My 54 is set up with a 59 394 bolted to a T-10 4spd. There is a mid plate between the trans and bell housing that picks up the 2 motor mounts, the OEM front chin mount is there too. If I switched to a more modern Olds motor or SBC, obviously, I'd need another bellhousing and I guess another clutch assy. The midplate would stay. But up front, How can I mouth the chin engine mount? Anyone have pics too? I'm also considering going to an automatic. Seems there is no interest in the sale, so I might as well make it a long distance cruiser rather than a short blast road car!
Without pics, I could be wrong... but this "midplate" really sounds like the old aftermarket adapter bell housing that came with a thick steel plate for the side bell mounts?? Don't quote me but maybe old Trans-Dapt? Anyways, if that is what it is, you can't just toss it back in between a modern motor and trans. It won't fit. What is wrong mechanically with the 394 engine? is the motor and trans setup for sale?
Nothing wrong with the 394/T10. Just a built, cammed motor not too friendly for long trips. Not selling off the combo though. Just thinking about a motorswap and putting the 394 olds in the corner. Plate is ~3/16" thick and sandwiched between the trans and bellhousing picking up the stock crossmember mounts. In the first pict, you can see the additional tailshaft mount that was added. The plate looks to be home made by the crudeness of the welding. Good enough though...it hasn't failed. lol Also thinking, now that I've seen the S10 ext cab is a 122" WB. So's the Olds. Hmmmmm.
Nice to see a pic. The plate still might be that aftermarket thing, but with different ears welded on for the Olds mounts. Now, I did recall what car this is..I think. The black conv built by your late uncle? Anyways, if you can't be talked out of a newer motor swap: You don't really need to save the Olds side bell mounts or that factory crossmember under the mounts. I say that because you have the added rear tail crossmember, but only "IF" you go with a motor that has side "engine mounts", instead of the front Olds saddle mount. You'd just need to see what room you have on each front side of the Olds frame and steering parts. That rear tail mount can be relocated if needed to fit whatever GM trans you choose in most cases. Just me but I would not even consider a S-10 chassis swap on that car.
Okay, convertibles have an extra heavy duty frame on top of the already HD X-member ladder frame that came under a regular '54-'56 Olds, you put a ragtop on an S10 frame you may as well try not running any frame at all. The thing will be so bent out of shape after one road trip it will need a week on a frame table to get it right again. We have a '56 someone stuck a SBC into. It has one front mount of bar stock welded to the top of the frame with a stock Chevy biscuit mount on the end. I think you could make up a pair of matching mounts, the left side has to be curved slightly to clear the suspension and they should have a brace added, but they'd be easy to make up for most any motor with the side mounts and not use the chin mount at all. Make them up so they bolt to brackets and they'll come right out to put the old motor back in.
Yes. that's the car (below) Forget the S-10 comment; temp. insanity. I'm sorry...... The tailshaft mount is stout, so with side engine mounts, the midplate mount could go. Maybe just keep the T-10 with a generic GM mill ... Thinkin out loud again. Thanks for the input fellas....
Just find a good running stock 394 and put it in,you might like a 59 or 60 371 better since they rev quicker and probably get better gas mileage then a 394. I had a 59 371 in a 53 with a 4 bbl and intake from a 394 and could get almost 20 on the highway and walk away from any stock 350.
Sure, that will work. If you get lucky, the trans may be OK right where it is, "if" the new donor motor and bell housing can reach to the trans. I think the would be a fair chance it would fit as is....unless maybe a big block hitting the firewall.
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