Chrysler 48 trans swap

[Toresbo]

I got my hands on a 48 Chrysler 

im keeping the 251 but due to major oilleaks and small fire in the  wiring  harness    Im thinking about changing the fluiddrive for a manual 3 spd.  

I found a complete engine with a 3 spd from an early 40s dodge

will it fit my 251?

Edited April 11, 2017 by Toresbo

[dpollo]

You will find that it is very difficult to install the earlier transmission (pictured) into your car. It looks like a '38   

It needs the bell housing which you also have but the engine mounts are different.   It is also much shorter than your car's original trans so the  driveshaft will need to be extended so much, you will have to go for a 2 piece shaft.

If a car such as yours were to be converted to a three speed without fluid drive pieces were available to make this possible  retaining the original bell housing.  These pieces were the flywheel, an extra long transmission input shaft,  throwout bearing collar and bearing (the sliding part)   These parts are very rare here in North America so you would be very lucky to find them.  Unless you have a very experienced mechanic, or are one yourself I think it would be better to enjoy the Fluid Drive and whichever  transmission is behind it. ( either a manual shift 3 speed or the semi automatic )   Both work well and are easy to drive.

[55 Fargo]

Okay, have done this or shall I say had this swap, my Uncle did most of the work prior to me getting the car.

1947 Chrysler Royal Club Coupe, changed to 218 Canadian Long block, car speed trans, dry clutch and bell housing from a donor 1951 Dodge (Canadian built non fluid drive).

-You will need a Plymouth clutch housing

-Rear engine cross member moved forward

-fluid drive adjustable long clutch rod, needs to be replaced with a Plymouth or shortened, I shortened mine

- column shifter linkage will work

-Ebrake cable on fluid dirve is longer, and needs to be shortened or changed, not a huge deal

- I used a regular 48 Chrysler drive shaft, it has common cross and roller type u-joints available cheap anywhere, and this is exclusive to Canadian built cars from 1946-49, no ball and trunnions, no C38 C39 odd u-joints either.

Because the 3 spd trans is longer than an M5 5, and although the clutch housing is shorter, the trans tailshaft was back far enough to use  the Chrysler drive shaft no issues.

That's it in a nutshell, and a lot faster off the line than any fluid drive I can tell you that.

If you hate the clunkmatic trans, and don't mind a fluid drive you could got to a 3 spd trans or possibly an R10 with the longer input shaft, and save the work.

This conversion is not bad, but is a bit of work...

[dpollo]

It pays to "Ask the man who owns one."    Since you are in Sweden, it may be a challenge to round up the necessary parts.  Good luck.