VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 Newer engine

I am considering installing a newer six cylinder engine into my 33 Master 5 window coupe. Does anyone have suggestions as to how new I can go and still fit in the car. Do I need an adapter to fit the bell housing? Or would I need to install a different bell housing? I will keep my existing engine on blocks in the garage.
Thanks for any help.

235, 216 Chevy engines will fit, you will need a '37 truck bellhousing and will have to cut/modify the rear engine cross member. The newer engines are a little shorter than the 207 so you will need to make a short set-back plate at the front motor mount. You do not need to cut the firewall. I've done this several times.

Thanks Ron. That is exactly the information I was hoping for.

10/4. You need to modify the rear engine crossmember do that you can remove the oil pan when necessary. You can cut the center out and weld a 1/2" x 1 1/2" flat bar across or you can heat the existing cross member red hot and hammer the horizontal sections flat (vertical). Either way just make sure you can remove the oil pan in the future. I say to use the '37 truck bellhousing as it is drilled to fit to the 235, 261 (maybe GMC 228, 270, 302) block and has the clutch and brake pedal boss in the right place to use your existing brake and clutch assembly. The upgradeed engine will be more power than you can use unless you change the rear axle but then you're getting into the hot-rod area, which I don't know much about. Unless you are a purist the new engine will vastly improve the driveability and performance of the car. The cross-member is the only thing that has to be modified on the car. You can figure out what to do with the rear motor-mounts, I use the mounts for the truck (I think they are different from the car). The rear mounts are attached by a single bolt to the cross-member so don't cut beyond where they originally mount. Usually the motor mounts at the rear and transmission are shot so you will probably need to rebuild them. Don't waste your money on having them re-vulcanized, you can easily rebuild them yourself. Just bend the parts apart, remove the old rotton rubber and replace it with some heavy belting, then rivet them back together, save yourself a couple hundred.

ron

Once again I want to thank you for the information Ron. When or if I decide to do this it will go a lot smoother because of your help.

Dennis

Is the only reason to alter the crossmember to facilitate removal of the oil pan? I'm considering a short term replacement with a 216 ci, but won't do if modifications to the frame are necessary.
Thanks,

I think you can install the 216 without modifying the cross member but you will not be able to remove the oil pan, measure distance from rear motor mount holes to front of crossmember. If you alter the cross member it's no big deal to replace it at another time if you want, just grind off the rivets and replace it. The 216 is a great engine and can take a lot.

"Greencorn" -- Ron, I left you a PM>

Gene