55.2-59 Engine Swap Info

[2bo.c10]

Hi Everyone - I've done some digging but havent really found a detailed thread on swapping an inline 6 (235) with an SBC 350. I have a 1958 Apache and I would like to see some more power out of it. Anyone have any detailed info or a build thread I can check out?

[Wrenchbender Ret]

That is a cut & dry swap as the SBC was an option in that model. If you are going to use a manual trans. it is the easiest way. You need a bell housing from a 55-72 v-8 truck with the exception of the 60-62 Hyd. clutch. One from a 63-72 6 cyl will work also. You get a front engine mount kit from a specialty supplier & a throttle kit. Those are the basics.
George

[dsraven]

here is a few links with some pics so you can see what you are looking for. the bellhousing will sit on the stock crossmember and the driveshaft should be the same. if going automatic you may want side engine mounts because the trans mount is at the rear of the trans instead of onthe stock crossmember. most guys remove the stock cross emeber but remember that it is a structural part of the frame so you may end up with some cab mount issues because there will be a laonger distance between the cross members and the frame can flex between those 2 spots. this can cause the cab mounts to flex and then doors don't close properly and fender to door gaps can also be affected.lots of guys do it but just a heads up. you could fab a removable crossmember that you can install after the engine and transare in or remove before the next engine job. that would help with the frame flex issue

https://www.4speedconversions.com/67...k_housing.html

stock engine mounts,scroll down for pic

http://www.bobschevytrucks.com/engin...engine-mounts/

ogre's throttle linkage, original, sorta. it's a link to a page on this site. check ogre's build thread for more useful info. these trucks came with a v8 so you can find the oem parts if you dig a little

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=542598

radiator, if required

https://www.classicindustries.com/sh...tem/radiators/

exhaust manifolds

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/1955...-steering-box/

exhaust pipes

https://www.ecklers.com/late-chevy/f...-156212-1.html


that should get you going.
post up a list of your wants and some pics. maybe we have some better input. what do you want to end up with, daily driver with stock look except for a newer engine? plan to lower it and do a few steering or brake mods? some of the things you do early on in the build can affect things you want to do later on, like exhaust manifolds that don't leave room for a steering column shaft when you upgrade to independent front suspension, or stock clutch linkage and cross member that gets in the way of the frame mounted power brake booster. one thing you should consider though, whether you do any other mods ornot, is to upgrade to a tandem brake master cylinder. a stock single master cylinder runs ALL the brakes on a single circuit. if you have a brake problem you lose ALL your brakes. they updated that to a tandem system back in the 60's. with a little brake line work and a new tandem cylinder you can have peace of mind.

single system master cylinder

https://www.classicparts.com/1955-59...ctinfo/71-208/

tandem master cylinder

https://www.classicparts.com/1947-59...ctinfo/71-201/

[dsraven]

gonna need some of these too.

https://www.partsgeek.com/mmparts/ra...olet/3100.html

[dsraven]

and one of these

https://www.summitracing.com/int/sea...-size/4-6l-283

and one of these

https://www.summitracing.com/int/sea...make/chevrolet

[dsraven]

and you may want to swap in an alternator for reliable power. here is a link to how it all works on these old vehicles

https://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/s...php?tid/75546/

or a you tube on a newer vehicle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBtT6OgMlao

or here for a diagram

https://www.danchuk.com/images/Downl...Sheets/410.pdf

or here for an explanation

https://www.hotrodders.com/forum/57-...wap-11003.html

[dsraven]

depending on the engine and heads it comes with (some have threaded holes in the ends of the heads and some don't) you have a couple of choices for alt brackets. this is a link to the old style heads with no threaded holes and no power steering

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=537669

ebay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVY-ALTER...-/262325700355

[mr48chev]

The guys pretty well hit it.

If you have a manual trans and are going to run the same trans the actual engine swap is pretty simple once you have the pieces you need to hook the V8 to the trans.

As they said;
Cast iron V8 truck bellhousing from the years they suggested.

V8 flywheel

You can reuse the clutch parts if they are good or it is a great time to replace them if they aren't in the best shape.

V8 starter plus a pushbutton for the dash to engage it as the stomp starter won't hook up.

Decide what you are going to do for front mounts ahead of time. Either stock 58 mounts for the V8 or a tube crossmember or side mount kit

The carb linkage will take some tinkering but isn't rocket science.

The Exhaust will have to be taken care of either by you doing it or taking it to the muffler shop you deal with or a bit of each.

Guys used to do these swaps on a long day of work quite often back years ago. Drive it in with the six on the morning, drive it out with the V8 in the evening. I'd expect it to take a bit longer but by having the pieces that you "have to have" there and ready to go such as bellhousing and flywheel makes things a lot simpler.

[dsraven]

oh yeah, good catch mr48. I forgot about the starter thing. easy to wire that up to a push button though.

[mr48chev]

I've been the "helper" on a couple of those swaps years ago. Back when I was in my mid 20's and was full of energy and could work all day helping a friend with his project for beer, pop and food.

Best one we did was I had bought a 61 Impala 4 door sedan from a coworker for the engine and trans and drove it home. My buddy's wife saw it after I pulled the engine and said it sure was a lot nicer than her rusted out 59 4 door Chev. The next Saturday morning they drove it over and we pulled the still hot engine out of it in my garage, rolled the 59 outside, Rolled the 61 in and sat their engine in the 61. we hooked everything up and got it running about dinner time and the gals had made dinner , then we pushed the 59 around the side and put a sign on it that said free. They drove the Impala home and she was still driving it a couple of years later when we moved up here. The guy across town that scrapped cars in his back yard towed the 59 off.