I'm planning on swapping out the 235 from my 58 Delray in favour for a 348 tri-power. The car still has the 3-in-the-tree stick and I want to keep it that way. The 348 was mated to a TH350 in an earlier life. Apart from a bellhousing, engine frame mounts and a fan shroud, what do I need to make this happen? I heard talk of an issue with the end of an "automatic" versus a "stick" crank?
Thanks guys.
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I'm no GM expert, but I know some cranks were not drilled/machined for the pilot bushing. Hopefully this is the only difference, and is a fairly simple fix.
The engine swap won't be too bad, since the 348 was a factory option. For the front mounts you will need V-8 frame brackets (same as a small block)
but make sure to get a 168 tooth flexplate, because the 348 block is not drilled for a 153 tooth starter.
In addition you will need to shorten the front drive shaft......... For the rear mount you can either get an aftermarket crossmember, or cobble your own.
Chris, I have a bell housing for a 168 tooth flywheel if you need one. Bring the beer and go home with it OK? You may get lucky and be able to use your original bell IF the 6 has a 168 flywheel. The only other problem I can see in the future is the front ring on the shifter synchro drum. They are the weak link in the 3 speed trans. I learned that from experience in, by the way, a 58 Belair hdtp
-- Edited by Rochie on Tuesday 15th of January 2013 08:54:22 AM
The clutch Z bar may be different for the 348 if it was mounted off the block. As far as the crank, if you have the block ID it may tell you what wes on it when built. My buddy's son is doing a 348 in a 58 2DR as well.
-- Edited by henrys57wagon on Tuesday 15th of January 2013 10:14:47 AM
58 was the 1st yr. for side mounted engine mounts & crossmember on transmission. You;ll also need a flywheel, clutch, assy. & throw out brg & fork. Some of this might work off the old 6 cyl stuff??? D/shaft won't have to be touched seeing as your using org. 3 spd. stick
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Chris, I have a bell housing for a 168 tooth flywheel if you need one. Bring the beer and go home with it OK? You may get lucky and be able to use your original bell IF the 6 has a 168 flywheel. The only other problem I can see in the future is the front ring on the shifter synchro drum. They are the weak link in the 3 speed trans. I learned that from experience in, by the way, a 58 Belair hdtp
-- Edited by Rochie on Tuesday 15th of January 2013 08:54:22 AM
-- Edited by Chris58 on Tuesday 15th of January 2013 06:11:38 PM
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Member of Brantford Piston Pushers and a Disciple of Speed of the E.L.T.A.
I'm no GM expert, but I know some cranks were not drilled/machined for the pilot bushing. Hopefully this is the only difference, and is a fairly simple fix.
How involved is this "fairly simple fix"?
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Front springs should be swapped, that 348 will weigh a lot more, unless you want the lower stance
Lower is a good thing Wolfman. Was planning on nipping a coil or two when the time comes anyways, if need be. This is going to be a "dirty" custom. Cheap and simple. Lots of pin stripes too.
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Chris, I have a bell housing for a 168 tooth flywheel if you need one. Bring the beer and go home with it OK? You may get lucky and be able to use your original bell IF the 6 has a 168 flywheel. The only other problem I can see in the future is the front ring on the shifter synchro drum. They are the weak link in the 3 speed trans. I learned that from experience in, by the way, a 58 Belair hdtp
-- Edited by Rochie on Tuesday 15th of January 2013 08:54:22 AM
Sounds like a deal Rochie. I'll be bringing the beer next time I'm down your way. THANKS!
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Chris, yrs. ago I ran into a Chevy crank that was too smal for Pilot bushing, all I had to do was 'Mic" the hole & had the bushing "turned' too that size!!! No big deal!!! You maybe able to get a undersize bushing nowdays if this has been a recuring problem????
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I can only please one person a day, Today is not your day!!Tomorrow doesn't look good either !!!!
Chris, yrs. ago I ran into a Chevy crank that was too smal for Pilot bushing, all I had to do was 'Mic" the hole & had the bushing "turned' too that size!!! No big deal!!! You maybe able to get a undersize bushing nowdays if this has been a recuring problem????
Good to know. I will look into that. Thanks Pete.
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chris I've got a 168 tooth flywheel for a 10.5" clutch. Also a bellhousing. might even be a fork in that pile of stuff I bought. I think I've seen on the 345-409 site a part # for the smaller bushing.
I'm no GM expert, but I know some cranks were not drilled/machined for the pilot bushing. Hopefully this is the only difference, and is a fairly simple fix.
How involved is this "fairly simple fix"?
I drilled a 318 crank for a pilot bushing years ago with the crank still in the car. I machined an adaptor that bolted to the back of the crank using the existing flex-plate holes, and I made 2 "drill" bushings to fit inside the adaptor, one was the finished size of the hole, and the other 1/64 under size. I drilled the hole first with the small bushing, then reamed with the bigger one. The bushings were thick enough that they kept the drill and reamer square. It worked great !!
chris I've got a 168 tooth flywheel for a 10.5" clutch. Also a bellhousing. might even be a fork in that pile of stuff I bought. I think I've seen on the 345-409 site a part # for the smaller bushing.
Thanks Brian...I'll take all the help I can get.
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Member of Brantford Piston Pushers and a Disciple of Speed of the E.L.T.A.
I'm no GM expert, but I know some cranks were not drilled/machined for the pilot bushing. Hopefully this is the only difference, and is a fairly simple fix.
How involved is this "fairly simple fix"?
I drilled a 318 crank for a pilot bushing years ago with the crank still in the car. I machined an adaptor that bolted to the back of the crank using the existing flex-plate holes, and I made 2 "drill" bushings to fit inside the adaptor, one was the finished size of the hole, and the other 1/64 under size. I drilled the hole first with the small bushing, then reamed with the bigger one. The bushings were thick enough that they kept the drill and reamer square. It worked great !!
I don't have the resources (or talent) to do something like that, but I think my engine shop can do it no sweat. Thanks Hemi...you're a wealth of know-how.
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i am enjoying reading this thread. there are some smarts here. as a kid i would of just jumped into it. did a 58 348 to 327 swap in the day. i would be willing to bet 3 beers the 348 crank is drilled. they started life as a truck engine and how many trucks in the day were auto's. guessing?
4 years of cars having them as well. Chris's block is an earlier block so could have been in a car. The cranks for the powerglide equipped vehicles had a small hole.
-- Edited by entourageguy on Tuesday 22nd of January 2013 02:42:48 PM
4 years of cars having them as well. Chris's block is an earlier block so could have been in a car. The cranks for the powerglide equipped vehicles had a small hole.
-- Edited by entourageguy on Tuesday 22nd of January 2013 02:42:48 PM
i can't disagree, can't remember. i know there was something in the day that we used a different bushing. up-down i don't remember.
get'r it out chris--the suspence is killing me lol
4 years of cars having them as well. Chris's block is an earlier block so could have been in a car. The cranks for the powerglide equipped vehicles had a small hole.
-- Edited by entourageguy on Tuesday 22nd of January 2013 02:42:48 PM
Brian's hit what i had way back when!!! The engine I got from the wreckers back then was out of a 57 chev P/glide & was installing it in my 55 2dr. post. Pilot bushing was too big for "crank" hole & had it turned down. Founf out later that the "jobber" store had a undersize one listed !!! So this must have cropped up back then too. Talking late 60's here guys & girls!!
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I can only please one person a day, Today is not your day!!Tomorrow doesn't look good either !!!!
I stopped in to see my favourite engine builder, Douglas Engine in Brantford, this morning. There is a simple solution to the pilot bushing. Like Pete said, different sizes in stock.
(Don Douglas was the original president of the Piston Pushers in 1954 and is still building engines. He and his son have built 3 for me already and I'd go back for future builds for sure.)
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Member of Brantford Piston Pushers and a Disciple of Speed of the E.L.T.A.
jeez i'm gett'n old. wish you hadn't dated that. lol
Brian's hit what i had way back when!!! The engine I got from the wreckers back then was out of a 57 chev P/glide & was installing it in my 55 2dr. post. Pilot bushing was too big for "crank" hole & had it turned down. Founf out later that the "jobber" store had a undersize one listed !!! So this must have cropped up back then too. Talking late 60's here guys & girls!!
