Okay everyone, I'm getting closer. My '55 first series has a '54 running gear with torque tube. No engine yet, but it has a 3 speed column shift trans still attached to the tube. Last night, I took a very long drive into the next state and took the flywheel, bell housing, clutch assembly, and 4-speed floor shift trans from a '49. I still don't have my shop manuals yet (they are on order). My question is; can I switch the trannys? I would really like to use the four speed. What is involved in doing the switch? I have never worked on a torque tube setup before and like I said, I don't have my manuals yet. Also picked up a rebuilt 848 head last night as well from same guy. It has been on the shelf for a while, so is showing some scale or surface rust, but really light. New valves, guides, seals when rebuilt, but who knows how long ago. I hear that this is a very desirable head. I am probably going to take a very soft brush and parts cleaning solution to it to take off the scale and dissassemble the valve train, clean and reassemble with new seals. Now I just need a short block and I am ready to go. Any thoughts on the 848 head out there and whether or not it is worth the effort? Thanks, Andy
Andy, i don't know why it wouldn't work. chevy offered 4 spd trannys on all of their trucks as options. it will be a floor shift on the 4 spd versus column shift on the 3 spd, so you'll have to get a different transmission cover plate, but that's not a difficult thing. Several vendors offer those if you can't find one in a boneyard. we have the technology to make it work. i'm a 216 man so i'm not going to comment on the 848 head on the 235, because i simply don't have a clue. (but if it has new valves, guides etc and has been setting on a shelf, the shelf isn't going to make them wear out or go bad. you have to do that yourself!)
