Technical 1950-52 International L-series engine swap

I’ve long admired the 1950-52 International L-series pickup trucks. After we’ve purged the Studebaker and my ‘61 Falcon, I’d like to acquire on to use as a work truck.



I want to install a three-speed automatic transmission, and I figure it is easier to do that with a swap to a later-model engine from one of the Big Three rather than adapting something to the old Silver Diamond six.

Does anyone have experience swapping a Ford 300 six-cylinder (with C4) or a Chevrolet 350 V8 (with TH-350) into one of these? Should I plan on swapping the rear axle at the same time? What are the pros and cons? Is there another engine and trans combo I should be considering?

Thanks!

 

I put a 302 with AOD in our '50 and also swapped in an 8.8 rear. Working around the steering column was the biggest headache. If the engine was any wider, I would've had to swap the steering to something else.

 

Sounds like that would mitigate against the 350, then. I think the SBF is about the narrowest iron V8 out there.

 

Nothing wrong with the old 220 if its a runner and starting in 1954 you could get a 3 speed auto behind the BD 220-240 engine which will bolt right to your SD 220. If you need more power a later BG241-265 out of a 1960's C series will bolt right into your L series . Like others have said the steering column gets in the way of a V8 swap.

 

Terraizer - what can you tell me about the auto? Was it purchased from someone else? Or a proprietary design? Antique automatics frighten me - it's hard enough to get a Hydramatic rebuilt, let alone something oddball.

 

I'm no expert, but my dad's old boss restores Internationals, and I know sometime in the mid-late 50's they had a Borg-Warner sourced 3 speed auto

 

Sounds like maybe the Studebaker, AMC, or maybe Ford unit. And yet Wikipedia sites a "GM sourced 3-speed Hydramatic", which makes no sense at all!

 

Maybe they had a GM sourced trans at some point? I tried to google it just now and it's hard to find much info on internationals, and unfortunately I saw references to Borg-Warner, and hydramatics. Some binder lover would be able to tell you for sure what came in which truck when, and what it's compatible too.

 

GM sourced transmisson on the 1954-1958+-. In the 1960's they used a Borg-Warner auto, then around 1971 they went to the Chrysler 727.

 

http://www.autotran.us/

After tons of looking and conflicting info, I asked my dads boss. In 1956, the 1957 models could be had with a BW8. This is the only parts I could find for internationals and it gives a little bit of info on these and the earlier 3speed autos. I was told the earlier 3 speed trans is notoriously bad, but that's one guys opinion.

 

...if it were mine, I'd go for the 300" Ford six/auto,...or a 292 Chevy six/auto and a later rearend. good luck however you go.

 

A 'Binder 345 or 390 would be killer in there, although it'd require steering change. It'd be all International that way.

 

Ive said it before those trucks are so ugly that there kool. When I grew up our neighbor had a few 50s binders I thought they were the uglies thing made. They have grow on me now. Good luck on your project.

 

...I like em enuf I just bought 2 of em, a 55 (green one) and a 54, plan to build one and sell off the other...

 

Nice trucks, Rusty1! I like the R-series almost as much as the L-series.

 

That would be very cool. I remember seeing one of those (I think it was a 345) in a machine shop back around 2002. I thought it was a real neat-looking engine.

 

For all you guys saying how "ugly" they are.....look at Rustyl's photos above. That green one on the left is a lot more like a mid '50s Ford pickup styling than anything else, especially the front fender lines. Visualize that with a Ford grille and you'll see what I mean. Personally, I have always liked their looks..........but to each his own.

I also agree with Rustyl's suggestion of using a big 6 from Ford or GM with a modern automatic.

Ray

 

My brother and I put a 354 Chrysler hemi in a '52 many years ago. We swapped in a '39 IHC steering box ahead of the axle and solved the clearance problem. Years later I helped a cousin put a 392 in one. We used three u-joints and a Heim-type ball end for a bearing to clear the engine, worked great!

 

...here's my 48 Ford for comparison,the Ford's cab is a bit smaller, the 51-2 F-1's mite match even better in the grille area....they look a lot like 53-6 Fords also.... the interior colors almost a perfect match, the IH color is Apache yellow and the Ford is Meadowlark gold.

 

Yes, I could see both the F-1 and F-100 similarities.....and should have said early '50s thru mid '50s.
So, I think those who really like Fords, and dislike Binders, are either prejudiced against the brand or myopic

Ray

 

Diamond-T used the same cabs as the Internationals. Sam, I'm sure your are aware that the 55 has larger side windows than the 54, they were know as vision cabs I believe.

 

They are Comfo-Vison cabs. FWD, REO and Diamond T used the same cabs, International introduced then in Nov 1949. Staring in 1955 the door windows got larger and the 2 rear windows where replaced with one large window. Whats wrong with the SD220? If its a runner i would just leave it and drive it. I love driving my stock S112 with its BD240, 4-speed and 4.11's. I had a 1950 L110 Shortbed and it was just fine with its SD220, column 3speed, seemed happy at 60MPH and was very reliable.

 

I have / had a 54 with an automatic. Very hard to find from what I understand. I used to know the details about the tranny but haven't thought about it for a bit. I just traded my son for another 54 that I will be rodding as he wants to restore the auto truck.

 

no motor/trans in the 55, and the engine in the 54 has a couple rods knockin, so the truck I build will get a later inline most likely. I'm favoring the 54 as I like the smaller door glass and the split rear window., I picked up a shortbed for my project so I'll shorten the frame to fit.

 

I would go with an international 392 if you could get it to fit. The 727 trans is fairly compact, and the dist in the front helps the firewall. I have this one in my daily driven 72 and it runs very strong with piles of torque


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I love those valve covers.

 

Sort of resembles a mopar poly motor. at least the valve covers.

 

I like it cause it is different. International big truck dealers seem to have most of the parts, 727s have a good rep, and while it might not be the easiest swap, most of us here are not car guys because it's easy.


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Saw this in person over the weekend. The V8 sure looks good in there.

 

I've got a customer with a 1950 International L120 with a SD220 in it, looking to swap the engine to a 230 Inline 6 from a 58 Chevy, anyone know how this swap would work in regards to fitment?