After getting my 37 Chevy p/u out for the first time this year it seems the cab is shrinking so maybe time to step up to a larger truck,since I have Y blocks I am thinking 53 to 55 F 100 but if I end up with a 53 what will it take to put a Y block in where a flathead was originally. I presume getting 54 and 55 parts but are the frames different.
Probably depends a lot what transmission you want to use. Would you stick with the side bellhousing mounts that the Y block Effie's originally used? If so, the front center mount receiver should be easy to fab.
A local junkyard has a 54 or 55 that has the mounts and bell housing and would most likely use them and does the trucks use the same 3 speed as the car. I have a car T-5 adapter I was hoping to use.
Might just use a car bell housing since I have one and side mount the Y block with a crossmember for the trans like a car.
What about a, ah, never mind, those who know me can finish my thought. My thoughts are the same as what would @Lloyd's paint & glass do?
Hopefully I can find a 54 or 55 so it will all bolt in but then I have a rough 65 Galaxie with a 390 and C-6. I have a sweet running 55 272 and a T-5 that I would like to put in one.
If you go with the engine side mounts, you’ll need the either the truck crossover exhaust, or something of your own design. I know the rams horns won’t clear the side mounts, and I don’t think either a car or tbird left side manifold will get the down pipe by the steering/clutch linkage. The truck guys would know for sure on that. Anthony is right about the depth of the bellhousing, but I think the truck 4 speed used a larger front bearing retainer, while the 3 speed used a smaller one. Just something to figure out when you start gathering parts. Double check the car bell/adaptor/T-5 input shaft length. Some combinations require shortening the input shaft 1/8” or so. Not a big deal, I’ve done it with the transmission on the floor with a cut off wheel and a second set of hands.
The 352 and 3-speed from my wrecked '64 Ford went into a friend's '53 F100 around 1978. IIRC Transdapt had the required front engine cradle. I do not recall any difficulties with the swap.
Does anyone know if the 61 to 64 truck 3 speeds are the same as a car,if so I could use one of those bellhousings as I think they have the mounts on them like the older versions. I picked up a 64 292 for parts a couple years ago that had the front mount but did not have a bellhousing.
The truck and car 3 speed trans are not same, truck has a considerably larger bearing retainer and input shaft. The truck bells have ears, the car bells that I’ve seen did not.
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