Hi All, Friend of mine is retiring and owns a '53 pickup and wants to put a 350 into it. He has no access to a computer at home and asked me to see if I can come across a Manual/How to as it pertains to doing a swap like this. If anyone can point me in the right direction that would be appreciated. Also, for his sake, what "problems" will he encounter? Seems like the steering box is an issue from what I have read so far. No, I have no idea what he is planning for his transmission, and rear. Personally, I believe he is in over his head, but by presenting him with as much information as I can then he can make the determination himself. Thanks guys.
It really isn't that difficult. They make a mount kit for these trucks. Move the steering box over an inch or 2 to clear, rework the steering mounts and re index the pitman arm. I reccommend using block hugger headers for as much space saving as possible. Get a tubular trans. crossmember for the trans mount, line it up and drill the holes, bolt it in. Switch out the rear end for a modern rear to get rid of the torque tube.
Just wait~ Russ will be doing a new thread on "How to ratrod a GMC". What you're (and many others on here) wanting to know will be covered in that thread. Nice of me to set that up for you, right Russ?
Give Chassis Engineering in West Branch, Iowa, a call: 319-643-2645. Their prices are reasonable, they know their product, and are very helpful. Most kits are offered in both the bolt in or weld in version. Remember our host for this site also offers a V8 conversion but I don't know how much tech support they offer. They do offer V8 conversion wiring harnesses and maybe some other hardware. If big horsepower is not a requirement then one can use a 1955 or 1956 265 V8 left manifold and I GUARANTEE the engine will fit in without moving the steering gear box. These manifolds are still easy to find for under 50 bucks. The AD radiator will cool a small block V8 if it's in good condition. You can use the factory column shifter, if that's what it has, for any automatic transmission be it 2sp, 3sp, or overdrive. With the engine in place where the little dip in the 265 exhaust manifold clears the steering box you will find that a big HEI distributor hits the firewall so you can massage the firewall with a BFH, use a point distributor (that's maybe converted to electronic with a Pertronics kit), or just buy a new small electronic dizzy off of ebay for 45 bucks which is cheaper than a Pertronics kit. This has been done zillions of times so anytime you encounter a hangup just go onto this or other sites and click the "search" box.
Coil I have a question for you about this.. Do you just gut the box on the shaft to remove one of the arms? I am very interested in being able to use as much of the original components as possible as opposed to hacking in a floor shifter. Thanks in advance
