The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 49 truck to 50 car

I have a 49 1/2 ton all original with blown engine and rear end that makes my rpm's scream at 50mph. I have a chance to buy a 50 chevy car, has great engine good trans and doesn't seem to run up rpm at high speed. body is rust bucket but would it be possible to use engine and rear-end on my 49 truck? Would appreciate any advice or sugestions on theis.

To use the car rear end, you have to use the whole deal, axles and all. Before you do much, you might want to verify that the car rear end is a lower gear ratio. Up here in Canada, our cars generally had a 4.10 in the rear, so no advantage.

The standard car and 1/2 ton truck rear end in 1949 was 4.11.
There was an optional 3.73 car rear end in 1949 - the 1/2 ton truck did not have an optional rear end.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/4924.htm

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/4973.htm

The car wheels/axles were 5-bolt and the truck were 6-bolt. Jim Carter used to have a tech tip on doing this swap. I dimly recall that he suggested using earlier car 6-bolt axles. Maybe someone will confirm that the torque-tubes are same/different lengths?

Sounds like I may not help myself with changing out rear end but what about the engine is it a straight swap or or will there be a major motor mount problem?? Will I need just engine or engine and trans. Appreciate any advice..

The 50 car engine will easily go right in your 49 truck. You may/will have to drill the bottom of the front engine mount:
See page 3 of this link. Lots of useful info here!!

Also a 49-54 car transmission will not fit your 49 truck bellhousing: different bolt pattern.

Oh, btw: the optional car rear end in 49-52? was 3.70, not 3.73. The 50-54 PowerGlide axle was 3.55. There is a tech tip on Stovebolt about using a car axle in an AD 1/2-ton but it looks like a lot of work.

I have a 52 car 216 in my 48 3100. You will have to drill the front mount but that is not a problem

1949 car, optional rear end - looks like it was 3.73
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/4924.htm

When u made your swap, other than drillins new hole did everything else bolt up? Any problem with trany or linkage? Don't mean to sound too dumb but really inexperienced n this phase of the game. Thanks so much for any help.

You're right Tim. I stand corrected. I got confused with the 3.70 axle becoming the standard ratio in 53 for all but 1508 sedan delivery. I should have double-checked my facts. Thanks.

Sorry to side-track this thread.

You may have to use your current truck bell housing. I can't remember. But other than that, it is the same.

Oh. And my car engine has the key starter. I like it better

Best of luck