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Projects 440 in 1952 gmc

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Ryan Chab, Oct 23, 2016.

  1. Ryan Chab
    Joined: Oct 23, 2016
    Posts: 4

    Ryan Chab
    Member

    I have an old 1952 gmc truck that I am planning on rebuilding. I'm looking at replacing the straight six in it (not original to the truck) for something bigger. There's a 440 Mopar engine off a 1969 charger long gone in my garage and was wondering how hard, if at all possible would it be to put it in the truck... Any help at all would be appreciated.
     
  2. 325w
    Joined: Feb 18, 2008
    Posts: 6,567

    325w
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Steering box is an issue with a lil ole SBC.
     
  3. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,722

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

    Big block Mopars fit nearly everything!

    Spots to watch are the starter, mounted on the drivers side, can make steering fitment interesting sometimes and the oil pump is out front externally on the drivers side.
     
  4. Ryan Chab
    Joined: Oct 23, 2016
    Posts: 4

    Ryan Chab
    Member

    I ***ume the whole rear end and transmission will need to be changed out as well?
     
  5. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,722

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

    The ****** is big block Mopar only, so yes. If the rear is an open drive drive, not necessarily.

    If it's still a torque tube, yes. 1969 Chevy trucks are a nice fit.
     
  6. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,694

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    That ol' GMC will never know what hit it! Talk about a killer setup, IF you can make the steering work. Like has already been said, steering box clearance is an issue with a SBC, and the engine has to be moved towards the p***enger side at that. Fenderwell headers may be the only way around it. Realistically, try for a 292 Chevrolet/GMC six; that's what I'd probably do. JMO. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
  7. tractorguy
    Joined: Jan 5, 2008
    Posts: 1,065

    tractorguy
    Member

    Why don't you go totally awesome and put in a Prius engine with and infintely variable automatic transmision ?? You have a traditional GMC truck and you are not considering a traditional 248....270....302 6cyl engine with speed equipment ??? What could be more traditional .....or simple.....or powerful than a GMC inline 6cyl. engine ? What is the "un-original " 6 cyl. engine that you are taking out of the truck ?
     
  8. Ryan Chab
    Joined: Oct 23, 2016
    Posts: 4

    Ryan Chab
    Member

    The truck has been through three engines in its life.. The current one is a 1957 Chevy 235 power glide
     
  9. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 8,559

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    Is it a 100 series or 150 ? A 150 with a 440/Torqueflite/4.89 axle would be a fine yard truck ....
     
  10. Ryan Chab
    Joined: Oct 23, 2016
    Posts: 4

    Ryan Chab
    Member

  11. I Dunno? A 440 in a pilot house Dodge Truck would be the berries. I think I would go with a 248 and stick trans. Of course I already have the 248.
     
  12. Los_Control
    Joined: Oct 7, 2016
    Posts: 1,182

    Los_Control
    Member
    from TX

    We like to steer too!;)
     
  13. A buddy of mine is starting on a 413 in a Pilot house, is he headed for steering problems?
    sorry about stealing the thread!
     
  14. 73RR
    Joined: Jan 29, 2007
    Posts: 7,345

    73RR
    Member

    You might ask some of the guys over at the PilotHouse forum: www.p15-d24.com

    .
     
  15. Pete Eastwood
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 1,345

    Pete Eastwood
    Member
    from california

    Moving the engine to the right an inch or two won't effect anything, Chrysler did it for years.
    We did that back when I worked at Blair's Speed Shop in the esarly 70's.
     
    Tman likes this.
  16. falcongeorge
    Joined: Aug 26, 2010
    Posts: 18,339

    falcongeorge
    Member
    from BC

  17. Dan Timberlake
    Joined: Apr 28, 2010
    Posts: 1,585

    Dan Timberlake
    Member

    When I was 19 two buddies and I took a Corvair Spyder cross country. The Diff had an undetected leak ( my fault) and went to H*ll in Gallup New Mexico. We pulled the powertrain with the car teetering WAY up in the air on a pair of those red HILift farm jacks in a junkyard dirt parking lot beside Rte 40. A young man had a trans shop and offered to rebuild the trans. His ride was an early 50s Chevy pickup with a Chrysler 413 and slicks, and always At least two gorgeous Native American or maybe Mexican girls riding up front with him. At one point He offered us a ride to the parts store. We three Yankees were ***igned to sit in the bed, sitting all which way. He showed off with some heavy throttle in first gear, and that Mopar torque tumbled us helpless like puppies to end up laughing in a heap against the tail gate.

    I found that inspiring then, and enjoy thinking about it today.

    I'm guessing fitting the 413 in there was quite a feat.

    He screwed up the trans rebuild guessing how it went together and dropped an interlock pin into the wrong hole or something. No reverse. I drove it home to M***achusetts that way, borrowed a professional Motors manual from the AMOCO gas station at the end of the road, RTFI, and fixed it myself

    I've told this story more than once here and I apologize. I'm sorry, but as soon as anyone mentions big block Mopars and old GM trucks my eyes get gl***y and the fingers just do what they want.
     
    falcongeorge likes this.

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