Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 216 to 250 swap

Hi, I've got a '53 chevy 3600 with the original 216, and its beyond salvageable. I was hoping to be able to go with a more modern straight-6, a v8 just doesn't seem right with a truck like this. From what I have read here and elsewhere, I would have to use a v8 crossmember or the langdon's stovebolt motor mount kit. Since the 250 won't bolt up to the stock bell housing, which kind should I be looking for? I am really trying to avoid having to replace the existing bellhousing crossmember if possible.

Anyone have any suggestions or ideas? I need all the help I can get with this one!

3600 = open driveline - if you are married to the idea of a modern six, forget using the stock bellhousing and cross member.

You likely have 4.56 gears or so - swap in a 4.11 from a 67..72 3/4 ton chevy pickup. you only need to change the center pumpkin - it is a bolt in.

Then get a 250 L6 with a manual transmission and make a new rear cross member that goes below the tranny tail shaft. You will be much happier with the driveability of the truck with this setup than with the existing 216 + high gear ratio rearend.

If you really want to keep the bellhousing / transmission that you have - get a 55+ year 235 or 261 and do the differential gear swap as previously indicated - alot easier and mostly the same benefits.

Shoot, I was hoping there was some limited year bellhousing that had the V8 bellhousing and mounted up the same. Theres no bellhousings that would have a V8 bolt pattern and still install on my stock crossmember?

The V8 bellhousings from 55 to somewhere in the early 60's used saddle mounts on the bellhousing that can be used so you can keep yoiur 4-speed.

Great! Unless I'm misunderstanding you, the 55-60's bellhousings have the same mounts as my current bellhousing, so I wouldn't have to swap out the crossmember, correct?

To the best of my knowlede or 61+ memory they will swap. I also remember some issues with starters doing this, but it was something that could be solved. Have you tried the Stovebolt Page? http://www.stovebolt.com

I've read alot of threads on stovebolt about engine swaps. Most of the swaps don't include re-using the stock transmission, which changes things alot. Stovebolt has been a great help trying to work on this old truck.

It seems I'm one of a few people trying to put a 250 in without having to change transmissions etc

The 55+ bellhousings have slanted mounting surfaces for the motor mounts and they are considerably different than the 47..55 first series truck motor mounts. I am sure you can scab something together to make it fit with a little creativity - but not a bolt in by any stretch.

55-59 truck V8 would likely be the best option. As said, the mounts are different, but I would think you could make it work alot easier than cutting everything out and starting over. Do not try to build one of these trucks without some sort of crossmember in that area of the frame.

60-62 have a hydraulic clutch fork on the passenger side, at least for the sixes, so I assume the same for the V8's?

You will most likely need to move the radiator forward also.

You will need to buy or make side mounts for the engine, as there is no provision for mounting under the timing cover on the 250 engine.

Doesn't the 250 used by Mercruiser use a front mount???

Sorry, I've never seen one. Are we trying to use a Mercruiser engine?

I have pulled a 250 out of a 1949 truck that someone had transplanted in. It had home made engine mounts that reached out and sat on top of the frame. The cross member had been cut out from the location where it normally supported the rear of the motor and the cross member that is normally supporting the rear of the tranny had been modified to support the modern transmission that had been put in. It all fit OK - but with the cutting on the mid cross member, I wondered about the rigidity of the frame.

Easiest swap by far is a 261 . . . not a bad motor and set up right it will move your truck smartly down the road.

If you want to go with a 250, the easiest approach is to get all new bellhousing / transmission along with it and then do a quality job of fabbing mounts for the motor and the tailshaft of the tranny and dispense with the idea of mounting the aft part of the motor/bellhousing to anything.

It's a 250 Chevy 6 marine application that used a front mount. Not sure if it's a special timing cover or a bolt on item.