I to picked up a 51 Chevy coupe project last week. I was told the only way to get a v8 in this car is to replace the fire wall? Anyone know if this is true? Reason I'm asking is its all original and the body is in great shape, I hate to cut it up but I will if I have to. Can I not just cut the fire wall fins?
Not true at all. I put a 350 in my 51 and the only thing you have to cut are the 2 ribs or fins that run up the firewall. Walton Fabrications has motor mounts that make it super easy.
This is what it looks like to install a small block Chevy in your 51. You don't have to cut the fire was ribs, but it looks cleaner if you do. This is a photo of my 51 2dr ht with a Chevy tpi engine. fits perfect. go for it. have fun
Thanks everyone, so far it had been Camaro clipped with a sbc drivetrain and a 10 bolt posi rear by the prievious owner, the first plans is to swap the motor out as this one has a knock and find some side glass for it as it has no door glass
Side glass can be cut cheap. Camaro front end is too wide, though, you're going to have rub problems. For the other poster, you just have to trim the vertical ribs off the firewall to put a V8 in, it sits pretty close but will fit, if you search here or on Chevytalk.org you should be able to find a ton of info on how it's done.
Hello impala631. I used mustang II for my front end. It seams to work out best They are about 56" wide. I have no problem with inter fender clearance. rustynewyouker is right. Cut the fire wall brakets out. I have seen sbc guys leave them in. They are not needed and are ugly. Check that Camaro width if it is not in the 55-57" it's to wide for that car. Good luck have fun
I Love it, Super Cool 51. If it were me I would only remove the front suspention mounts and get the stock frame rails cleaned up for tube A arms. I'd check out the mustang II kits or take a look at some of the tube A arms used on late model stock cars from Left hander chassis in IL. They even use impala suspention's in stock or tube setups. But I wouldn't cut up the 51's frame. Who knows you could even graft on S-10 arms and mounts. in the last few years I have fell in love with 51 chevys... Yours is Very Cool.
It already had the Camaro clip in it when I got it,I was told it was done several years ago,it fits perfectly with no rubbing,,but I plan on dropping it down some more so it will be a issue then,i'm going to try some different offset wheels and some skinnier tires to see if that will suck them in a bit,if not I will try another clip or narrow this one,also the 327 fits in well, the install is less than desired,but should be strait foward cleanup ,I might snap a few under the hood shots later
Neat project. I have never seen those chrome strips over the rear quarters ending at the tail lights. Can anyone tell me if they are a GM piece or some clever customizer's add-on? Here's my on-again/ off-again project......
I think they were a dealer add on. But I have seen most of them on 1952 Chevys. Or they may be part of the Delux Bel Air package
I think I seen replacement Camaro arms that were made to narrow iit up a couple of inches, I just can't remember where I seen it.
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