Recommend a modern SBC/transmission for a 51 Chevy coupe

I recently picked up a 53 Belair project and will be replacing the original 6 with the motor from my 86 IROC. tuneport and 700R4 transmission. I know if I change the motor to a 4 barrel there are changes needed to the transmission from computer control for lock up to manual. I would be changing it for the hot rod look only and not performance as the motor would have enough as it sits. OH, BTW I will have a 53 6 and automatic for sale soon.

 

You can get an inexpensive kit to do that, or DIY. Either way, it is pretty easy. I like the kits that have a brake light switch, and a vacuum switch, for maximum versatility.

Search the board. It has been covered a ton.

 

It is tight. Header or manifold selection is key.

 

How would you set up the steering column? I've fought this battle in the past on a 57 Chevy pickup.

 

I just did a '50. This one got mid-70's manifolds. They have a recess right where the steering shaft needs to go.

Here are some details: http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=770977&highlight=column

The mounted heim joint to support the shaft was just behind the control arm, with the shaft continuing under the motor mount.

Early ram's horns would not fit.

 

Fantastic advice, thank you.

 

Anytime. I live for this.

 

Very helpful guys, just bought a 54 and learning. What about an engine from Jegs or summit?

 

Yeah, made some expensive mistakes on the 57 Chevy pickup. Still, want to perfect the craft, and make something that's mine.

 

my 55 4dr has a 400 200R and good quadrajet, it starts easier than my 95 3/4 tbi, get 15-20mpg I have a 92 caprice that will go in another project in the near future, tbi.
Depends what is laying around for parts and how cheap you can get a donor.

 

I used a 406 SBC and a saginaw 4 speed in my 50 chevy delivery. I used an 83 Olds Gutlass rear axle that [surprisingly] never broke.
To get the stick setup to work, I used the original pedals with a Lakewood scattershield. I was able to weld mount brackets to mount a cut-down mid 70s clutch Z-bar to the top of the frame and the scattershield...worked great!

 

I used a 53 steering box [far superior to the '50 box] and cut the shaft off about 7-8" above the box..removed the column stub and tapped an oil seal in the resulting hole. I welded a rag joint receiver onto the shaft stub to allow me to utililze an early 70s van column, cut to length. After a little filing, I was able to use the original chevy under-dash column mount. This gave me modern turn signals that hooked up directly to my 70s nova wiring harness.
I used an early 70s "twisted-back" ramshorn manifold on the driver's side. I had to do some grinding on the manifold and a little on the pitman arm and still, on really sharp left turns the pitman arm would just kiss the manifold..no big deal at all.

 

Probably sacralidge on this site, but has anyone shoved a supra engine/Trany in a car like this? 250 plus HP from a 2.5 lt isn't very hard.

 

If you run the right iron manifold you can clear stock steering and column no problem.

Anything that comes up from the ports and dumps at the rear on the left should work. Mid-90s Caprice is one that's not too hard to come by.

 

I ran a ram horn on the passenger side and a 80s 305 truck driver side manifold. Chassis engineering motor mount, home made trans mount. worked with a 4 speed and a 700r4.

shhhh.

 

Find a early (non-Crossfire)C-4 Corvette with a L-98 and 700r ... easy to work on, quick, reliable, plus cheap and abundant for the donor.

 

I have a 51 chevy coupe. Want to run a 235 6cyl, with nova rear, and was wondering if i could use a 3spd with overdrive transmission from a 55 chevy?
Would like to keep the 3spd on column. Can this be done?

 

Im not a 700-R fan unless its going out on the road cant hardly beat a 350/350 for ease of parts & premade bolt ins for your whole project just give them your C/C # & in a few days its at your house

 

Um, what? There are just as many parts for the 700R4, pre-made.

Going out on the road? I hope so. If it is going to be a trailer queen or garage ornament, it does not even need a transmission.

 

It's been almost a year, Parabola...did you get the old chevy operational?

 

Here is how you really do it right I can see you bowtie boys cringe : http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/journal.php?action=view&journalid=130186&page=1&perpage=5&reverse=

 

Instead of burying this in an old and irrelevant thread, if you can't find anything via search, why not start a new one.