Straight 8 fitment?

[53 292]

I just got a 1950 chevy that I want to eventually put a unique power plant in besides the tried and true 350 small block. I have a 292 6 in my 53, so I'm wondering if a Buick straight 8 would fit in the engine bay. I would go measure for myself but I'm away from both truck for a while. I've tossed around the idea of the straight 8, nailhead, 331 caddy and a 348 chevy. If anyone has more unique suggestions feel free to chime in. Thanks

[Chevette]

I think your idea of the 348 is solid. But tell everybody it's a 409.

[va4cqd]

a nailhead would be my choice

[53 292]

I'd LOVE to get my hands on a 409 but the 348 will have to do like you said. I'll have to do some research on the performance parts for those. I'm leaning towards a nailhead too, but I've heard they don't like manual transmissions behind them for whatever reason

[torchlight]

This doesn't seem to fit the theme of the older-school motors you listed, but in case any part of your brain is tempted to go for a modern powerplant, I was strongly considering a Vortec 4200 straight 6 for my build. They are absolutely incredible engines. I ended up going with an LS V8 instead, but I often find myself thinking about the modern straight 6 option instead.

[Zach B]

With modifications it will fit. A short shaft water pump would be needed. Then take a note from Pontiac and cut the firewall back a hair. (Yes they did that)

[53 292]

I did have the idea of going with an Ls series series motor but I don't know if I would know how to hook up all the electronics. I wouldn't mind a modern 6.0 or 6.2. Just for the cool factor and not to mention some reliability. Which ls did you go with torch? I'm mainly getting ideas together for when I start this project after college. And thanks Zach, I'll check out the measurements when I'm back home.

[53 292]

Oh and I'm kinda liking that vortec 4200 option too. From 06 and up they put out 291hp, not too bad. I might have to start checking out some wrecking yards around here.

[G&R's57GMC]

Speaking of Pontiac how about the OHC 6 IF you could find one.

[53 292]

That's a cool engine, seems like it was ahead of it's time. It would probably be pretty hard to find with only a four year run but I'll keep it in mind. Thanks

[1project2many]

If you like heavy iron, how about a 60 deg V6 truck engine? Smallest displaced 305 cubes, largest was 476 cubes. There's also a 635 CI 8 cylinder and a 702 CI "twin six" V12 engine.
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2013/05/...history-alley/

http://6066gmcclub.com/gmcguy/gmcv6a.html

If you'd like to lighten the load, Oldsmobile and Buick used an aluminum 215 CI V8 in the early '60s. The engine had issues in original form, but after GM sold it to Rover (from England) many of the bugs got worked out and since the original design, versions as large as 4.6 liters have been used to power Range Rovers as recently as 2002. Many parts are available for this engine family including fuel injected intakes, turbo manifolds, high compression pistons, etc.

http://www.aluminumv8.com/tech/tech.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rover_V8_engine

[spreader]

Fellow here in town has a Cummins 4BT in his. Solid truck, sounds great, no smoke & runs good. Neighbor has a Mopar 440 in his that replaced a Pontiac 400. Was a ***** of a job tho. But his truck sits on a modified 77 Pontiac leMans frame. Turned out nice too. I know where you can buy a complete 270 Hemi early 50's. I've seen one with a 3-53 Detroit even, but that was a long time ago. A 4.3 V6 Chevey truck engine would be a good choice, IMO.

[lmdangerous]

I am intrested in the 4200- late six as well . Anyone done that swap yet????

[_Ogre]

a friend of mine was going to sbc his 52 buick w/ straight 8 322.
he was going to donate the motor to my panel project.
it's a really long motor, but i think it would be a head turner at shows.

[1-ton of fun]

I may be pulling my straight eight at some point from my 53 special, but probably hanging on to it for a model t roadster project

[Coupeguy2001]

only problem with the straight 8 is that there are limited horsepower parts for it.
That's the beauty of a small block chevy, lotsa parts, and they are reasonable, because a chevy v8 has been put into everything made on wheels .

[53 292]

Awesome suggestions and ideas here guys that's exactly what I was looking for. I think I'd like to keep it to where the engine looks like it belongs in there. I have plenty of time to think about it too, just trying to get some cool ideas rolling. Thanks for the links too, I'll start looking into engines that have some aftermarket parts available for them.

[_Ogre]

speed parts? that would shoot the straight eight idea all to heck
though you could do a turbo and make a nice split header

[1project2many]

peed parts? that would shoot the straight eight idea all to heck
though you could do a turbo and make a nice split header

As I was learning about my stock '36 Plymouth, I was surprised to find they used fully pressurized bearings and designed the block so the valves received a major portion of the cooling. That old flat six really would be a good candidate for a turbo. And Chrysler was nice enough to make a 300+ CI version for military equipment all the way into the '60s. I wouldn't expect a mopar flathead six under the hood of an AD truck. It would definitely get my attention for a bit. The old Caddy and the early Hemi engines are also both neat swaps. Installing a Ford Y block would get people in both Ford and Chevy clubs up in arms.

Don't be afraid to mix old and new technology though. It's neat to put in an old powerplant but retrofitting it with modern electronic spark control and EFI can make a new engine out of an old boat anchor. A straight eight with a multiple TBI intake and a header would be very cool imo and should run circles around the original configuration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDoA4HJNf-I

[53 292]

That video is awesome! I don't know if I have the skills to build up something quite like that but it would definitely be a head turner. Do people fab their own manifolds and stuff for these old motors? Not just the straight 8 but just in general for engines that don't have much of an after market selection.

[gale]

Originally Posted by 53 292

I just got a 1950 chevy that I want to eventually put a unique power plant in besides the tried and true 350 small block. I have a 292 6 in my 53, so I'm wondering if a Buick straight 8 would fit in the engine bay. I would go measure for myself but I'm away from both truck for a while. I've tossed around the idea of the straight 8, nailhead, 331 caddy and a 348 chevy. If anyone has more unique suggestions feel free to chime in. Thanks

The inline 8 is going to be in the cab with you. The "tried and true 350 small block" is still a tight fit at the distributor cap and even tighter at the steering box.

I think an older Buick V8 may be narrower or it may just appear that way due to upright rocker covers.

The 292 is a great engine.

[Zach B]

Actually in 1917 chevy produced an engine much like the the the Buick V8 with upright rockers. I'm not sure that something that old and rare (if you can even find one) is something I would want to use. Chevy quit making that type of engine because it was to expensive at the time to be profitable.