Inliners International Forums General Discussion Drive Train 57 motor in 53 truck w 57 trans...help!

I am attempting to swap over the drivetrain from a 57 truck in to my 53 chevy truck. the first issue i see is the difference in front and bellhousing mounts. If I am correct the motor will for sure bolt up to the 53 bellhousing and I can drill the front 57 engine mount for the early 53 front engine mount. What I am not sure about is if the 57 trans will bolt to the back of the 53 bellhousing? As well , will I use the clutch set up from the 53, or is the 57 a possability?...Hoping the 57 panel truck driveshaft will drop right in , plan on using the 57 rearend as well with relocating it to the center of wheelwell opening(and of course on top of spring)...I know lots of questions...just hoping to some experience here...thanks in advance.

Yes; the housing bolts (to engine) and you will use the 53 linkage.

You'll need to measure the driveshaft when all is mounted in the vehicle.

Good luck.

Are you speaking of the transmission linkage? I would think for sure teh 53 throttle linkage would work. Anybodyknow on the later open driveshaft transmission mating to the 53 bellhousing?

OK, it looks as though teh flywheels between the 53 motor and the 57 motor are identical other than teh clutch mounting holes. Are they flywheels balanced teh same or is it that the bigger 57 clutch will not physically fit into the 53 bellhousing? i would really like to use teh bigger 57 clutch if possable

Use the 57 Bell Housing, 53 clutch linkage, the rest 1957 also.

Good luck.

John, I have to use the 53 belhousing due to the 57 mounts being completely different than a 53 truck, hence teh question of puttin gthe 57 clutch in teh 53 bellhousing. Looks like it might fit , but I'm away from the truck for awhile and a friend is tryin gto help me get back together.

The bellhousing is the key piece, no reason not to stay with your 53 bell, it accepts any pre63 inline and also the later trans. Sounds like you have it figured out. Now the 57 clutch may not fit into your old bellhousing, you'll have to check this out and you could stay with the 53 stuff.
My set up in the 46 pickup: 1961 261ci with original 46 bell(adaptor plate to trans)(OLD 40s/early 50s 11"truck clutch & disc), to T-5 trans, to open drive. You won't need the adaptor for 53.

Best of luck

I was looking at the transmisions yesterday...the clutch forks look to be the same, but the shifter linkages are completely different...will the 57 rods hook up to my 53 column or will this be an exercise in foul language restraint?