Advice-- 348 in a '53

[nufsed]

I have a '53 Chevy 210 Club Coupe that I am wanting to build like a late 50's/early 60's hot rod. I am wanting to put a 348 in it. Has anyone done this and/or does anyone have any advice?

[JimKwiatkowski]

nufsed,I've been reading your (new guy) post and seems like you don't like rack & pinion steering?I've got 409 in my 57 I've sent many hours and beers thinking how I'm going to make this this 09 work with the orginal oil pan and some 2" headers.I don't know how much room you have between your frame rails but I'll bet it's close to 57.

You need to mount your steering gear in front of your crossmember to get your clearence for your oil pan and headers.you could us a manaul gear from a Camaro,Vega any manual gear.I chose a Pinto rack & pinon.

[Va348]

Jim

Was not easy to put a W in that 57 was it?


I put 09 in 56 Chev in about 1967 Stock 340 HP ex Would not work on Driver side. Had to get a 348 still had to cut and braze.

53 is Narrow than 55-57 A sm block is not a cake walk.

would be a cool ride with a bolt in pinto set up woulding IT!


Dale

[348NUT]

I saw a 54 last summer with a Big Block. IT was a tight fit and he had cut the cowl braces to fit it, but it did look cool! I put a 348 in my 55 and it looks factory to me. :deal Come to the convention and see how I did it. ;) I have stock steering and modified my 348 pan to fit. But man a 53 looks way more crowded than a 55! I also know that where there's a will there's a way. May the torch be with you! :p NUT

[bobs409]

I don't know how a '53 engine compartment is designed but if exhaust and oil pan are the main problems, I ran into similar when putting a 409 into my 66 Chevelle.

On that car, the crossmember runs across under the engine unlike the full size. I had my pan modified to clear that and I had headers hand built on the car to fit. No stock manifolds or store bought headers would work.

I also had to go with manual steering but that I'm happy with anyway.

As a last tip, you could always grease the inner fenderwells a bit to get it in there. :D :D :D

[nufsed]

I'm not afraid of the manual steering either. In fact, when you have a 20" steering wheel anyway :) I think it looks cool to be grabbin that thing one tug at a time. I am just most concerned with gettin' somethin' cool in between those fenders. Having exhaust manifolds or headers custom made and oil pans....? Sounds like a little too much work. I may have to stick with the original small block plan. I really wanted to throw a 348 in there though. That would be sweet! I can't imagine that it's never been done though. :dunno

[348NUT]

I'm sure it's been done but I've never seen one! When I get back from KC I'll look at a 54 I have and see what I think it would take. Don't give up yet. If you want to be different This is the ticket! :deal NUT

[JimKwiatkowski]

I wouldn't give up without even trying you don't need headers and custom oil pans.What I would do is take the fenders off and if you have a 348 drop it between the frame rails and see what you to make it fit. You can use your stock exhaust manifolds and for your oil pan you may have to cut a section out and weld some sheet metal in place to clear your steering linkage.Your stock exhaust manifold might clear your steering gear.

Here's photo of my rack & pinion in the 57

[blown348]

Actually there is more room for w-motor in 49-54 chevy than in 55-57 chevy.
I am putting 348 to 50 fleetline. You have to cut cowl brases and modify firewall.
It will clear steering and you don´t have to modify oil pan. Not sure if original exhaust will clear but it is possible it will(will be close the steering box).

[nufsed]

Awesome! That's what I was looking for. I was counting on shaving the re-inforcement braces on the firewall (I've already done one of 'em) but the rest of the information is good news :brow What did you use for motor mounts and such? Did you fabricate your own? Are you using the stock suspension? What else did you have to do to the firewall? Sorry for all the questions. :)

[Va348]

Nufsed

Now thats what this Site is about! (Blown348) is going to have your problems work out. maybe both of you can work to better.

Keep it on here so we can all learn, please. Man that 53 would be COOL!


Great Deal!

Dale

[blown348]

I have chassis engineering inc bolt on motor mount kit for sbc which is bolted like their instructions says. I do have stock front suspension. I had to make bigger trans tunnel but i am using manual trans w/ steel scattershield which is lot bigger than original.

[nufsed]

So you were able to use a small block motor mount kit and install it without modifying it? What kind of trans are you using? Thank you so much for the information!!

[blown348]

Small block mounts will bolt strait to w-block without any modification.
I am using muncie 21 manualbox behind 348

[nufsed]

Perfect! That's just what I needed to know. Thank you so much.

[Tman]

I happen to have a 54 with a small block. I measured it up for a W motor as well. Maybe when this mill is worn out?

Dont worry about peeling the cowl braces off. Most folks dont realize that they actually were added to hold the body as it went down the assembly line! Didnt get in the way with a 6er but when we add a V8 they suck! Just trim em off cleanly.

Also, the ECI dual master cylider kit works well and will replace your single res MC. I also used Chassis Eng motor mounts and tranny mounts. The ECI brake will clear the automatic you want to run as it uses the stock pedal.

The W motor stock manifolds SHOULD clear but you will prob want to lose the air vent tubes.