I've found a new home for the straight 6 that I pulled out of my 53 Chev. sedan. I need to figure out what to do about converting the ****** to open drive or finding another ****** that will bolt up. Three speed manual. Any Ideas? Thanks Will Vaughan
Bellhousing patterns were the same from 37-62, at least on truck engines. So you could use a 55-62 3 speed from a chevy on your bellhousing. Or a truck trans from I think the late 40's on... but someone else will know better! Jason
If you have the original bellhousing on your '53 engine, you are limited to the enclosed driveline transmissions. Cars from '37 - '54 used a small pattern trans (as well as the hole in the bellhousing being smaller). Trucks from '37 - '47 (1st series) used this small pattern as well. Cars from '55 up used the "normal" chevy bellhousing pattern...not sure where it ended, but a '91 S-10 trans will bolt to a '55 bellhousing. Trucks from '47 (second series) up used this same pattern, although the truck trans through '54 (1st series) were enclosed drive. So, your best bet would be to find a '55 up bellhousing, or a '47 up truck bellhousing. Then your trans choices are pretty much unlimited... I hope this makes sense....! Brian
Small clarification: Only the 47-54 1/2-ton Chev/GMC trucks used the closed driveline. 3/4-ton and larger had an open driveline. I have a 47 3/4-ton with original floor shift 3-speed and open drive sitting in my yard. Starting in '55, including the first series trucks, the 1/2-tons were all open drive.
Oldsub, not to disagree...but I had a '47 second series 3/4 ton (w/floor shift 3 spd), the driveline was enclosed coming off the trans back to a hanger bearing, then open to the rear. I also have a '49 3/4 ton (3spd column shift), it is setup the same way. So for transmission purposes, I considered both 1/2 and 3/4 ton enclosed drive.... Brian
On the back of the Patrick's catalog from 99 that I have, he says that the cast iron Saginaw is a bolt in for the trans in a stock Chevy truck. Is that the same bolt pattern as tri five chevy? I am at work so I don't have it handy, but if ya want when I get home I will scan it. Anyways, if you use a truck bell housing, those options will work. The car has a 216/235? And you're gonna change rear ends, right? If not, kustom52 is right, the torque tube trans is all that will work Jason
And, if you need a bellhousing for a manual with hydraulic clutch, find one from a '60 - '62 truck...has the slave cylinder on the left side of the bellhousing...just some more useless info...! Brian Brian
So find a bellhousing off of a 55 or later 235 and I should be in business for an open drive transmission? My 53 chev now has a 383 chev and a th350. I'm putting the sixer in a 48 ford p\u. My cousin drug the truck up to my shop with no engine and a lot of big ideas. It's just sitting in my way now so I'm going to put an engine in it so I can at least move it around to get out of my way. Thanks for the info. Will Vaughan
Yep, or one off a '48 - up truck...'55 - '57 car bellhousings are easy to fab up mount far due to the design of the factory mounts. If you need help finding one let me know...Mississippi ain't that far away. Brian
A power slip up to about '62 will work. Some of the early box novas had a full syncro 3 speed. Hard to find. GM started using a Full syncro 3 speed in some of the utility vehicles (wagons, business coupes, in the late '50s). A friend bought a '55 utility/business coupe (110?)with a six and full syncro 3 speed about 4 or 5 years back. Bought it from the original owner. if it don't make ay dirty it aint yours
[ QUOTE ] Oldsub, not to disagree...but I had a '47 second series 3/4 ton (w/floor shift 3 spd), the driveline was enclosed coming off the trans back to a hanger bearing, then open to the rear. I also have a '49 3/4 ton (3spd column shift), it is setup the same way. So for transmission purposes, I considered both 1/2 and 3/4 ton enclosed drive.... Brian [/ QUOTE ] I've always thought about it from the suspension standpoint, but I guess you are right if you are looking at the back of the transmission. The open driveline does not provide the torque control that the closed does, so its a very important distinction. Did you leave your '47 in Washington? I have a '47 Chev 3/4 with floor shift 3-speed sitting in my yard...
The Jalopy Journal
