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Projects Newbie here with a 1950 fleetline

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by Infideltaco, Oct 26, 2017.

  1. Infideltaco
    Joined: Oct 26, 2017
    Posts: 11

    Infideltaco
    Member
    from NC

    Hey,
    So I picked up a 1950 fleetline it has a 216 in it. It turns but I would like to be able to cruise at highway speeds. So I was looking at a swap. Looked into a small block but it looked like more then I want to do. So looking at putting in a 235 with a new trans. My question is what years bolt in without serious work?
     
  2. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,174

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    Congrats - post some pics
     
  3. Torchie
    Joined: Apr 17, 2011
    Posts: 1,099

    Torchie
    Member

    Paul B likes this.
  4. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    You just opened the proverbial can of worms...be right back....going for the popcorn. This'll be a good one....
     

  5. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

    Use the rear end from a powerglide car. Pretty sure they had better gears. And get a pressurized 235. We like pics, l really like those Fleetlines.
     
  6. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    1952 Chevy frame...Chassis engineering rear spring and shock kit, 3.73 S10 rear end and T5 bolted to a fresh rebuilt 1960 235. A work in progress... IMG_0309.JPG IMG_0310.JPG IMG_0312.JPG
     
  7. FrankenRodz
    Joined: Dec 20, 2007
    Posts: 892

    FrankenRodz
    Member

  8. Infideltaco
    Joined: Oct 26, 2017
    Posts: 11

    Infideltaco
    Member
    from NC

  9. Infideltaco
    Joined: Oct 26, 2017
    Posts: 11

    Infideltaco
    Member
    from NC

  10. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

    Looks great, RMONTY.
     
  11. flatheadpete
    Joined: Oct 29, 2003
    Posts: 10,478

    flatheadpete
    Member
    from Burton, MI

    My brother had a '54 with a 235 and 3 on the tree. We added split header, dual carbs, exhaust that let it breathe and a basic tune-up. It would cruise all day at 70+. But an OD trans would have been even nicer to have!
     
  12. mr.chevrolet
    Joined: Jul 19, 2006
    Posts: 8,860

    mr.chevrolet
    Member

    First get an EMS catalog, then read everything here on the HAMB and join Inliners.
     
    Infideltaco likes this.
  13. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    Thanks belair
     
  14. Infideltaco
    Joined: Oct 26, 2017
    Posts: 11

    Infideltaco
    Member
    from NC

  15. gmpartsgod
    Joined: Jan 22, 2012
    Posts: 51

    gmpartsgod
    Member

     
  16. gmpartsgod
    Joined: Jan 22, 2012
    Posts: 51

    gmpartsgod
    Member

    If your going to stick with closed drive line you need to get a rear out of a 50-54 pass car with powerglide.they have highway happy gears.While you are getting powerglide rear see if they have motor from same car.Its a 235 a little more cubes.Look up Patricks in Arizona. Great people great info and great parts.
     
  17. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    Yeah I think you are passing on inaccurate information about Patrick's...it may be a matter of opinion but my opinion is buyer beware! I'm sure a search on the HAMB will substantiate my claim.
     
  18. Infideltaco
    Joined: Oct 26, 2017
    Posts: 11

    Infideltaco
    Member
    from NC

    So I found a 235 off a 56 Chevy truck with trans. Running close by.

    Sent from my SM-N950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  19. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    What transmission? Stock truck transmission? Also, have you heard it run?
     
  20. Infideltaco
    Joined: Oct 26, 2017
    Posts: 11

    Infideltaco
    Member
    from NC

  21. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    Its probably an open drive then....I'm no expert but I think the torque tubes went away a couple of years before 56. May be an issue due to your torque tube but I'm sure someone that knows will chime in
     
  22. Infideltaco
    Joined: Oct 26, 2017
    Posts: 11

    Infideltaco
    Member
    from NC

    If I plan swapping suspension so I guess I'll swap rear as well if it is an issue.

    Sent from my SM-N950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  23. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    Now your talking! Might as well go to a T5 if your going that far.....it's gots overdrive!!
     
  24. Infideltaco
    Joined: Oct 26, 2017
    Posts: 11

    Infideltaco
    Member
    from NC

    Yeah I'm thinking that will be the way I go.

    Sent from my SM-N950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  25. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    Waltons sells a sweet bolt in crossmember. It does require 2 small welds according to their instructions. I weld and it took me longer to set the machine and turn it on than it did to weld it. Exhaust shop can weld it when you are getting duals put on!
     
  26. Infideltaco
    Joined: Oct 26, 2017
    Posts: 11

    Infideltaco
    Member
    from NC

    I can weld. So it's all good.

    Sent from my SM-N950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  27. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    Buffalo Engineering is where my T5 to 235 adapter came from but there are several other good ones out there I've heard.
     
  28. FrankenRodz
    Joined: Dec 20, 2007
    Posts: 892

    FrankenRodz
    Member

  29. Nostrebor
    Joined: Jun 25, 2014
    Posts: 1,278

    Nostrebor
    Member

    Good advice.

    I can confirm that an S10 4x4 rear end fits well width wise in these cars and they can be had with a nice range of ratios. Mine already had a V8, so it is staying, but I'm going T5 and 3:42s with and S10 rear. If my math works right, it should drive out pretty nice on the highway. Be sure you check the ratios in the T5 if you go that route. Not all are created equal. You can decrypt the numbers on the metal hang tags, but I like the revolution count method better, as many of these transmissions have been apart at some point in their life. Also learn how to tell the regular from world class apart. I buy T5s every chance I get... the last one was $50!;)
     
  30. Good looking car !!! Check out chevytalk and here on the HAMB and stovebolr all the help you need

    I'm building a 50 fleetline also doing a 261 with a t5 and camaro rear jaguar front clip

    Lots you can do , don't rush plan and think ahead what your end goal will be so you don't waste money doing stuff and then redoing it down the road

    The front suspension is decent when it's rebuilt get 53-53 up rights ( they lower the car about 1" 1/2 and the brakes are way better ( bendix instead of hucks)

    Steering box is also better on 52 and newer cars bearings instead of bushings inside and 53-54 cars come with signals built in

    Great cars have fun
     

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