I'm looking for any insight on an idea i have came up with while on deployment. I am thinking of putting my 371 Olds rocket motor into my 1953 Chevy pickup when i get back home. I bought the olds and had plans of just leaving it ratty and drivin the snot out of it, but also have my 1953 Chevy thats coming along to be a real nice truck that i am trying to keep at traditional as possible and have been looking for a good era correct power plant. Thought it would be cool to just can the 4 door olds and get the 53 looking and running right. the rocket motor runs and drives, however the onld inline six is tired and not running. Basically figured i would ask you guys if any of you have any insight on doing this, if it would be a decent swap and seem like a good call, and if any of you have done this? Maybe have pics, problems you ran into? Any info would be greatly appreciated as this seems like a pretty awesome powerplant to transplant into the old girl.
ought to be plenty of info out there. Olds in to ADs has been done a thousand times, I'd suppose. Bet there's even a couple of them here on the HAMB. There is an engine-swapping book (or more) available - I'm not at my office so I don't have the name. If you google 'engine-swapping', you might find it/them. dj
thanks much propwash, i appreciate, i'm actually looking at using an amount of parts for it, if measurments match up when i get back home i may just use a majority of the drivetrain out of the olds..not sure as of yet as far as the clearance i will have if i keep the old straightaxle thats in the 53..may have to look into subframing it i suppose.
The steering, as always, will be the make-or-break issue. Knew a guy in high school whose father had a 53 Ford PU truck, with a 394 Olds and an actual B & M Hydro Stick in it; but I think the Ford has a wider ch***is. You'll most likely have to offset the engine to the right. NOW, if you were to use the dual range Hydro ( I think yours will be the dual coupling type) from an AD Chevy/GMC truck, and the Olds flywheel, torus ***embly, and bellhousing, it all might bolt onto the stock truck crossmember. The other issue might be the left hand mounted starter motor/steering box interference. Good luck. Butch/56sedandelivery.
thanks butch, yeah i was thinking i would prob have issues with the steering and all that jazz, the thought crossed my mind of just using the front clip possibly outta the olds depending on the width of the frame/width of the wheel base and all of that. guess when i get back to mn for leave and get my olds shipped out that way i will just have to start taking some measurements and do a little more research and find the right transmounts and whatnot. i appreciate the info you guys are pullling together for me. much appreciated!!
I'm guessing the easiest would be to relocate the steering box to the front of the 53 frame using a kit available from Speedway and some of the other places...other than the box I'd think it would go together pretty easy...
I've got a lot more opinions than advice, unfortunately. But I think that would be a cool motor swap. Definitely a good call.
i will look into the box you are speaking of T weed, definately would be a better alternative than subframe etc..plus i like the thought of keeping the straight axle. i think all and all doing the 371 swap would be a for sure rad motor swap..better than the 283 i had planned on doing.
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