Thread: 48 chevy 216 to 305 chevy swap

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I have a 1948 chevy 3/4 ton truck it has the stock 216 with 4 speed. I want to put a 305 chevy I have out of a 81 1/2 ton with auto trainy. Where do I start? This is my first build project so all the details you can give would really be apriciated Thanks

This is not a question that has a quickie answer. The truck is 6 volt, needs to be converted to 12 VDC.....do you know wiring or know someone who does?

Engine and transmission mounts have to be fabricated. Do you have access to a machine shop or know someone who does?

Mucho welding required. Do you weld or know someone who does?

Truck probably has a closed driveline. Has to be converted to open driveshaft. This usually means a rearend swap. Do you do suspension work or know someone who does?

Not trying to be anti-project but this is a job requiring several skills......not a bolt in.

mike

come on almost everything he wants done is a bolt on or a simple weld on, with the proper info just about anyone can do it....joe

Power Steering

rear leaf springs

Motor mount x-members

measure your rearend but most folks use a nova or camero rearend here's some suspension info and go to ur Mopar dealer & ask 4 part ##4120074 that'll get ya a pair of spring perches for about $15. make sure u measure the distance between the spring perches & dont weld the on untill you set the rearend degree angle, look at this post it'll give ya an idea.

w/an auto tranny u'll either have to go to a floor shifter OR swap out the column, IF u decide to stay w/the stock column u'll have to off set the motor to the passager side a little so the exhaust will clear. BUT if u have decided to go P/S w/a column shifter i'd get a kit that will let u use a cable to shift the tranny rather then a rod. makes it simpler to adjust the shifter, cleaner too.

since u'll be changing the rearend u
Can't forget front brakes

12volt chang over is easy too, either swap out the gauges or try this or this and this they will all give ya hints on how to do it. &&& lets not forget the wiring, more then likely it need to be rewired. lots of folks are using EZ Wiring which seems to be a great product

there's just some of the info i dug up. it's NOT a weekend project for sure & YES a few thing do need to be welded on. MY advice is to read lots of info on this & other forums ChevyTalk, Hotrodders, Stovebolt to see what others have done ALONG w/reading lots of truck magazines. there is LOTS of infor out there. hell if ya feel adventurous some folks have done frame swaps too, but then some say thats opening a whole different can of worms, even though myself & other have done it b4...joe

Thanks Joe That helps allot I will look at all this and see where I am. Thanks Mike