I have a '53 with a small block in it, but the steering box is in its original
position. The trick was in using RAMS horn exhaust manifolds. The flange on
the one on the drivers' side was cut and the pipe rewelded with an extension
down (towards the road) about 8 inches for clearance. I have 1/4" clearance
between the steering box and the exhaust and about 1/8" clearance between the
stock fuel pump and the frame. The box is tucked under the exhaust manifold as
it arches up and over between ports on cyls 5 and 7. The small clearance for the
fuel pump means it periodically hits the frame as the engine rocks (high accel
or decel). If you use an electric pump this problem goes away (although others
are created).
Jon Elerath
jelerath@us.ibm.com
TORODRVR@aol.com on 08/27/99 08:08:04 AM
Please respond to TORODRVR@aol.com
To: oletrucks@autox.team.net
cc:
Subject: Re: [oletrucks] 50 CHEVY
In a message dated 08/26/1999 10:14:54 AM Mountain Daylight Time,
MLayton324@aol.com writes:
<< i have a brand new 292 that i am considering or
thinking of going to a small block and an automatic transmission >>
Either way, you should plan on replacing the entire drivetrain. I can think
of no good reason for retaining the torque tube rearend if you don't intend
to do a legitimate restoration.
The 292 would make a very interesting truck, with the added benefit of not
needing to mess with the steering box, which doesn't clear a V-8. I'd use the
same transmission and rearend with it as I would with a V-8. A 700R-4
transmission with a 3.73 rearend like I have with my 305 would be perfect! My
cruising speed is 65 mph at 2000 rpm, with plenty of oomph when I kick it
down for passing or climbing.
To repeat myself slightly, to use a V-8 you'd need to either move the
steering box over (not having done this myself, I can't be of any help) or
change it entirely. I have power steering using a Golden State Pickup Parts
kit. Their kit didn't differentiate between AD and TF trucks, so their
measurements were useless, but I was able to make it work. There is a kit
available from another mail order firm that is specifically for AD trucks, so
I'd use that one if I were doing it over.
BTW, the power steering kit also gave me the chance to install a tilt column,
so the final cost was fairly high. I believe I could have adapted the
original column, but I needed the automatic shifter, so I went modern to
avoid buying a floor shifter. Didn't want the floor shifter, anyway.
Mike Jensen
'48 Chevrolet 1/2 ton 5-window 305 V-8/700R4/3.73 rear/power steering/tilt
column
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oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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