The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 55-62 pumpkin swap/strength

Hey everyone, I have found the site to be very helpful, and I have used the search function, so hopefully someone can help me out. I have a 51 Chevy Pickup. I am in the middle of swapping a carb'd 2004 5.3L engine into it, using the straight axle, and right now I am planning on the rearend. I have read about swapping the pumpkin from a TF pickup so that I can get an open driveline. I read Steppenwood did a great explanation of it, however it appears it has been moved, or deleted. My question is, "Is my rearend with the modified pumpkin going to be strong enough for my pretty much stock V-8? Also, are the brakes (when rebuilt) up to the task. I will definately be doing discs in the front and power brakes. I know I can get a later car rearend that will fit fairly close with modification, but it would be great if I could keep the same rearend in there, and keep my stock steel rims. Any help would be appreciated.
Corey

That rear with the updated center section will be fine for a stock V8.
The brakes when rebuilt, should be fine as well...especially if you will have discs in front. If your truck is a half ton, '51 is the first year for Bendix brakes which are a step up from the previously used Huck brakes.

Hy LB181 and guys, the rear end will be strong enough, but you will have to do something to stop the housing from rotating, welding, solid mounts, something, hope that helps.

What kind of tires are you going to use on those stock steel rims? The wheels/tires will be the most important mod condidering the other things you're doing. 2nd is the dic brakes. Next is the tranny. 5 speed or O.D. is ESSENTIAL. At this point you might decide the v-8 is not necessary. Last would be the Engine. Sounds like you went there 1st. But now you have to do all the previous to take advantage of it. My .02. Good luck!

I forgot about suspension.

Awesome, Thanks for the help guys. I guess I will be shopping for a rearend. Its pretty much too late to go back now. That engine is going in there. I know us young guys always talk about just "throwing in a V-8" and don't have any idea how all the little things add up. You really have to reengineer the whole truck. Don't worry about me jumping into the engine swap though. I have been reading here on the Stovebolt since 2000, and I didn't even have a truck. I've been eyeing my uncle's truck since 98, planning what I was going to do to it, and finally got it a year ago. I would have liked to stay with the Stovebolt, but I am looking for something I can drive on the freeway to take to work every once in a while. Sucks when you are the car guy at work, and you do everything to your car. Meanwhile, some guy spends a ton of money buying a restored Mustang, and your project sits at home. I decided to go with a 5.3L engine, got a flexplate and adaptor to mate with a lockup 700R4. I will definately have to weld on some spring perches to attach my rearend solid. Once I get working on this thing again, I will try and put some pics on the net. I am recovering from some knee surgery now, so its on hold. Thanks for all your help. Corey