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| | | | Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 37 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 37 | I have a stock 1949 1/2 ton truck and thinking about putting a chevy 350 in it and wondering if it would be too heavy for the original frame or if i had to make any changes to the frame and what the best suggestions were | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | You may not beleive this, but the 350 is going to be about 150 pounds lighter than the 216 that came out. The original frame will handle the V8 just fine. The real problem is going to be the steering box, which is a very tight fit depending on what manifolds you use.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 37 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 37 | Do you have suggestions on the manifolds/headers to use? And what is your opinion on transmission to use on a 350, kinda wanted a manual, but may consider a automatic
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 | Your bigger concern (as far as the different engine) should be the increased torque of the modern V8. Since it's a 350 it should be fine, but this is why people box the old frames when they update them. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,923 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,923 | The weight reduction is going to make the nose higher than it was, empty fender space above the front tires, etc. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | On the trucks I've been involved with a V8 swap in to, there really wasn't any signifigant difference in the ride hight after the swap. As far as boxing goes, unneccessary on a street truck with stock suspension. I helped a guy put a pretty wild 355 smallblock in a '49, we had more problems with getting it to hook up than any frame twist issues. Now, if you were racing it or maybe installing an IFS, I could see boxing it. Getting the engine placement and steering box clearance are the #1 issues with doing this swap. On the last one I was involved in, we used a set of Rams Horns cast iron manifolds, and still had to move the steering box to get them to clear. I have heard that the steering box for a '57-'59 will bolt up in the stock location, and clear the engine, but can't confirm that.
As far as using a manual, I see no problem with it. We ran an SM420 behind that 355, it worked just fine.
Bill Burmeister
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