Swapping a Chrysler engine into our trucks?

[austinsailor]

I'd like to eventually put a Chrysler engine in my B1B. I understand it's longer, but what about bolting to the bellhousing and the flywheel?

I've spent a bit of time searching the archives and have been unable to locate anything. Has there been a thread on this subject? Anyone tried it? I would be shocked if the answer is no.

In the future I'll rebuild something for this truck, and if I'm going to that expense, it might as well be a bigger Chrysler (or Desoto) six and get the boost in performance.

A quick search of Ebay and Craigslist has turned up several reasonably prices candidates, so finding a motor should not be a challenge.

Thanks for any thoughts.

[Dale Uhrich]

the 1950 fargo i have has a chrysler motor in it. What mopar did was put different offset on the radiator mounts and offset it further ahead when bolted in at the stock bolt holes. maybe you can get pictures of a fargo truck that shows that. I have no idea on the transmission mount.

[Don Coatney]

Follow this link.

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=7666&highlight=elmer

[austinsailor]

I doubt I could ever find the parts to build a motor like Elmer's, but that would be the cat's meow, wouldn't it?

Looks like a 52-54 Chrysler 265 six would be the goal. I'm watching for one.

[Reg Evans]

I've had a Chrysler 251 in my 52 1/2 ton for about 12 years now. Before that this 251 lived in another 52 3/4 ton flat bed I converted to a motor home and before that the 251 was installed in a 48 3/4 ton long bed I drove daily.

The mods to make the longer engine fit were pretty minimal.

I added some tabs to the front motor mount feet that reached back to the original mounting holes in the front cross member. I had to nip a little off the lower lip of the front cross member to clear the oil pan and I believe I used a radiator from a similar vintage 1.5 ton to clear the fan blades.

Here's a shot of the front motor mount feet.

One of these days I'll install the big six factory dual intake and exhaust and my shaved Spitfire head,

Edited October 15, 2009 by Reg Evans

[austinsailor]

That is a great installation. Exactly what I was hoping to see.

Does the bell housing from the smaller 23" truck motor just bolt to the Chrysler block? Do you recall if one or the other flywheel must be used? I would suspect you could use the flywheel and pressure plate from the Chrysler and the clutch plate from the truck if there was a difference, but I'm also guessing either would work.

I have a 6 located for $200 that will probably need rebuilding. Should be a good start.

Oh, I notice the sump is in the back on the Chrysler I have my eye on, and on the front of the B1B and your motor. Are there parts around to change that, or a kit, or am I going to be fabricating?

Edited October 15, 2009 by austinsailor
add

[Reg Evans]

That is a great installation. Exactly what I was hoping to see.

Does the bell housing from the smaller 23" truck motor just bolt to the Chrysler block? Do you recall if one or the other flywheel must be used? I would suspect you could use the flywheel and pressure plate from the Chrysler and the clutch plate from the truck if there was a difference, but I'm also guessing either would work.

I have a 6 located for $200 that will probably need rebuilding. Should be a good start.

Oh, I notice the sump is in the back on the Chrysler I have my eye on, and on the front of the B1B and your motor. Are there parts around to change that, or a kit, or am I going to be fabricating?

This engine,bell housing,and trans combination were assembled in the 48 3/4 ton I purchased around 1987 so I can't say for sure what bell housing or flywheel was used. The truck bell housing is mated to the Chrysler engine. I could put the truck up on my rack later today to see if I can find some casting numbers that someone here can id. Yes....the rear sump looks like it would interfere with the tie rod as seen in the photo below. I do have a 46-47 long block truck engine with the rear sump but it is from a 1.5 ton so maybe there was more room for the tie rod/rear sump combo on the larger trucks.

46-47 1.5 ton engine showing the rear sump and different front engine mount.

Edited October 15, 2009 by Reg Evans

[Dodgeb4ya]

Put my 265 in my 52 pickup in 1973-still going strong after all these years and 22,000 miles later. Radiator and front frame yoke are is the only area that needs attention. The front pulley /damper and pan will hit the front frame. I used the hot wrench and carefully remoulded the front of the frame for clearance.

Now I've had the thought of putting real power in a 1/2 tonner and putting a real BIG BLOCK motor in one of these trucks- an extra 377ci out of a 1951 4 ton truck I have with a 5 speed/2spd rear end! Front fenders are the issue tough. The engine is 42" from crank flange to front pulley. I'd have to put the 1/2 ton body/box on a shortened 4 tonner frame and somehow modify the 20" wheel openings to look correct for the 16" wheels and oh well- never mind-Just dreaming! I could do it though...Hmmmm

Bob

[austinsailor]

The 25" Chrysler motor pretty much fills it, the 377 is 5" more yet, or 7" over the original. That would be quite a chore to fit. I have the 331 ci in my 47 3 ton, it is a lot bigger motor. If you do it, though, take lots of pictures!

[Reg Evans]

If you're gonna go that far ya might as well just drop one of these puppies in there.

Photo stolen from Don C's bucket.

[Young Ed]

Reg all the 46-47 truck engines are rear sump. The pilot houses have diff suspension that needs the front sump engine.

[oldmopar]

The oil breather fill tube in the photo any idea where its from.

I have the same one in my 48 and it looks a little different the most of the 40's-50's I have seen.

[Reg Evans]

Oldmopar,

I'm thinking the breather came from a military flat 6. Here's a T245 230 engine I removed from an M37 and the breather is very similar.

[Frank Elder]

That is a military habit, attaching a lanyard to an object you don't want to lose.

[oldmopar]

Reg, Thanks that is at least one part of the puzzle trying to figure where the replacement engine came from that is in the 48 b1d I recently acquired; still no id on the engine but at least have a answer on the oil tube

Ed