I am in the process of adapting an 86 El Camino drive train (engine, tranny, and rear end) into a 1953 Chevy business coupe. I'm sure there are better donor cars out there but this was a strong running ElCo that was pretty much given to me. The engine is a 305, tranny is TH350, and rear end has mounts for coil springs. So here's my question. I just removed the stock 53 torque tube and rear end to discover that the axle mounts are offset from the center of the leaf springs. Does anyone know where I can get a conversion/lowering block for mounting a normal rear end on this car? Also, I just ordered some bolt-on engine mount adapters for a small block to 53 frame. Does anyone know if I will be able to use my stock rear cross member to support the TH350 tailshaft? If anyone's converted a 53 chevy to a conventional small block set-up, I'd like to hear from you. Thanks.
Do a search and you'll find more than you ever wanted to know on this subject in the HAMB archives. Keep in mind that the firewalls and frame/steering setups were the same from 49-54. There is some decent info here. As for the tranny, my 52 has a TH350, and I set it up with a piece of plate cut with 4 holes in it. 2 holes to attach it to the rear of the tranny case, and the other 2 threaded so I could run bolts up thru the OEM tranny corssmember in the stock mounting holes. There is not enough room for a vibration isolator this way, but I never noticed anything worse than late model Mustangs, Camaros, etc as far as vibrations go. I'd hightly recommend making a tranny dropout, tho. Otherwise you hafta pull the engine to get the trans out. Walton fab makes a pretty nice one, but you can pretty easily make one that;s just wide enough to let the trans drop out. I'll see if I can get pics next time I am under my car. (I made the dropout about 70,000 miles after installing this transmission.)
That' s A good ? I am in the process of doing the same thing on my 54 Poncho the biggest difference would be the extra 6'' in the engine compartment that I have, but let me know what you find out on the rest of it.
Thanks for the information. I like your "adapter plate" solution for the tail shaft. I might just do something similar. As for the rear, I found some offset lowering blocks that will correct the wheelbase problem but they were only available in 2". I think I might try removing a few of the leafs to get the car to sit slightly lower in the rear. Thanks again for the info. I'll post some photos with my progress later.
Doesn't your factory El Co rear set up for trailing arms and springs. I used a 81 El Co rear for my 53 wagon. I will warn you that you will probably need special off set rear rims. I could not use the factory chevy rims. As for mounts, check speedway for saddles that can be welded to your rearend if you plan to use the springs (I used the El Co 4 bar set up). R&B's and several others have stuff for motor, tranny and rear swaps for these cars Now for the offset you mentioned, use a standard 4" lowering block but offset drill your new saddle by one inch.. That is what most do when installing Camaro or other GM rearends from leaf spring cars.
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