VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Accepting suggestions for my 1947 engine swap.

I have a generator that came with the 54 - I have not gone far enough yet to see what it is off. Is there a certain number that I am looking for or would the generator off my 47 work for the 54.

I also have two other generators that came with my 47. The starter motor off my 47 should - according to previous posting - fit the 54 in that I am using the 47 bell housing and transmission. I also have two other starters that came with the 47.[b][/b]

I think I can figure out most other questions that come up however I will not hesitate to continue to come to VCCA for the final word.

If the 1954 generator is used you must use a 1954 regulator....actually there were two different generators. Also the mounting bracket may be different. No reason the 1947 generator could not be used if the narrow pulley was installed.
Would be best to use the 1954 Power Glide starter as it was "stronger" than the 1947 (that always can be changed later if the '47 dosen't work OK)

Could you provide for me some numbers as it relates to what Distributor will work for a 54 Power Glide 235 engine.

Also speak relating the vacuum assist. Should I find a distributor that works what number vacuum advance would work should there not be a va on the distributor.
Thank you!

Right, wrong, or indifferent, this is what I had in my 48.

62 235 eng with all 48 parts from flywheel/bell housing back.
48 distributor.
Left all 6 volt systems intact.
Orig 216 intake and exhaust systems with the elimination of the port rings on the intake. Low top later Rochester carb so I had use of orig choke and throttle cables. Timing was set by ear as PO had installed flywheel incorrectly and had timing mark set to no 5 instead of no 1. Heavy positive cable to starter and heavy shielded neg cable to bottom bolt of starter. Always started great regardless of weather conditions hot or cold. Ran smooth as glass with lots of power.

Jim.

While the 1947 distributor will work in a 1954 PG engine it has a forged gear for the forged camshat used til 1953. The 1954 PG engine has s a steel gear to match the steel camshaft. Also it will be a way to get away from the odd ball points used from 1941-mid 1948.
A 1955 and up distributor can be used as the 12 volt has no bearing on the ignition system other than the coil.
The problem with 1953 and 1954 engnes is srating with a hot engine. The 1954 PG starter had more field coils in the starter. A good '47 starter may do the job.

Distributors to use.
1112396 1954 Power Glide
1112403 1955-1962 235 cars - very common.
With either the vacuum advance is more to the rear of the dist. housing due to the motor mount bracket on those years.
The number is stamped into the dist. plate next to the points.

Should I have any interest in:
(1) Cardone Remanufactered Distributor - seen on many sites for a 1954 235.
or
(2) Chevs of the Forties - 1112358 listed to work for a 1954 chevrolet and other chevies.

The 112358 is for a 1950
you want it for a 1954 with Power Glide as the material of the other 1954 gears if different.
Try the 1955 and up. Should be easy to find and will work OK

I found a 1112403 in pretty good shape however it does not come with the vacuum advance.
Will I be able to find the vacuum advance number in the distributor?

Or, I bet you can -

can you give me the number of the vacuum advance so that I can find one and get it on the way here.

Wonderful help - thanks!

You could use the vacuum advance from the '47 or buy a new one from NAPA.

I will buy a new one - for a 54 235. Am trying to keep the 216 intact as much as I can. Thank you.

Ran into my first disappointment with the new engine this morning.

The plug on the oil pan leaks. No problem! Took it all down to my miracle worker Garage Owner and Bruce fixed it within about 30 minutes.

Good to go! Like you friends on VCCA it is good to have friends in the community that can help you over little hurdles.

Blessings & thanks!

Just about have the engine all ready for painting. Going to have a friend of mine that owns a collision center paint it for me.

However, I do have this question: What would be your recommendation for the exhaust system? Would you paint the intake the same as the engine? or leave it unpainted? Would you paint the exhaust? or leave it unpainted?

Please tell me how you handled this on your Chevrolet hobby.

Thank you.

Get some high temp exhaust paint from Chevies of the 40s or Filling Station. Paint the whole engine. Except the carb, gen, starter, etc. It will burn off so don't drive the car none afterwards if you want it to stay pristine. Trailer Queens have do not run long enough to damage the paint. "Drivers" do.

Actually, the paint on the intake and exhaust are supposed to look like they have been too hot. Especially the exhaust. Anything else is sort of cheating. Not really but not all of us can afford a nice trailer and resist the temptation to drive the car much. It is what it is.

You're welcome.

Charlie

BTW: I hope that visor has been given a decent burial.

I like my visor very much thank you!

originally the intake and exhaust manifolds were painted along with the rest of the engine. On mine I painted the intake with the engine color but used "cast iron gray" for the exhaust. The factory engine paint on the exhaust soon burned off and the rust color took over. While mine is not correct it does (in my opinion) look a little cleaner.

Thank you Steve

Your welcome. As an added note I purchased my high temp paint from a local stove shop.

Well the engine is painted and now waiting for the weather to get nice to be installed.

Used Eastwood Spray Max 2 K for the primer and a nice looking Gray for the engine with black being using on various add on pieces with the Chrome valve cover and Chrome push rod cover. And of course, orange on the oil cover lid.

Excited to get it into the old 47!

We need some pics to see your work !

Wondering: In that I am replacing my original 216 and keeping the original bell housing and transmission with a 235 from the 54 Chevrolet.......do I need or would it be better to pull the original bell housing and transmission in the process of pulling the engine OR should I just pull the engine and replace it with the 235.
Thank you!

I think it would be best to pull the transmission etc. with the engine. Make all the changeovers and install the 235 with the tranny already attached. Probably would be a good time to change the rear main seal-reface the flywheel and install a new clutch.

Thank you Steve

Continuing my 1954 235 exchange with my 216 in the 1947 "saga"!

With the flywheel coming off the 216 to be replaced into the bell housing of the 235 (using the same bell housing off the 1947 that is going into the 235) do I need to remember how it came off the 216 as I replace it into the bell housing on the 235? Is there any aligning I should be concerned with?

If I just put it on will it effect how I time the car?

Just clean-up the mating surfaces. Should be metal to metal with no paint on them.

Thank you