47-55.1 Engine swap

[Dachshund]

My BIL wants to know how hard - and what would need done - to drop a 64-65 230 into an AD truck? I THINK the 230 is a couple inches longer????

[Volfandt]

Some basics:
The 230 is longer by a couple inches. He'll probably have to go with electric fans unless he gets real creative with relocating the radiator forward some.

He'll need to swap out the entire drive train to an open driveshaft and rearend unless he can CNC some kind of adapter to bolt to the existing tranny/torque tube setup. I don't believe theres an adapter available for this and haven't heard of anyone going this route....

I recently swapped out a blown 250 with an SBC in a 49 GMC and the frame mounted motor mounts remained the same for both, only difference being the upper engine mounts. The tranny (TH350), rearend (80's Nova) and driveshaft bolted right up to the SBC. So whatever you read and research for an SBC swap into an AD will be pertinent to a 230/250/292 swap with the exception of radiator clearance, which can be worked around.

It's alot of work but worth it in the fun factor.
Good luck
Dave

[mr48chev]

If the truck is a 48 or later all he needs is a Cast iron 55/59 V8 bellhousing. The stock 3 or 4 speed will bolt right to it.

That is how my truck was done in when I bought with a 194 in 1973. The previous owner had done the swap several years before.

If he has a 54 or first gen 55 the bellhousing will bolt right on if he has a 48/53 he will have to modify the top of the center crossmember a bit to get the V8 mounts to set down on the older crossmember but it is't rocket science. a bit of cutting and a bit of welding.

He will have to come up with or make some side mounts. Chassis engineering did sell a nice set but they haven't been advertising them since the company sold and moved.

The big issue is the fan/water pump shaft to radiator clearnce. I cut the shaft on the pump down on mine after pressing the hub back so I could run a shorter pulley. I'd suggest that and an electric fan I don't like pusher fans that well but he may have to use a pusher fan.

[mick53]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

If the truck is a 48 or later all he needs is a Cast iron 55/59 V8 bellhousing. The stock 3 or 4 speed will bolt right to it.

That is how my truck was done in when I bought with a 194 in 1973. The previous owner had done the swap several years before.

If he has a 54 or first gen 55 the bellhousing will bolt right on if he has a 48/53 he will have to modify the top of the center crossmember a bit to get the V8 mounts to set down on the older crossmember but it is't rocket science. a bit of cutting and a bit of welding.

He will have to come up with or make some side mounts. Chassis engineering did sell a nice set but they haven't been advertising them since the company sold and moved.

The big issue is the fan/water pump shaft to radiator clearnce. I cut the shaft on the pump down on mine after pressing the hub back so I could run a shorter pulley. I'd suggest that and an electric fan I don't like pusher fans that well but he may have to use a pusher fan.

I've got some bellhousings laying around but it might be easier to find one local than ship it. A lot of people have them laying around.