VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 53 CHANGE OVER

I'M THINKING OF CHANGING MY 53 PICKUP OVER TO A 350.DO THEY MAKE A CONVERSION KIT FOR THE SIDE MOUNTS AND WILL A REAR END AND RUNNING GEAR FROM A 75 PICKUP BE MUCH OF A PROBLEM TO INSTALL? THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR THE HELP. KRNUT

I ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF 216 ENGINES AND A 235 WITH A POWERGLIDE TRANNY FOR SALE.

putting a 75 rearend and drive train in a 53 pickup? It won't be any more trouble than shoehorning in the 350 engine, and will probably be necessary since the torque tube and 3 speed would not be too good behind a 350. You would probably get more info on this modification from one of the street rod sites, we tend to keep everything original on our VCCA cars and trucks.

This is a good place to advertise your 216 and 235 engines (on parts for sale)

Macky Wacky is right....a street rod site would be the place to go for additional information. At any rate, I have a friend who has an updated V-8 engine, tranny and rear end in his '51 pickup. Email me and I will give you his email address and he might be able to help you out.

The guys are right about checking a street rod site.

I can tell you that a rear end from a 1975 Chevrolet truck is way to wide. I used one from a 1965 Chevelle on my 1954 truck and it was about the right width. The rear ends from any of the S-10 trucks are a good match, my choice would be one that came from a S-10 with the 4.3 V6 engine.