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

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

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?

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.

Re: Newbie dropping 350/auto into my '59 chev
 

:welcome2:
:hi2:

:wop:

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

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?

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.

Re: Newbie dropping 350/auto into my '59 chev
 

Hi

Well welcome aboard. I am doing the same thing.

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

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.