Newbie dropping 350/auto into my '59 chev - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Tom'48 · 06-23-2006, 03:14 PM

I am new to this forum but have been reading some of the posts and replies and am very impressed with the knowledge and helpful people here.
My project truck is a 1959 Chevrolet 3100 short box fleetside,with large rear window. The truck is almost all original,little rust,and very straight. Although the truck engine runs great,(tranny and drive train is ok), I want to remove it (been told I'm crazy) and put in a 350 with a 7004R tranny. I will get a 10 bolt gm rear end with a gear ratio of 3.10-3.73 range to go with it,have 3 choices,to pick from,(76 monte carlo,76 olds omega,78 camaro). I want to add power steering & power disc brakes to improve handling & safety. I can't bring myself to cut the front frame and add a clip as I want to keep the truck somewhat original. Will I have any problems dropping this engine/trans in? Should I order the (kit)crossmembers available to mount the e/t's? How 'bout the power steering and brakes. I have a saginaw gear from a 2wd suburban,however I wonder if I could use a rack&pinion from a late model GM or other? How 'bout the power brakes, any suggestions here. Sorry for the length of this,but I have so many questions? Thanks in advance Tom

Tom'48 · 06-23-2006, 03:15 PM

I am new to this forum but have been reading some of the posts and replies and am very impressed with the knowledge and helpful people here.
My project truck is a 1959 Chevrolet 3100 short box fleetside,with large rear window. The truck is almost all original,little rust,and very straight. Although the truck engine runs great,(tranny and drive train is ok), I want to remove it (been told I'm crazy) and put in a 350 with a 7004R tranny. I will get a 10 bolt gm rear end with a gear ratio of 3.10-3.73 range to go with it,have 3 choices,to pick from,(76 monte carlo,76 olds omega,78 camaro). I want to add power steering & power disc brakes to improve handling & safety. I can't bring myself to cut the front frame and add a clip as I want to keep the truck somewhat original. Will I have any problems dropping this engine/trans in? Should I order the (kit)crossmembers available to mount the e/t's? How 'bout the power steering and brakes. I have a saginaw gear from a 2wd suburban,however I wonder if I could use a rack&pinion from a late model GM or other? How 'bout the power brakes, any suggestions here. Sorry for the length of this,but I have so many questions? Thanks in advance Tom

Jebb1978 · 06-23-2006, 04:57 PM

Welcome to the board Tom!

Have you consittered buying another frame? If you started with a differant frame you could keep yours on the road with all the original parts while you are building the other one. If you swaped a subframe,350 and rearend into the second frame, you would be able to perserve all the original parts for your truck incase you wanted to return it to stock someday? When your frame was done you could swap your body onto the second frame. That may sound a bit extreme but as I am reading your post I am getting that you want to keep it stock but while doing that you pretty much want to change everything. Is that at all helpful?

dwcsr · 06-23-2006, 07:22 PM

Most rip out the front axles first thing but I ran mine for years with a stock front end and it didn't bounce all over like everyone says it will. Everything you want to do is doable so post your pics and ask your question as you go. The rack on a staright axle has been done but its scary looking and I don't think I would ride in one. Various vendor sell the engine trans mount kit as well as a P/s Kit. You saginaw gear should work fine.

Igotachevyor2 · 06-23-2006, 08:18 PM

ok its not worthless but i realy want to see the pics

Tom'48 · 06-26-2006, 09:24 AM

Thanks for the replies. I will post a pic of my truck as soon as I figure out how to do that. Does anyone have suggestions on how to place the new engine/trans into the frame? Do I angle the trans slightly downward to the rear or just look for a position that fits ok? I like the idea of a second frame but here in Wisconsin finding one that's still sound would be a major feat. I am going to a large swap meet In Iola Wi. in 2 weeks and will look for second frame. I have a recored stock radiator, should I have any problems with cooling the 350?

dwcsr · 06-26-2006, 02:14 PM

The carb mounting surface should be level front to back and side to side. The engine angle is built into the manifold.

I think the radiator should work ok in WI but if you go to Texas it will be a problem.

thebeemanone · 06-30-2006, 04:25 PM

Hi

Well welcome aboard. I am doing the same thing.

**HOTFUN** · 07-01-2006, 01:08 PM

I assume it is a 6 cylinder so why not get the V8 front brackets and bolt them in using the stock V8 mount system. The stock radiator is the same for the 6 or the V8 and it will cool a stock 350 v8 fine. If you were going to modify the frame I too would get a second frame and start chopping that as they are around. A stock original big window fleetside shortbox is a rare comidity. I am building one from two trucks and still am having trouble finding a factory 59 V8 shortbox frame or just the title VIN plate from such just to make it numbers match. Good luck and let us see some pictures of what you have to start with. Mark

5Mike7 · 07-01-2006, 03:10 PM

I wouldn't used the front mounts for a engine and modern tranny setup, there no center support near the bellhousing since the tranny will mount by the tailshaft. The original setups had the bellhousings mounted. I think someone made adapters at one time, but after buying the adapter it'd probably be better to just go with modern mounts on the engine instead.

06-23-2006, 03:14 PM	#1
Tom'48 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 3	Newbie dropping 350/auto into my '59 chev I am new to this forum but have been reading some of the posts and replies and am very impressed with the knowledge and helpful people here. My project truck is a 1959 Chevrolet 3100 short box fleetside,with large rear window. The truck is almost all original,little rust,and very straight. Although the truck engine runs great,(tranny and drive train is ok), I want to remove it (been told I'm crazy) and put in a 350 with a 7004R tranny. I will get a 10 bolt gm rear end with a gear ratio of 3.10-3.73 range to go with it,have 3 choices,to pick from,(76 monte carlo,76 olds omega,78 camaro). I want to add power steering & power disc brakes to improve handling & safety. I can't bring myself to cut the front frame and add a clip as I want to keep the truck somewhat original. Will I have any problems dropping this engine/trans in? Should I order the (kit)crossmembers available to mount the e/t's? How 'bout the power steering and brakes. I have a saginaw gear from a 2wd suburban,however I wonder if I could use a rack&pinion from a late model GM or other? How 'bout the power brakes, any suggestions here. Sorry for the length of this,but I have so many questions? Thanks in advance Tom

06-23-2006, 03:15 PM	#2
Tom'48 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 3	Newbie dropping 350/auto into my '59 chev I am new to this forum but have been reading some of the posts and replies and am very impressed with the knowledge and helpful people here. My project truck is a 1959 Chevrolet 3100 short box fleetside,with large rear window. The truck is almost all original,little rust,and very straight. Although the truck engine runs great,(tranny and drive train is ok), I want to remove it (been told I'm crazy) and put in a 350 with a 7004R tranny. I will get a 10 bolt gm rear end with a gear ratio of 3.10-3.73 range to go with it,have 3 choices,to pick from,(76 monte carlo,76 olds omega,78 camaro). I want to add power steering & power disc brakes to improve handling & safety. I can't bring myself to cut the front frame and add a clip as I want to keep the truck somewhat original. Will I have any problems dropping this engine/trans in? Should I order the (kit)crossmembers available to mount the e/t's? How 'bout the power steering and brakes. I have a saginaw gear from a 2wd suburban,however I wonder if I could use a rack&pinion from a late model GM or other? How 'bout the power brakes, any suggestions here. Sorry for the length of this,but I have so many questions? Thanks in advance Tom

06-23-2006, 04:57 PM	#3
Jebb1978 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,713	Re: Newbie dropping 350/auto into my '59 chev Welcome to the board Tom! Have you consittered buying another frame? If you started with a differant frame you could keep yours on the road with all the original parts while you are building the other one. If you swaped a subframe,350 and rearend into the second frame, you would be able to perserve all the original parts for your truck incase you wanted to return it to stock someday? When your frame was done you could swap your body onto the second frame. That may sound a bit extreme but as I am reading your post I am getting that you want to keep it stock but while doing that you pretty much want to change everything. Is that at all helpful? __________________ 1959 GMC project Last edited by Jebb1978; 06-23-2006 at 04:58 PM.

06-23-2006, 07:22 PM	#4
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,134	Re: Newbie dropping 350/auto into my '59 chev Most rip out the front axles first thing but I ran mine for years with a stock front end and it didn't bounce all over like everyone says it will. Everything you want to do is doable so post your pics and ask your question as you go. The rack on a staright axle has been done but its scary looking and I don't think I would ride in one. Various vendor sell the engine trans mount kit as well as a P/s Kit. You saginaw gear should work fine. Last edited by dwcsr; 06-23-2006 at 07:22 PM.

06-23-2006, 08:18 PM	#5
Igotachevyor2 Apache Club Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Goodlettsville,Tn. Posts: 1,294	Re: Newbie dropping 350/auto into my '59 chev ok its not worthless but i realy want to see the pics __________________ 58 CHEVY APACHE I 74 CHEVY C-10 I 78 K-10 donor truck I 89 SONOMA My Trucks Apache Sitting Idle MySpace Project Dad's Truck (74 C-10 to K-10 conversion) . Last edited by Igotachevyor2; 06-23-2006 at 08:19 PM.

06-26-2006, 09:24 AM	#6
Tom'48 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 3	Re: Newbie dropping 350/auto into my '59 chev Thanks for the replies. I will post a pic of my truck as soon as I figure out how to do that. Does anyone have suggestions on how to place the new engine/trans into the frame? Do I angle the trans slightly downward to the rear or just look for a position that fits ok? I like the idea of a second frame but here in Wisconsin finding one that's still sound would be a major feat. I am going to a large swap meet In Iola Wi. in 2 weeks and will look for second frame. I have a recored stock radiator, should I have any problems with cooling the 350?

06-26-2006, 02:14 PM	#7
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,134	Re: Newbie dropping 350/auto into my '59 chev The carb mounting surface should be level front to back and side to side. The engine angle is built into the manifold. I think the radiator should work ok in WI but if you go to Texas it will be a problem.

06-30-2006, 04:25 PM	#8
thebeemanone Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Middleburg, Fl Posts: 57	Re: Newbie dropping 350/auto into my '59 chev Hi Well welcome aboard. I am doing the same thing. __________________ If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a vet. 1959 Chevy http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2283573 2004 Chevy 2500 HD Crew Cab http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2283576

07-01-2006, 01:08 PM	#9
HOTFUN Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 2,135	Re: Newbie dropping 350/auto into my '59 chev I assume it is a 6 cylinder so why not get the V8 front brackets and bolt them in using the stock V8 mount system. The stock radiator is the same for the 6 or the V8 and it will cool a stock 350 v8 fine. If you were going to modify the frame I too would get a second frame and start chopping that as they are around. A stock original big window fleetside shortbox is a rare comidity. I am building one from two trucks and still am having trouble finding a factory 59 V8 shortbox frame or just the title VIN plate from such just to make it numbers match. Good luck and let us see some pictures of what you have to start with. Mark __________________ '66 CST BBW swb fleet 327 fac ac '67 CST 4x4 swb 327 stepside project '72 Cheyenne K20 50k original '72 Cheyenne Super K20 project '73 Sierra swb 4x4 frame off in paint stage '74 Cheyenne Super swb w/16k actual '71 & 72 Cheyenne K10 4x4 swb's '70 426 HEMICUDA conv SHAKER 4 sp Dana 60 '60 Impala conv 327 PG fac ac loaded 3rd owner '72 GMC K2500 4x4 '59 Apache CST BBW fleetside swb 283 '73 ElCamino SS LS1 T56 true SS bucket tach '76 ElCamino SS 52k survivor '87 Grand National 41k True 2nd to last built in 1987. '86 K30 454 SRW fleetside CA since new '88 Trans Am GTA 39k bought new 2018 DEMON plum crazy @ 840HP! "Need for speed" Last edited by HOTFUN; 07-01-2006 at 01:09 PM.

07-01-2006, 03:10 PM	#10
5Mike7 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oakdale,Ca Posts: 283	Re: Newbie dropping 350/auto into my '59 chev I wouldn't used the front mounts for a engine and modern tranny setup, there no center support near the bellhousing since the tranny will mount by the tailshaft. The original setups had the bellhousings mounted. I think someone made adapters at one time, but after buying the adapter it'd probably be better to just go with modern mounts on the engine instead.



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