to keep me sane and with less stress. I also thought this may help others if they ever get an opportunity to change/combine vehicles.

Just fun dreaming

Thanks for the replies

Nothing wrong with dreaming!

It looks like we are members of the same club. I purchased someone else's project a year ago. It is a 52 3100. The engine is from a 53 car. The transmission is a 58 powerglide. The rear end that came with it is from a 68 Camaro. The engine and Trans bolt up but there is no drive shaft so far. I did not get the linkage for the shifter so that will have to be sourced. It came with a trans cross member that allows the cab to mount to the frame without interference. Motor mounts will still need to be sourced.
I have occupied myself with body work on what has proven to be a rock solid body.
I don't have any answers for you at this time but I just want to let remind you that no matter how strange that dream seems there's someone out there that is trying something weirder.
I would be interested to know how it works out for you.
Tom

Thanks Tom. I scratched the idea but it is fun to dream.

I thought it would be nice to keep it all the same - within the 47-53 timeline. I have a 48 frame and cab, 52 car engine, 54 4 speed floor shift transmission, and some bits and pieces from 50 and 53 3100s.

Gotta love your truck because we must be nuts to do this

LOL