The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Engine rebuild or upgrade

I'm new to this forum and am asking for some informed opinions and advice. I have a 53 GMC 1/2 ton 228 with hydramatic. The engine needs rebuilt. I would like to replace it with a 302. I really want to keep a six cyl and hydro.
Questions: Will a 302 fit the mounts and hydro?
Are 302s readily available?

270s and 302 can be found but they are harder to come by then 235s or 216s.

A 302 will bolt right in. If it has side mounts you will need to replace the mount plate on front to use your mounts.

Also, the 228 most likely has a 4 bolt crank and the 302 a 6 bolt. You'll need to find a 6 bolt torus cover for the Hydra-Matic.

Both these problems are easily overcome and well worth the effort.

I'm getting convinced to go with a 302 if I can find one. My 228 has the front center pad so mounting the 302 shouldn't be too messy. I hope. What is this torus cover you mentioned?

Instead of a torque converter the Hydra-Matic uses a torus. You'll have to get the Hydra-Matic experts to tell you how it works. Anyway, the cover to it mates to the crankshaft.

Here is information on the 1954 GMC Hydra-Matic. The 1953 GMC Hydra-Matic is very similar.

are you staying six volt or converting it to 12?

I would like to stay with 6 volt. The truck is totally complete with only the radio missing. The 228 is frozen and if it is not rebuildable I thought of going to a 302 for the power advantages yet maintain the same appearance to a non purist.

By easy to solve do you mean that a 6 bolt torus can be found for a reasonable price? This is my first old truck rebuild and I have soooo much to learn.
Will my newly rebuilt 228 starter fit the 302 bell housing and flywheel? Just a bunch of stuff like that.

Is your truck titled using the engine number? Many, if not most, pre '56 vehicles were. If so you'll need to re-title your truck following the swap. We got LOTS of questions about titling problems for that very reason (engine swaps without retitling). People buy a truck and can't find the "VIN" that's on the title anywhere on it.

A torus cover from a '54-55.1 248 will be 6 bolt and will mesh with a 6V starter. If you get a later cover you will need a 12V starter.

That's a good point about the title. I am in the middle of the title process now wherein a police officer has to verify the engine number. I will probably keep the old 228 around for the inspection process to validate the old title then use the new engine number on the new title.

If it were me, I'd see if you can get the Chassis Serial Number put on the title to end the problem with swapping motors and not having the title match.

Mike B