Replacing 235 to a 327 v8

[lgoodso1]

Hi everyone, I been looking on the post and trying to find if anyone has replaced there 235 and put in a 327 v8 and reused there 3 on a tree trans, I prefer using my old tran instead of replacing it, my truck is a 57 3200. Thanks

[OrrieG]

Never been done, you are a pioneer. I think you might need a v8 bellhousing, hit the search button in the box about, this comes up every two weeks or so.

[lgoodso1]

Thanks I will do more search on the swap I was checking out the v8 bell housing and wasn't sure if the 3 speed would work.

[_Ogre]

these trucks came factory with v8 motors and are easy to convert.
you need these motor mounts for the front of the motor brothers kit
the foot stomp starter only works with the 6 cyl motor, you'll need to update to a newer starter
and the v8 bellhousing from a 55-59 car or truck
it's a pretty easy swap if you have all the parts on hand before

[lgoodso1]

I bought the brace that made for a v8 to mount the engine just have to get the bellhousing for that engine, Thanks again for the information

[lgoodso1]

I checked out your 58 you did a great job

[OrrieG]

Ok, better mood here. The three speed will bolt up to the v8 bell housing. I can't remember if the clutch Z bar and linkage is the same. Throttle linkage is different but lots of aftermarket available. Factory V8 radiator is moved back about 5" from the rad support, but does NOT need to be moved, just get a shroud to pull the air through the radiator.

[faribran]

My first thought is.... U will be glad u made this change

[lgoodso1]

With changing to a V8 from the 6 cyl. will the 3 speed trans make the V8 rev to high or should I change the differential. just got the cab off and getting ready to make the changes in the frame for the V8

[OrrieG]

Depends on intended use. Stock ratio should be 3:90, ok for the farm a
and around town. Lots of highway probably want to look at 3:23 or 3:07. I run a3:73 to work well offroad. Chevelle has 3:07 good for highway.

[lgoodso1]

Thanks OrrieG and I checked out on the forums and found a thread on the correct bell housing to use that will fit the 3 speed trans and bolt down in the same crossmember .

[ruby57]

Originally Posted by lgoodso1

Hi everyone, I been looking on the post and trying to find if anyone has replaced there 235 and put in a 327 v8 and reused there 3 on a tree trans, I prefer using my old tran instead of replacing it, my truck is a 57 3200. Thanks

Hmmm... my '57 3200 has a '66 chev 327 paired with a TH400...

And converted the shifter for the new automatic...

[lgoodso1]

Nice truck, that is a great idea for the shifter, now I will have to think which way. like the old style look seen to many with the steering column changed or a floor shifter.

[KingKlung]

I was going to convert my 57 3100 truck from 235 to V8 and I believe you will need to replace the ignition switch since the starting systems are different between them. A 58 Impala ignition will work.

If you do move the radiator back you will need a lower splash pan with a bracket so rocks don't kick up into the radiator from below. It took me a while to find all the parts.

[lgoodso1]

Thanks KingKlung, I will start looking for the parts to change over the starter switch, I was thinking about using the same switch and put a push button switch in the dash above the radio, just got my truck stripped to bare frame, working on the engine and crossmembers for the change over.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by lgoodso1

I bought the brace that made for a v8 to mount the engine just have to get the bellhousing for that engine, Thanks again for the information

if you bought the tubular x-member that uses the side motor mounts; that won't work with the bellhousing trans mounts.
both mounts would only be about a foot apart, the engine would rock and roll front to back.
if you use the bellhousing trans mounts you need to use the front motor mounts like i posted above.
if you use the side motor mounts then you need to use a tailshaft trans mount, which your trans does not have.

[lgoodso1]

Thanks Ogre, I will get the ones you suggest and return the tubular one ordered the v8 bell housing waiting for it to come in.

[Russell Ashley]

I don't see why it would be a problem to use the side mounts along with the bellhousing mounts. If you have the bellhousing mounts the engine is definitely not going to move front to back, or any other way for that matter.
If you are never going to add p/s to the truck the original front mounts might be OK but they seem to interfere with most all after market accessory mounts.

[lgoodso1]

Thanks Russell, I was doing some measuring today and couldn't see how it would move being that it had four solid mounts that held it in place except for the movement of the rubber mounts them self.

[_Ogre]

simple engineering dynamics. the torque on the drive shaft will move the motor where it wants too.
the previous owner had the reverse set up in my truk when i bought it.
front mounts on the motor and a tailshaft trans mount, both are the lighter mounts of both sets.
with my foot on the brake and the trans in drive; stomp on the gas and the front motor mounts would fold over.
from drive to reverse the motor moved about 4 inches left to right in the front.
with the bell housing and side mounts the motor will do a similar rocking except front to rear.
if each mount compresses an eighth of an inch in back and stretches an eighth of an in up front,
that will translate into an inch or more on the front of the motor and the rear of the trans.
you will be changing out exhaust donuts weekly as i was.

[lgoodso1]

Thanks Ogree, I was looking at the mounts from my 235 and were going to make the brackets that mount to the frame and replace the rubber bushing and reuse the mounts that go to the block, I have seen on other builds were they made the lower brackets and reused the other mounts, don't want to redo later

[Russell Ashley]

I had an opportunity to look at my engine today and I am more convinced that the side mounts would be fine when using the bellhousing mounts. It's two feet from center of the side mount on the engine to the mount on the bellhousing. It's six inches from the front mounts to the side mounts, so the distance between the mounts is not that different. The bellhousing mounts are very firm and fit over the cross member like a saddle and use a large bolt from the bottom, so there is very little likelyhood of the engine moving much at all. The side mounts would be more likely to prevent side movement than the original front mounts, which add virtually no support from side movement. The torque of the engine is going to try to rock the engine radially but I dont see why it would rock front to back. This is all assuming that the rubber mounts are all good or new.
My truck is basically like Igoodso1 is asking about, SBC with original tranny and column shift. When I put my truck together, if I had known how much the front mounts interfere with after market accessory mounts I would have spent the money for the side mount setup instead of the front mounts.

[lgoodso1]

Thanks Russel I have benn going back and forth on the mounts and was measuring and its only 6 inches back from the front mounts, the torque on the engine is going to be more on the side mounts, if you ever seen an engine with a broken mount it torques to the side which will raise the engine (I have seen that) but the rocking front to back I have never seen, don't plan on doing brake torque with my truck, will test it though to make sure that there will not be an exhaust problem.