Hot Rods sbc swap to 46 truck manual trans

I have not been on the board for awhile. Moved, major projects, other stuff gets in the way. Did a search on this, but no joy, so posting here. We have a 46 Chevy truck that is an abandoned project. Way cool, it has what seems to be a frozen '56 235. Considering a SBC swap, however it has the dump truck setup with PTO off of the manual trans. If we go with easy sbc/T350 we lose the manual trans with PTO. You can see where I'm going. Is there a way to mate bell-housing from something or another that will mate sbc to old manual trans? Stumped, so thanks.

 

I think it was 1955 when Chevrolet changed bellhousings to accommodate both the I6 and the V8.
So if the six cylinder engine in it now is in fact a 1956 model, I think the SBC will share the same bellhousing bolt pattern.

It's been awhile since I messed with some of this stuff. So I might not have it exactly right. But I think your fix is about that straightforward. Guys?

 

Actually changed the bell housing and the I6 bolt pattern to match that of the new V8.

 

You just need an adapter/etc setup for SBC to the Ford transmission.
I had one that was on the transmission still (truck version 4 speed) that had the Wil-Cap 307 C adapter. I sent it along with the flywheel, clutch stuff to a guy, so no clue what was used to mate them.

 

No, the 216/235/261 block pattern was never updated to the V8 pattern. It remained the same from 1937-62.

 

Steve, it's not a Ford.

And HEATHEN, I believe you're correct that the old inline 6 stayed the same.

But I know damn well that a SBC can be bolted up to the early transmissions. So I believe it would be just a matter of @Rad Crews needing to get the V8 bellhousing. I don't know if the '46 Chevy has side mounts on the bell housing, but if it does, I think a V8 bell housing from an early 60s Chevy truck would work. And it might have provisions for a hydraulic clutch. And even the front center motor mount can be used on the V8.

 

Heck. I took the topic as the truck was a ‘46 Ford.
Never mind

 

Try and hunt down a later 292 six engine and the sm465 transmission combo. [68-91] from a C10
It is still a 4 speed and PTO "shorty" top shift transmission

I would rather have a 292 six than a 283 v8 [sixes are cool]

 

First thing is to get under the truck and see what transmission it has. See if it has the early (47 and earlier truck) bolt pattern bolting the transmission to the bellhousing or if has the later Muncie pattern from a 48 or later. There is a good chance that if they swapped in the 56 engine they also swapped in the 56 bellhousing and the SM420 transmission with the PTO drive on it.
A quick check on what transmission it has is that the 46 4 speed has the pto on the left side while SM420 have the pto on the right side. The 46 info from page 89 here https://www.gm.com/content/dam/comp...its/chevrolet-trucks/1946-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf

 

And they will fit, I don’t know particulars, but my Dad had a ‘46 1.5 ton, with the bed he built and the D4 and blade on the truck, it was work driving it. His friend had a ‘60’s PU and doing a V8 swap, gave my dad the 292.
What a beast it was compared to the 216/235 that was in it.
Can’t recall if that truck had a 5 speed or a 4, but recall my dad having to double clutch it for the manual 2 speed rear end.

 

"Thank you to all." This is very encouraging info. My pal wants to keep the dump rig operational. Figuring out a way to run hydraulics with 12V or chain drive was going to be a PITA. We'll yank the junk and get a figure out on the trans. I do know the PTO is on the left side of the trans. Might be the original 46 4-speed. (Mr48Chev, thanks for the link) You guys are very generous and helpful.