Hello, I'm new to this forum. I live in the Kansas City area. I just purchased a 1951 chevy truck. It's a good one, but has a few bugs to work out. Right now it has what appears to be a 283 installed with the original 4 speed granny low transmission. The rear diff is possibly from a 57 chevy. All the Hubs are regular 5 bolt chevy. He truck is really low geared. I'd like to swap out to a newer 4 or 5 speed transmission and I'm not sure what to buy or where to get. I'd like to stay on the inexpensive side until I decide exactly what to do to the truck. Also the rear end is leaking badly out of the front seal, so possibly installing a new rear end might make sense. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Here is a pic of the truck. I will try to get pics of the currently installed transmission and rear end later today. Thanks in advance. TB
Welcome, TB! Nice looking ride and sporting wide whites at that! If the transmission works just fine, I would say swap out the rear end. Especially if the one in there is leaking. Since you have a 5 lug setup, you have more options to choose from. Great "Kansas" photo!
Thanks Zig! Engine Block casting # 3849852 = 57 thru 66 283 2 bolt Head # 3884520 = 60 thru 67 283/327 1.72/1.50 60cc Exhaust manifold L # 3749965 = 58 thru 63 283/327 Exhaust manifold R # 3750556 = 58 thru 65 283/327 Engine stamp ends in GX = 1966 283/327 4 BBL A.I.R. Transmission # GM 591807= Muncie SM 420 Rear end ?
Attached are some pics of the transmission and rear end. I can't find ID #s for the rear end. Notice the spray above on the wood bed from the differential.
Nice looking truck. If the transmission is operating well I would only look at a gear swap for the rear end. If you only need to stop the leak and don't know what rear it is it may require the use of a a micrometer for the shaft size and the housing. The seal is only a few dollars. Identification of the rear end for gear swap possibly the same. Check back soon and you will get more advise as to which gear ratio may work for you. You may also let everyone know how you will use the truck, off road, highway, multiple use. Mike
Welcome aboard, enjoy your ride while here. Good looking truck, talk to Joe @ DeadZoneTruckin on this site for the 355/1 gear swap out, and many other parts.
Thanks for the guidance. I plan to use the truck for cruise night, a beer run, a swap meet, special date night and general hot rodding around. I want the truck to have somewhat of an attitude, but I don't need to go over the top. I think the 283 should be enough engine. I would like to match a good transmission and rear end with the engine. I want the truck to look original in appearance except I am thinking of lowering. the lowering is a whole new topic.
Looks like a 55-64 car rear end. If it's geared real deep it probably was from a car with an overdrive transmission which was paired up with a 4.11 rear end. The easiest and cheapest would be to put a new pinion seal in the rear and replace the trans with an original BorgWarner overdrive trans that was available in the 55-72 Chevy trucks and cars. They are easy to find and fairly cheap. In overdrive your final drive ratio would be 2.88 which means that the rpms you now turn to go 50mph would have you motoring down the road at 70mph. Another perk to this is you still have the deep geared rear end for serious pulling or jack rabbit starts. The 283 won't hurt the BW but big engines with big tires will.
Tranny swap Listen to Coilover. He has decades of experience. It's his business. Also, if you decide to swap out the trans, the Muncie SM420 with open drive at the back has a serious market in the rock crawler crowd. Very desirable. Nice truck. You can upgrade it and make it very drivable on the cheap. Replace the pinion seal or have it done (not an expensive repair), swap out trans and go, baby, go! Andy
Muncie Rock Crushers Andy ; I've been hearing that jazz for 50 years now and i still can't GIVE 'em away . .
