a buddy has a nice original 54 1/2 ton, a driver with the stock 235 3 on the tree, can we swap in a 283 and still use his tranny? the 283 has the old cast iron bell housing that has the starter mounted to it, will it fit his trans? i know the 235 bellhousing is mounted to the crossmember and that holds up the trans and rear of the 235, i just dont know if the 283 bellhousing will be mounting the same because i think 1 is flat and the other has beveled sides.thanks, ron

Hi, Been many years since I did that but seams to me that the old six bellhouseing will fit the 283 also, Now might not be right about just going by memory an getting old , lol check it out. good luck Slimone

I am using one on my 55 1st series and hanging a alumn. Tremac 5 speed off of it and I do not have a crossmember under the rear of the transmission. The weight of the gear box is 100 lb.. Is your drive shaft open or a closed torque tube?

its open, what i dont know is.... do the the '54 bell housings mount flat? cuz i know the '66 283 bellhousing has got the tapered sides, someone told me i might have to put a wedge on each side to make up for the gap?

The bellhousing should match the engine the gearbox you want to keep, right. You will need to have motor mounts for the frame to accept the V-8 and a flywheel and clutch. Was that your question?

yes, i know about the v-8 mounts and clutch, i dont know if the '66 283 bellhousing will fit the '54 crossmember because the 235 bellhousing is flat on the bottom, and the other isnt

i dont think the crossmember will work but u can get a engine crossmember for it through chevy duty and i think u can get one for the trans i no u can for an automatic

thanks everybody, sorry for the cornfusion, i get misunderstood alot, must be my A.D.D kickin in or it could be my A.D.D, either that or its A.D.D.