Projects Dixie gets a pacemaker

I bought this '53 150 2 years ago. Traveled all over Florida in her. Drove out to the Roundup in Austin this last spring as well.
Have done a little bit of customizing along the way.
Got some fantastic pinstriping at the Roundup by Ken Smith - Fort Worth, TX.
I got a 350 SBC from dougmorril a few months ago that was taken out of his '53 Chevy.
Started the swap this weekend.
The 350 cranked right up and had good oil pressure running on the stand.
So far, the 235 is stripped for removal and disconnected from the torque tube.
Not a bad days work. Lots of help from my husband, bustedknuckles.

 

Cool ride. More miles ahead. Have fun.

 

Great job.

 

Nice, clean, single color striping. Not too "over the top". Looks like a pretty smooth way to roll on down the road!

 

Today we pulled out the rear and torque tube. Took the '57 rear out of the '47 (we started building that car a year ago and ended up putting it on the back burner for other cars and projects) to install. Found some worn out bushings on the spring purchases so that installation is on hold until we get parts.
Removed the 235 and transmission.

 

Ken was great. Old school pinstriper. Took the time to get to know me and the car.

 

Thanks

 

Thanks. This is my first engine swap. Need the encouragement. I love learning more about my car with these projects.

 

Great car, Ken Smith is a local living legend ! Thanks for sharing w us.

 

When I pulled the 235 from my 53 in anticipation of a V8 swap I pulled the head off. Made managing it a lot easier plus I didn't have to pull the hood. If your 235 is good I understand not pulling the head though

 

We pulled the hood. My husband is 6'3". Saves him lots of headaches. And the 235 does run fantastic.

 

It’s awesome that you’re doing hobbies together, that’s one of the keys to a happy marriage Keep up the great work and all this is doing is making me want to work on mine more!!!

Subscribed!!

 

Good of You to jump in and get involved. That’s awesome that You and Your Husband work on projects together.
Kool Chevy

 

After being out-of-town visiting my family in SE Texas last week, back at it this weekend.
Started installing the '57 rear on Saturday. Hubby left on a business trip Sunday morning so I spent the day on paint.

 

I had a nice 350/TH400 ready to go into my ‘59 Chevy PU.
But that damned 235 ran so well, I just couldn’t do it!

 

I definitely know what you mean but we take a lot of road trips and the extra power will be nice.

 

Finished installing the rear today.
Started working with the dummy block and figuring out mount placement and needed modifications to the fire wall.

 

On my old 54 we tied the hood back to the rear bumper.pulled the six. Then had the V8 out four are five times.

 

The foam dummy is so nice.

 

Never heard of foam blocks. I thought they were plastic.

 

probably different terms for the same thing. I used one when I set my car up. The plastic block and a gutted aluminum ****** couldn't have weighed more than 65 lbs. Long story, but I had to get my car ready so the real thing was once and done, and the 3,4,or 5 times in and out to get ready for the real install were so much easier with the lightweight stuff.

 

The lightweight dummy block was definitely worth it. After using it to place and install motor mounts, the engine went in on the first try.
Still lots of work left to do but I'm excited to have it in the car.
The next month will be a busy one for us. We will see how long it takes to finish the project.

 

Thank you for the help, advice on posting, and the encouragement!

 

Looks right a home in the engine bay . Looking good

 

Do you already have a radiator for it? I used a $140 radiator off Amazon in mine with the same fan and water pump on my 350. Never gets over 185° with a 180° thermostat. And Amazon radiator fits a lot better than the junk afco radiator I used for mockup. Off the shelf 57 Chevy lower radiator hose fits and a 57 Chevy upper hose fits with a little t******* on both ends.

 

Still in progress on the engine swap. Found out that we should have put a few more parts on the dummy block. The exhaust manifold on the drivers side hits the pitman arm. Now, the engine needs to be taken back put and moved back a couple of inches.
Have been busy with other activities the past few weeks.
We had a chop cl*** at our shop to chop my buddy's '51 Merc. We put a '51 Cosmopolitan rear window in. We spent the weekend before the cl*** removing the interior, Windshield, garnish moldings, etc and prepping. Next weekend with the cl*** and chopping the car.
Last weekend was Rockabillique, a show in Immokalee, FL that our car club, 5 Points, hosts. It's a full day of car show and live bands into the night.
I also bought a new daily to replace my 2003 Grand Cherokee. It's been a great car and definitely owes me nothing. Still running great with 212,000 miles.
The new daily is a 1964 Chrysler Town and Country hardtop wagon.
This weekend will be minor stuff on the wagon and on my husband's '51 Chevy. Next weekend, Groundhog Gala in Sanford, FL.
Then, back on Dixie's engine swap.

 

I'm pretty sure that's what I have. This setup came.out of a 53 Chevy.
To be honest, we second guessed ourselves when deciding on placement. The mounts had 2 holes for the lower frame and we only used 1. If we use both those bolts, it will bring the engine back enough to clear.

 

Go girl go.....