Thread: 51 windsor V8 options

Tweet

Hello all! Recently purchased a 51 chrysler windsor, has the original six in it now. Looking to put in a small block chevy. I know some say no, my budget does not fit a mopar, yet...could anyone tell me the level of difficulty there will be with this possible installation and will be installing a mopar be any less difficult. No rush on the build, just need some sound advice. Thanks

Budget and Chevy small block is a bad mix in the '49-54 Mopars you will run into clearance problems with the steering box.Actually a good fit is a 318-360 Mopar small block,I have seen several done and it's a good fit.

You don't know what you don't know.
Start your education by reading one or more of these publications.

http://www.amazon.com/Engine-Swappin...7920753&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Chrysler-Swapp...7920753&sr=1-2
http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Engi...7920863&sr=1-4
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-...7920904&sr=1-8
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-...7920936&sr=1-9

Any time you are working on a car that is outside the mainstream (ie Ford, Chevy) you are kind of on your own. There may be people who have done exactly what you are trying to do, but they are far fewer in numbers than, lets say, someone who is putting a Chevy sb in a 50 Ford. Motor mounts, transmission mount, exhaust, steering box clearance, etc are all things you are probably going to have to work out on your own by trial and error.

The old saying is, "Anything will fit into anything else with enough time, money, and skill" and that will be very true in this case. The problem is, Chrysler engineered this car to originally hold a long but thin 6, so putting a wider sbc or any other V8 will meet with some clearance issues to overcome.

I suggest you pull the engine and transmission and start seeing what looks like it might be in the way, and maybe pick up a cheap sbc or 318-360 Mopar and see how they fit down in that hole. Another route would be to do some stuff to the existing engine. In recent years 6's have become somewhat cool and some speed stuff is available to dress them up and boost the hp.

Don

If clearance is an issue for a v8, why not look at some of the newer inline 6cyl??My wife's 2003 chev Trail Blazer has a killer twin cam 6 that really runs good

I agree with Pops......You don't know what hits until you lower the engine lift down in the hole and see

Either engine would be a cool swap. Mopar guys will apprecaite your mopar in a mopar though if you go that direction.

What about the bulletproof slant 6??

Don Jr.