42 Chevy

[2manyprojects]

Life happened and 2 more Geo's later. I haven't done much with this one other than collecting parts. I want to tear it down and go back together quickly instead of having a pile of parts spread all over for years.

I picked up some front fenders that aren't cut ,they are beat up but solid I haven't decided if I'm going to try and straighten those or just patch the original fenders.

I have decided not to use the 292 it will look out of place for the direction I want the build to go. . I have a 270 GMC and also found a 261 and a set of high compression pistons with GMC rods. I'm still going back and forth which to use? I also picked up a 3spd I might use that and keep the torque tube. The 4spd will get old quick for me so that is most likely going away. I can always switch to the T5 later with the open rear.

[dennislbrooks]

Is that a 12 bolt rear diff you will be using in your 42? Will your bellhousing accept a T5 --- 4 1/4 inch hole or 4 11/16 like later 235/261? Not sure if GMC were different. I kicked around a sm465 but gave up becuse of weight and the large hole for the input shaft bearing housing. I wanted to retain the floor pedals and they connect to the earlier bell housing 4 1/4 that has the bolt bosses for the shaft mount. The cab on my 42 was a little better than yours --not much-- but I did use 6 -- 2 lb non flux spools in my 42 but that also included welding in a custom floor to clear the 700r4 bellhousing.

[dennislbrooks]

I am not an expert on 292 but the block bellhousing pattern should be the same as a v8. Not sure on the 270. Car bellhousing with a 4 11/16 inch hole and a truck bellhousing with a 5 1/8 hole. This may be more flexible for future trans changes. I do not know about the 292 motor mount location. If it is the same as the 42 or not. And this probably would require for clutch/brake pedal mods.

[2manyprojects]

The rear is a 52 housing with a 57 open drive line center. The center will bolt in the 42 housing but it just depends if I want to switch to bendix brakes from the original huck. I have a set of bendix front backing plates already.

I have several truck bellhousings from all years. I would like to use the original for the pedals but I will have to adapt to make a t5 work. The 4spd I have is a crash box completely different than a sm420/465. I don't mind no sychros I have driven heavy trucks. Its the slow shifting and bad gear splits for the way I drive. The 3spd is a bolt in. and is geared the same as the 65 that I drove daily. I don't mind spinning the snot out of a 6cyl on the highway, they are tougher than people give them credit for.

The GMC bellhousing is the same as 235/261 a t5 will bolt to the 47 and newer. The center hole is the same up to around 68 when they switched to the sm465. 292 bellhousing is v8 pattern with angled mounts and it has side mounts on the engine. I have a 1st 55 crossmember and aftermarket engine mounts for that swap.

If I switch to the T5 it will involve either rigging the pedals or trans mounting . At this point I don't know what im going to do . I have all the parts to go in several directions with it.

[dennislbrooks]

2Manyprojects, this is good info as I am working on the 46 3/4 ton and am using a 67 12 bolt for the rear --width is about right and I will move the perches and put shocks on rear. Like you I am using spare parts I have from my 67 changes. I already modified the front axle with a 57 front axle so I will have 6 bolts all way around and and cheaper and easier to get brake parts.. I will have an open driveshaft also and if my uncle wants a flatbed I will not section the frame for the new 79" bed sides he already has--not a longbed as a 3/4 would have had. It will not be a rear dual axle anymore ---heck maybe it is a ton instead of a 3/4. Not sure the options back then -it is an 8 lug but as I understand could be either. I have a good non sychro 4 speed with pto out of a 41 -- 1 1/2 ton. Do not need the pto but if flatbed could make it a dump bed -- no reason. Could get cylinder assembly and pump off the 1 1/2 ton.

If it is left as a long frame I will most likely need a carrier bearing from a 67-87 because of length. If I cut the frame --no need. It came with a closed driveshaft to the original carrier bearing then open after that. The 4 speed that came out was for original setup. Open all the way with the 1 1/2 ton 4 speed.

Good talking with you. I will watch your post and ponder your choices for my project.