My buddy has a bad ass 52 five window and he wants to put a small block in it the truck has a strait axle dropped by nastalgia Sid and he's worried the steering gearbox is gonna be in the way of the exaust manifold can anyone tell me an easy solution or if he will have any problems at all Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
friend of mine has a 47 truck with a SBC 283. the motor is right on the steering box with almost no clearance between them. but everything functions fine Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
When I was a teenager, I had a couple of these trucks and drove them everywhere; and if I had another one, even if I kept the straight-axle, the first thing I'd do is replace the steering box with a later recirculating ball Saginaw, no matter how much trouble it took. Because steering an old truck should not be like playing Russian roulette. I haven't searched for adapters but I'd bet you can find one to replace the box and gain clearance. If I built another one, I'd find a 235 from a later truck and stick a T5 on it and change the lug pattern to use a Chevy 10 bolt in the rear (some say the 4x4 S10 is the right width, I haven't checked that out); also I'd get a kit and add discs on the front and get rid of the roller bearings. Add a set of Fenton headers and pass every gas station on the highway. Just my two cents. I do love these trucks, though. A small block V8 would work good, too. You're still going to have to replace a lot of parts, including trans & rear-end. I'll check on adapters for steering and get back to this post. Also, keep in mind heat on the steering box is a no-no. Just ask Harry Miller about the brace of race cars he did for Henry Ford for the Indy 500 in 1935, I believe it was. They didn't finish because the exhaust was too close to the steering box. Learn from others mistakes, an old teacher of mine told me, and save some scars. Just some random thoughts you might consider. Not trying to change anyone's mind. I've also had some small blocks and never found one that I didn't like. Best part about them is you can build one and never darken the doorway to a Chevy dealership.
I have a 53 with a SBC. The steering box was moved back to clear the exhaust which required sectioning the steering column and extending the steering arm. You may need a spacer to align the box correctly. Motor sits in the center and does not look out of place as moving it to the side does. Not a big job but welding must be done correctly.
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