The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - 47-55.1 Engine swap

**mr48chev** · 03-19-2019, 07:05 PM

If the truck is a 48 or later all he needs is a Cast iron 55/59 V8 bellhousing. The stock 3 or 4 speed will bolt right to it.

That is how my truck was done in when I bought with a 194 in 1973. The previous owner had done the swap several years before.

If he has a 54 or first gen 55 the bellhousing will bolt right on if he has a 48/53 he will have to modify the top of the center crossmember a bit to get the V8 mounts to set down on the older crossmember but it is't rocket science. a bit of cutting and a bit of welding.

He will have to come up with or make some side mounts. Chassis engineering did sell a nice set but they haven't been advertising them since the company sold and moved.

The big issue is the fan/water pump shaft to radiator clearnce. I cut the shaft on the pump down on mine after pressing the hub back so I could run a shorter pulley. I'd suggest that and an electric fan I don't like pusher fans that well but he may have to use a pusher fan.

03-19-2019, 07:05 PM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,824	Re: Engine swap If the truck is a 48 or later all he needs is a Cast iron 55/59 V8 bellhousing. The stock 3 or 4 speed will bolt right to it. That is how my truck was done in when I bought with a 194 in 1973. The previous owner had done the swap several years before. If he has a 54 or first gen 55 the bellhousing will bolt right on if he has a 48/53 he will have to modify the top of the center crossmember a bit to get the V8 mounts to set down on the older crossmember but it is't rocket science. a bit of cutting and a bit of welding. He will have to come up with or make some side mounts. Chassis engineering did sell a nice set but they haven't been advertising them since the company sold and moved. The big issue is the fan/water pump shaft to radiator clearnce. I cut the shaft on the pump down on mine after pressing the hub back so I could run a shorter pulley. I'd suggest that and an electric fan I don't like pusher fans that well but he may have to use a pusher fan. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.