47-55.1 47 Thriftmaster engine swap

[jeffbcn]

I can get a 235 from a 53 belair. It came attached to a powerglide.
My question is can i use it with my sm420 and put an 848 head on it. Should i also use a 261 camshaft?

[Second Series]

I had a 235 from a DelRey installed in my '47 Thriftmaster. I later had a sm420 from a dumptruck put in too, so I know it can be done. I got a shortened shaft water pump, but the radiator is also mounted forward, so I think an unmodified waterpump would work if you mount the radiator forward.

[jeffbcn]

It already had a 235 out of a 62 pickup. Still need to modify?

[Second Series]

May need a pilot bushing? to go from automatic to manual transmission. I have the hydraulic lifters, they work fine.

[mr48chev]

53 Bel Air powerglide 235 should be a pressure oiled engine so that is a plus.

The pilot bushing install could be an issue if the crank isn't drilled for a pilot bushing.

The water pump issue isn't a big deal and surely not worth the uproar. There are several ways around that if the pump shaft is too long.


I don't see any gain with a 261 Cam and it might be a loss performance wise Plus as Second series said the hydraulic lifters are pretty nice to have in a lot of respects.

[jeffbcn]

How about 848 head on that?

[mr48chev]

I'm not really into the older sixes performance wise. I have rebuilt a number of them back to stock over he past 50 something years but naever changed parts around to get a performance boost. You might snoop around on https://www.stovebolt.com/ to see what the theory is. Unless there was a need to pull the head I'd probably leave it as and drive it a while.