Inliners International Forums General Discussion Truck Talk Engine Install Advice

I'm going to replace the 235 in my 53 3100 with a 250/700R4.
Will I have to remove the crossmember that holds the existing bellhousing mounts?

regards,
Leon

Maybe you could find an adapter.
Chevrolet cars came with small block V-8 or 235 I6
from 1955 on up to 1963.

You won't have to, I don't think, but you won't be able to put a dust cover on it. I did this quite a few years ago and I can't remember taking out the crossmember, but I can't remember my name half the time, so I might have had to. Joe

It's my understanding that it needs to be removed, but you could try asking over at http://www.stovebolt.com

I believe the crossmember has to be removed, and the next one back will probably need to ne notched for the tailshaft. You may want to check the second one after you get your front mounts in.............john

I talked with Buffalo a week or so back about installing a 700R4 behind a 235 in the AD truck, and he assured me that the crossmember did not have to be removed. I don't know what this implies for the installation behind a 250, however. I'm leaning toward putting my 700R4 behind the 235 in my 55 1st series instead of the 53. I just bought the 55 1st and it is very complete compared to the 53, which could be chraritably referred to a a "project truck"

regards,
Leon

I recently saw an ad on EBay for a very nice adapter that an Inliner was producing for this type of conversion.It was $80 I think. Maybe you can find it if you're interested.

I know I am late in on the subject but if you remove that crossmember without installing a replacement (such as a tube crossmember with more clearance) eventually the weight of the cab will twist the top of the frame rails outward due to the pressure on the ends of the frame stubs that the cab mounts fasten to.

This is one reason you see a lot of modified AD trucks that have been on the road a while have the appearance of the cab sagging at the front and the hood and fenders not aligning right. Years ago I had installed a V8 and automatic in my truck and cut out the crossmember and I had those results after about 30 thousand miles. The cab actually settled down on the top of the frame rails.