Thread: 37 chevy pickup

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ok, here's the deal. My grandpa has a 37 chevy pickup body sitting in his barn, not much rust, it's in really good condition. The only problem is that is attached to a massive dump truck like frame. I guess at one time the truck was a schoolbus and then converted into a grain/dump truck. So my question is would it be possible to shorten that frame?
The other possibilty is to mount it to another frame I have, a 73 olds delta 88 frame, which might not be such a bad idea if it's possible because that car has the engine that I would like to use. Which brings me to my second question. The engine is a 455 rocket engine with a turbo 400 transmission. So how hard would it be to cram that big block into the small engine bay of the 37?
Any info you could give me would be appreciated. I'm up to doing just about anything as I have worked on many cars and currently work in a full-blown machine shop, so working and fabricating wouldn't be a real problem. This would be my winter project, and I'm looking forward to your guy's help. Thanks alot!
Kurtis

Build a new frame out of something like 2 x 4 3/16 wall tubing. You will be happier in the end. Frame is like the foundation of a house, if it isn't right, the rest of it won't be either.

Don

On my 37 chevy truck I built a frame from 2 x 4 and straightened it as needed. Then I added a amc pacer front end to it so I had disc brakes, and rack and pion. The engine your talking about I'm not familar with the 455 buick but if they can squeeze a 348,409 block into a small engine bay I guess youcan put anything it although you might have to move the firewall back. The big issue is clearence with your steering and exhaust headers, and radiator. Probably will have to go with a electric fan possibly mounted in front of the radiator. Just my 2 cents. Others who have worked with the 455 probably can give you better info.

hhhmmmm... build my own frame huh? Ok, so would I just have to get the 2x4 tubing and then fabricate it to match the frame that's on it now only shorter? If anyone has the dimensions to one of these frames and could post them up I would greatly appreciate it.

my 37 chevy p/u is sittin on an S10 frame and its holding a 454 in the engine bay with and electric fan , there is one problem to address , the distributor cannot be removed without pulling the engine , but they have 4"inch firewall set back skin that should take care of the problem , and it should work with a 455 also ..long time reader , short time poster

flh4speed, what kind of s10 frame is it sitting on? (year, body style, bed length etc). And what are you using for axles, suspension and steering. This sounds like a very feasable idea, that I kind of like.I appreciate your help.

I built a nice basic frame for my 37` out of 2"x3 tubing ... you can get pre-bent frame rails or fab your own ... my rear frame is z-ed 14" to get the truck low and level ..the front is 74` vega control arms and pinto rack ..the wheel base is 105" and it handles and drives great , even with the big motor

oooooohhhhh, thanks to both of those last posts. Plans are starting to form....