stock '54 chevy question for v-8 conversion

[Superron21]

a buddy has a nice original 54 1/2 ton, a driver with the stock 235 3 on the tree, can we swap in a 283 and still use his tranny? the 283 has the old cast iron bell housing that has the starter mounted to it, will it fit his trans? i know the 235 bellhousing is mounted to the crossmember and that holds up the trans and rear of the 235, i just dont know if the 283 bellhousing will be mounting the same because i think 1 is flat and the other has beveled sides.thanks, ron

[slimone]

Hi, Been many years since I did that but seams to me that the old six bellhouseing will fit the 283 also, Now might not be right about just going by memory an getting old , lol check it out. good luck Slimone

[solidaxel]

I am using one on my 55 1st series and hanging a alumn. Tremac 5 speed off of it and I do not have a crossmember under the rear of the transmission. The weight of the gear box is 100 lb.. Is your drive shaft open or a closed torque tube?

[Superron21]

its open, what i dont know is.... do the the '54 bell housings mount flat? cuz i know the '66 283 bellhousing has got the tapered sides, someone told me i might have to put a wedge on each side to make up for the gap?

[solidaxel]

The bellhousing should match the engine the gearbox you want to keep, right. You will need to have motor mounts for the frame to accept the V-8 and a flywheel and clutch. Was that your question?

[Superron21]

yes, i know about the v-8 mounts and clutch, i dont know if the '66 283 bellhousing will fit the '54 crossmember because the 235 bellhousing is flat on the bottom, and the other isnt

[gentry69]

i dont think the crossmember will work but u can get a engine crossmember for it through chevy duty and i think u can get one for the trans i no u can for an automatic

[Superron21]

thanks everybody, sorry for the cornfusion, i get misunderstood alot, must be my A.D.D kickin in or it could be my A.D.D, either that or its A.D.D.