Thread: Early smallblock into my '51 Chevy

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Hello everyone,
I just joined but have been a motorhead for a long time now. If anyone needs advice or info. please ask.......

Now--- onto my question:

I just picked up a FRESH 1956 Chev. 265 Powerpack engine with the original Powerslide. I am going to swap it into my '51 Chev. business coupe.
the '56 265 is a front mount only--- no side mount holes.... so I will need to use a Hurst mount or the equivalent......


Has anyone done this, and can they advise of any problems that I might encounter. I had a '50 Chevy Bel Air with a 283 MANY years ago-- and never really paid attention to the mount (it was a Hurst type).

I also plan to swap the '56 rearend-- since the '51 had a closed driveline. Any advice there? Can I reuse the stock '51 leaf springs (or new '51 springs)-- or is there a better way.

Think 1957.... I'm not looking for a Mustang II suspension swap, fuel injected 350, 9" here--- just a simple v-8 swap to give her more poop.

Thanks in advance!



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Here's your motor mounting stuff;
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/asp...qx/product.htm
The rear mounts for a '56 are on the bell housing, and I'm not aware of a kit for those, so you'll probably have to fab those yourself once you have the front placed.

The rear springs on these are kinda lame. You can sorta get away with them, but they were designed to have the torque tube limit axle rotation. You're better off upgrading. Here's a link to Chassis Engineerings stuff, good quality. The rear suspension kit is about 3/4 down the page; http://www.chassisengineeringinc.com...9-1954chev.htm Here's a link to a site that gives axle width dimensions so you can see what choices you have for one that is similar sized to the stocker; http://www.teufert.net/other/rear%20...dimensions.htm

Also, you'll need to mount the radiator closer to the engine since the V8 is shorter than the six was. Whatever you do, an adequate fan and shroud is the best way to go for proper cooling.

Oh, almost forgot, with the hurst style mount you can't fit the mechanical fuel pump on the block, so you'll need to install an electric fuel pump.

A bzillion years ago I had a '54 Ford with an early 265 in it. The guy that put the engine in just fabricated a brace across the front between the two rails and welded two long bolts onto the brace to set the engine mounts down on.