47-55.1 47 Thriftmaster engine swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jeffbcn · 03-29-2019, 10:52 AM

I can get a 235 from a 53 belair. It came attached to a powerglide.
My question is can i use it with my sm420 and put an 848 head on it. Should i also use a 261 camshaft?

Second Series · 03-29-2019, 03:42 PM

I had a 235 from a DelRey installed in my '47 Thriftmaster. I later had a sm420 from a dumptruck put in too, so I know it can be done. I got a shortened shaft water pump, but the radiator is also mounted forward, so I think an unmodified waterpump would work if you mount the radiator forward.

jeffbcn · 03-29-2019, 04:28 PM

It already had a 235 out of a 62 pickup. Still need to modify?

Second Series · 03-29-2019, 06:25 PM

May need a pilot bushing? to go from automatic to manual transmission. I have the hydraulic lifters, they work fine.

mr48chev · 03-29-2019, 08:42 PM

53 Bel Air powerglide 235 should be a pressure oiled engine so that is a plus.

The pilot bushing install could be an issue if the crank isn't drilled for a pilot bushing.

The water pump issue isn't a big deal and surely not worth the uproar. There are several ways around that if the pump shaft is too long.

I don't see any gain with a 261 Cam and it might be a loss performance wise Plus as Second series said the hydraulic lifters are pretty nice to have in a lot of respects.

jeffbcn · 03-29-2019, 10:11 PM

How about 848 head on that?

mr48chev · 04-05-2019, 09:26 PM

I'm not really into the older sixes performance wise. I have rebuilt a number of them back to stock over he past 50 something years but naever changed parts around to get a performance boost. You might snoop around on https://www.stovebolt.com/ to see what the theory is. Unless there was a need to pull the head I'd probably leave it as and drive it a while.

03-29-2019, 10:52 AM	#1
jeffbcn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 84	47 Thriftmaster engine swap I can get a 235 from a 53 belair. It came attached to a powerglide. My question is can i use it with my sm420 and put an 848 head on it. Should i also use a 261 camshaft?

03-29-2019, 03:42 PM	#2
Second Series Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Tukwila Washington Posts: 378	Re: 47 Thriftmaster engine swap I had a 235 from a DelRey installed in my '47 Thriftmaster. I later had a sm420 from a dumptruck put in too, so I know it can be done. I got a shortened shaft water pump, but the radiator is also mounted forward, so I think an unmodified waterpump would work if you mount the radiator forward. __________________ '47 Panel to '88 K2500 Frame Swap Mechanical Speedometer Drive Solution 1947.2 1 ton Chevy Panel 1955.2 Chevy 6700 Bus/RV 1990 Chevy K1500

03-29-2019, 04:28 PM	#3
jeffbcn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 84	Re: 47 Thriftmaster engine swap It already had a 235 out of a 62 pickup. Still need to modify?

03-29-2019, 06:25 PM	#4
Second Series Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Tukwila Washington Posts: 378	Re: 47 Thriftmaster engine swap May need a pilot bushing? to go from automatic to manual transmission. I have the hydraulic lifters, they work fine. __________________ '47 Panel to '88 K2500 Frame Swap Mechanical Speedometer Drive Solution 1947.2 1 ton Chevy Panel 1955.2 Chevy 6700 Bus/RV 1990 Chevy K1500

03-29-2019, 08:42 PM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,402	Re: 47 Thriftmaster engine swap 53 Bel Air powerglide 235 should be a pressure oiled engine so that is a plus. The pilot bushing install could be an issue if the crank isn't drilled for a pilot bushing. The water pump issue isn't a big deal and surely not worth the uproar. There are several ways around that if the pump shaft is too long. I don't see any gain with a 261 Cam and it might be a loss performance wise Plus as Second series said the hydraulic lifters are pretty nice to have in a lot of respects. __________________ 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.

03-29-2019, 10:11 PM	#6
jeffbcn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 84	Re: 47 Thriftmaster engine swap How about 848 head on that?

04-05-2019, 09:26 PM	#7
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,402	Re: 47 Thriftmaster engine swap I'm not really into the older sixes performance wise. I have rebuilt a number of them back to stock over he past 50 something years but naever changed parts around to get a performance boost. You might snoop around on https://www.stovebolt.com/ to see what the theory is. Unless there was a need to pull the head I'd probably leave it as and drive it a while. __________________ 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.



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