VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 350 turbo in a '53 chevy convertible

Hello, was wondering if anyone knew what modifications would be necessary to install a 350 chevy transmission in a '53 Chevy 210 convertible? My main concern is the different "X" frame of the convertible model. Thanks for your help in advance.

Hello there Idaho,

Nice to see another post about another 53' Rag Top. Well, There's a good reason for that X member on your frame. What follows is only MY opinion, not anyone else's as I myself am no expert on the subject...just another 53 Conv. owner of 26 years.

As you know, your Chevy (and mine) are topless...hence the the extra reinforced frame... for strentgh, weight, stability factors and proper operation and no door flexing!

As you also know as well, The V8 was not available in these models.
The V8 was introduced in 1955, I believe. Nice power houses, but not available on your car or mine.

What you are after here, is a completely different set up and a pure modification. I am not certain why, but thats your business, not mine.

Honestly, I am not sure if this forum would be the best place to ask about that kind of thing. No offense intended...Hot Rod magazine or delux magazine may be better avenues for you to investigate your interest.

I like Hot Rods too they are beautiful machines...but, there is a simple satisfaction that comes from a true Restoration and many reasons why as well.

Certainly, I cant tell you what to do with your car, but I should hope that with just under 25,000 of these Beautiful Ragtop Models produced in 1953 ( Who knows how many have survived or are still on the road today) That somehow, you might reconsider what you are really giving up before you start 'Choppin' away on your old topless gal there.

No one can make that decision for you but yourself, I am only suggesting you think it over. Just think about it. This VCCA club was founded on the idea of preservation and restoration of these great Chevrolet vehicles.

What you have there is well worth your while to consider, carefully, value wise. You may go through alot of expense, for something you wished you had not done, later.

Thats it...no more preachin'! I'm Just a friend of old Rag Tops.

Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

Sincerely and respectfully yours,
Elvis Ray
TCB

PS>If you have other Classically Restored cars or if by some miracle, this message made sense to you...I would gladly recommend the following suppliers to you:

The Filling Station in Oregon.
Chev's of the forty's in Washington.
Kanter auto on the East coast, New Jersey, I think.
Hydro-Electric in Florida.
Chevrolet obsolete Georgia .

There are lots more in the monthy club magazine as well. But, these are folks that over the years have been good reliable sources for me. OK, nuff said...I'll go mind my own business now friend.

My Best regards to you and happy motoring!
See the USA in your Chevrolet!

A really well written statement of the purpose of VCCA and a great appeal to save the car as is rather than street rodding it. There is a 54 ragtop here that has had the 350/350 combo installed it looks good, runs good, and in a sense is another one saved for the future but saved within the owners idea of what he wants of the car. Hated to see it happen but it is on the street and visible.

Elvis Ray - Nicely said, indeed.

Another point - Idaho has a 210 Convertible. They are very rare, almost all of the drop-top production was BelAirs, that's the 25,000 figure Elvis quotes.

But there were less than 6,000 convertibles built in the 210 Series, and production stopped at mid-year.

Idaho, we would all love to have you join us, and we would be glad to help you work through restoring such a great car back to its orignial glory!

Hello Elvis, thanks for your reply. I fully appreciate and strongly agree your thoughts. I have covered many "miles" in the two weeks since I posted that inquiry. I must state IMMEDIATELY, I absolutely have NO intention of cutting even one little piece of ANYTHING on that car!!! No way!!! The motor and tranny were gone when I found it, and I was only curious if a 350 tranny would clear that X-member, WITHOUT ANY modifications! No way will I alter this vehicle!! In the last several weeks I have found in my research on the internet that original 235 motors AND transmissions are available, and I am TOTALLY relieved! And yes, with only 5,617 of them made, and approximately 20 known registered 210's in the entire country, I saved every scrap of anything I found while cleaning out 60 years of debris from the inside of that car! So, again, thanks for your concern....... NOW, do you know where I can get a good 235 with a 3 speed or powerglide??!!! Thanks, Idaho

Idaho Greasemonkey, I have just read your question and I might shed just a little light on the subject. I totally agree with no cutting, nothing that cannot be reversed ! I have a 1949 convertible that I am building with a 350/700r4 combination. I moved the engine forward an additional 2 inchs with chassis engineering mounts, this provided enough room for the trans to clear the "x" member and I fabricated a rear mount using the original frame holes. A 350 short shaft trans should mount the same way. Feel free to contact me @ greasemonkey1941@comcast.net with any questions. I am also using a GM power steering rack with the original front end. NOTHING has been done that can not be reversed, everything bolts in. Good luck,

Greasemonkey, sorry for the delay in responding, and thanks for speaking up. Knowing there are many members out there with less than 100% stock machines, it wasn't very enjoyable getting reprimanded by someone who had only been a member for three weeks...? Then the insulting remark "or if by some miracle, this message made sense to you..." signed with respectfully yours? I have built various cars over the years, both stock and customs. I know the value of both. I was rather surprised none of the other long term members spoke up after that whole lecture.... In any case, yours was a welcome intelligent, informative response, and I appreciate the help. I'd like to see your car. I have since left this site for Chevy Talk, for obvious reasons, but will certainly stay in touch with you via your email for needed help! Thanks again, regards, Idaho.

Idaho, I Don't think that the "If by some miracle" statement was a dig at you. I think he meant that his post was long and rambly, more a less he was intentionally diggin at himself. And I don't think that anybody was trying to be offensive. Imagine if there was 3 true paintings of the mona lisa, and somebody you knew had one, and you thought he was gonna draw horns and a moustache on her, you would probably tell him to think twice, right? Anyways Reconcider leaving the group, all sorts of input makes things great. Take care whatever you do.

I just found this chat myself and I was not sure how to take elvis ray's post.It sounds like he was trying to be helpful and encouraging.I wish he would speak to all of the owners with base camaro coupes whom have added SS or Z/28 emblems on them,usually people with 49-54 Chevrolets know what they have and what they are worth.I feel that the first generation Camaro has been ruined by owners doing that.All I ever see at shows are SS and Z/28 cars,no base coupes......why?The Chevelles are well on their way as well.BTW that was a great way to encourage more participation within the VCCA-A Lecture!! If this is how questions are usually answered here,then I think this will be my last post on this site as well.I'm sure if Idaho owned a POS 210 4 door like I do ,he wouldn't have recieved the lecture.

Welcome to the 49-54 forum
53 Two Ten, I got the lecture, did you have a question?
Welcome Aboard! We will really try to answer your questions here about restoreing and preserveing your old 49-54 Chevrolets here on this forum, any questions about general discussion items, and VCCA events, rules and regulations, of the organization and all of the vintage Chevrolets on the respective forumto the best of our ability.

We welcome new members to join VCCA. you need not own or drive a vintage Chevrolet, just have an interest in restoreing and preserveing all of the Vintage Chevrolet cars and trucks.