I picked up a 3 speed overdrive transmission from a 57 chevy today at a local swap meet. The plan is to convert to an open drive line while keeping the 216 in place (engine has less than a grand on a re-build) I'm guessing that it will not bolt directly up to the existing bellhousing on my 51 deluxe? I'm wanting to keep the stock shift linkage, clutch, pressure plate,clutch fork, etc if possible.... Pretty sure I'm going to have to have a later 6 cyl. bellhousing from a truck but thought i'd ask here before I go any farther.
Definately will need another bellhousing which will require some mount changes,you can use a truck bellhousing from 48 to the late 50s.
I did this conversion to my 40' chevy (see avatar) about 10 years ago. I used a 62 chevy truck bell housing GM#3835201. I used a 1966 saginaw 3-speed with overdrive (all synchro). The bottom 2 trans holes needed to be threaded , I tapped the holes and added 1\2 x13 heli-coils.Clutch linkage remains the same. I fabricated new crossmember to accept late model GM trans mount.Installed a 72' Nova rear-end with 3.73 gears. I used a cable and a relay/toggle switch to operate the overdrive. The Chevy runs at 3100 rpm in third gear and at 2100 rpm in overdrive at 65 mph.....perfect! I just returned from a 600 mile trip to Santa Maria , car ran great ,got good mileage and the motor likes those rpm's a lot better! Good Luck with your conversion.
Hey man, I know this thread is a bit older now, but I am planning a similar conversion... I have a 3speed with OD to put in my chevy 51 deluxe still with the 216,stock 3speed, closed driveline. What all did you have to change and how did it go? Thanks Oli
Your fork angle in going to be a problem if you swap the bellhousing, and it will also screw up the column shift linkage (if you are trying to stay with the column shift). You would probably do better to use one of those T5 adapter plates with the '49-54 car bellhousing and use a longer pilot bushing intended for an SBC application.
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