I have a 51 chev sedan project with out an engine or trans. I can get hold of a 55 chev truck with a blue flame 6 cyl engine. my question is will the truck engine fit the p***enger car and are the bell housing patterns the same as the SBC ( I'd like to fit a th350/400).
Hello there if decide against the blue fume idea in the 51 please help out as I would be interested in motor or truck
The truck engine will fit the p***enger car, although the bellhousing is different. And the 235 engine will not fit the V8 type bellhousings. Chevy did build a lot of cars in the old days with 2 speed and 3 speed automatic transmissions, and they worked fine...now that you can get overdrive automatics, the old ways don't look so attractive. But they still work as well as they did back then, for decades.
The engine will fit in the car should drop right in. And the bell housing flange on the blocks are the same 6 and 8. Also go to the Social group a 216. You will see it under my name click on that that's all we talk about there is 216 235.
huh? If you mean the flange at the back of the bellhousing, where the transmission bolts on...it's the same on 55-up trucks and cars, but not on 55-older. The flange where the bellhousing bolts to the engine, is completely different on 37-62 6, and the V8.
The engine will fit your car and work fine. It has the advantage of insert bearings and full pressure lubrication, as was featured from 1954 - 1962. If you are real lucky you might get a 261 which was optional or used in larger trucks. It is the biggest most powerful version of the Chev six of that time.
Here's one for you what years make it a blueflame. Also where they all painted blue? I just picked up a 1957 235 out of a pickup truck. Its a back up for my 47 fleetline that still has the original running 216.
Check your front mount also. I'm sure that '51 was the last year for front mount in p***enger cars, same as truck. After that they went to a side mount that's different to late 50's/early 60's. Is the truck a '55 First Series? If so it'll have the short water pump. Second Series has the longer pump set right into the block, but you can use an adapter plate to fit the older style pump, or fit a shorter pulley on the long pump. The truck bell housing will most likely use different mounts to the '51 p***enger car. If you go to auto the adaptor plate should have the right mount holes. Most opt for a 700R4 or 4L60. The truck bell housing will take any manual trans from behind a V8, although some truck transmissions have a larger front bearing retainer so the bell housing would need to be machined out. Lots of info over on the Inliners International site.
Some folks say that all of the old 6s are blue flame, others say it started with the 1937 engine (which had the first of the funky combustion chamber design), others say it started with the 53 Vette, which specifically called the engine the Blue Flame 6. Look at the old ads, see if you can decide when the term was first used? There were a lot of Gray painted Chevy Six engines. The flame was blue...the outside of the engine, maybe, maybe not.
In order to use any modern transmissions you will need an adapter to make the rear of the engine think its a SBC. They are sold buy Buffalo Enterprises in Washington state. They are mentioned in many threads here on the HAMB. Inhvecused them many times and found them ti be a good product. Good luck.
I just bought an adaptor kit from Tom Langdon to install a TH350 behind my 235/261. Tom is not a fan of the 350 or Powerglide and therefore discourages their use but both work with his kit and the price is right compared to other sources. He feels first gear is not low enough to get the torque working. I think it all depends on what the total vehicle weighs and what the application is. My 261 is going in a 1600lb Bantam based altered with the TH350. I have already installed the kit behind my mockup 235 and everything fits. Side mounts should not be that tough to adapt but if you are going to the trouble, be sure whatever engine you use, 235/261, it has full pressure oiling. Warren
Yes, check the casting numbers to make sure the engine is what you think it is. Might have been swapped in. '55 truck is full pressure.
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