47-55.1 New 51 owner with some questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crushermechanic · 11-28-2021, 09:41 PM

I just got a 51 Chevy with a great original frame and decent cab. My plan is to build a street rod. I will probably get flamed for my plan but I have a 500+ hp 440 built from a project that fell through. Has anyone done this before? Does the firewall have to be modified to fit. I am going with ifs and possibly a 4 link. I know it will be a challenge but the end result will be worth it

mr48chev · 11-29-2021, 12:14 AM

The horsepower isn't an issue but I'd recommend boxing the frame.

The big problem rather than length is width. While they are long and you will probably have to push back the firewall around the engine several inches they are extra wide and the oil filter is in the wrong place for almost all swaps into older rigs. It doesn't matter what you swap them into that wasn't post mid 60's Mopar they are WIDE and the oil filter has to be swapped for a remote filter kit.

Assuming that you are planning on an MII or Jag CJ or other front end swap that makes dealing with the steering a little easier. Stock steering with an I beam isn't going to work at all with that engine.

This chart gives the dimensions of a number of popular engines http://www.carnut.com/specs/engdim.html

**joedoh** · 11-29-2021, 02:38 AM

my brother and I like to squabble but one thing we agree on is that the 440 is probably a better engine than the iconic hemi, dollar for dollar.

I havent seen many mopar swaps (the one I remember was a slant 6, another fav engine of mine) but cant be much different than any other engie swap. start a project thread in the project section and I will read it voraciously!

mr48chev · 11-29-2021, 03:50 AM

A lot of guys at Woodburn drag strip near Portland Oregon used to run 440's in a wide variety of cars. Get a decent running engine out of a donor car, stick a cam in it and go racing.

crushermechanic · 11-29-2021, 02:08 PM

The frame already has a Mopar 8 3/4 rear installed by someone in the past. Boxing the frame is a must. I have done a few quick measurements and it will be tight. I will have to get a rear sump oil pan.

mr48chev · 11-29-2021, 06:32 PM

You will probably have to think outside of the box on this one and at times you are going to have to glue a new box together but I don't think you are going into it blind.

One of my students had a 53 3100 that one of his uncles had stuck a 390 Ford in and had torched out a section of the frame rail to clear the oil filter and had done nothing to reinforce it. I was afraid that the frame would break in two because he drove it pretty hard.

crushermechanic · 11-29-2021, 09:40 PM

I can cut and weld anything. I set a bare block I have in this afternoon and I am going to have to rework or replace the firewall and cut the mounts down. I am looking forward to the challenge. My wife and I just want something different than everyone else. I have a pile of parts to start with.

mr48chev · 11-30-2021, 06:26 PM

I'd suggest setting the core support in place and with something to use to get the space needed to clear the radiator work from radiator clearance back.

crushermechanic · 11-30-2021, 09:42 PM

I have the original radiator and was wondering if it would cool the BB. It is a solid copper radiator. I plan on using electric fans. I got a mustang front end today when I was at the scrap yard. I don't know if I need to fit that first or the engine

11-28-2021, 09:41 PM	#1
crushermechanic Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fort Walton Beach, Fl Posts: 357	New 51 owner with some questions I just got a 51 Chevy with a great original frame and decent cab. My plan is to build a street rod. I will probably get flamed for my plan but I have a 500+ hp 440 built from a project that fell through. Has anyone done this before? Does the firewall have to be modified to fit. I am going with ifs and possibly a 4 link. I know it will be a challenge but the end result will be worth it

11-29-2021, 12:14 AM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,287	Re: New 51 owner with some questions The horsepower isn't an issue but I'd recommend boxing the frame. The big problem rather than length is width. While they are long and you will probably have to push back the firewall around the engine several inches they are extra wide and the oil filter is in the wrong place for almost all swaps into older rigs. It doesn't matter what you swap them into that wasn't post mid 60's Mopar they are WIDE and the oil filter has to be swapped for a remote filter kit. Assuming that you are planning on an MII or Jag CJ or other front end swap that makes dealing with the steering a little easier. Stock steering with an I beam isn't going to work at all with that engine. This chart gives the dimensions of a number of popular engines http://www.carnut.com/specs/engdim.html __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

11-29-2021, 02:38 AM	#3
joedoh Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Doodah Kansas Posts: 7,747	Re: New 51 owner with some questions my brother and I like to squabble but one thing we agree on is that the 440 is probably a better engine than the iconic hemi, dollar for dollar. I havent seen many mopar swaps (the one I remember was a slant 6, another fav engine of mine) but cant be much different than any other engie swap. start a project thread in the project section and I will read it voraciously! __________________ the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393

11-29-2021, 03:50 AM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,287	Re: New 51 owner with some questions A lot of guys at Woodburn drag strip near Portland Oregon used to run 440's in a wide variety of cars. Get a decent running engine out of a donor car, stick a cam in it and go racing. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

11-29-2021, 02:08 PM	#5
crushermechanic Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fort Walton Beach, Fl Posts: 357	Re: New 51 owner with some questions The frame already has a Mopar 8 3/4 rear installed by someone in the past. Boxing the frame is a must. I have done a few quick measurements and it will be tight. I will have to get a rear sump oil pan.

11-29-2021, 06:32 PM	#6
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,287	Re: New 51 owner with some questions You will probably have to think outside of the box on this one and at times you are going to have to glue a new box together but I don't think you are going into it blind. One of my students had a 53 3100 that one of his uncles had stuck a 390 Ford in and had torched out a section of the frame rail to clear the oil filter and had done nothing to reinforce it. I was afraid that the frame would break in two because he drove it pretty hard. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

11-29-2021, 09:40 PM	#7
crushermechanic Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fort Walton Beach, Fl Posts: 357	Re: New 51 owner with some questions I can cut and weld anything. I set a bare block I have in this afternoon and I am going to have to rework or replace the firewall and cut the mounts down. I am looking forward to the challenge. My wife and I just want something different than everyone else. I have a pile of parts to start with.

11-30-2021, 06:26 PM	#8
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,287	Re: New 51 owner with some questions I'd suggest setting the core support in place and with something to use to get the space needed to clear the radiator work from radiator clearance back. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

11-30-2021, 09:42 PM	#9
crushermechanic Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fort Walton Beach, Fl Posts: 357	Re: New 51 owner with some questions I have the original radiator and was wondering if it would cool the BB. It is a solid copper radiator. I plan on using electric fans. I got a mustang front end today when I was at the scrap yard. I don't know if I need to fit that first or the engine



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