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Projects Help me decide drivetrain for my 54 Chevy

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by inliner54, Nov 8, 2017.

  1. inliner54
    Joined: Feb 9, 2007
    Posts: 411

    inliner54
    Member

    Hey guys I’m trying to make up my mind on what to do with my 54. I have a zero mile rebuilt 283 I’m thinking of putting in. Really nice motor camel hump heads, forged pistons Duntov cam. Etc. I’m also considering a 261 swap. I was thinking about running a Saginaw 3 speed overdrive behind either engine. Then converting to an open driveline. Or if I go with a 261 maybe keep the trans and reared stock. What are your opinions? [​IMG][​IMG]


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  2. RichFox
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 10,020

    RichFox
    Member Emeritus

    261 is a nice engine, done right. And the OD will be another good thing, IMHO. A 302 would be even better.
     
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  3. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

    I REALLY want a 261 for my 55 sedan. Go with the 283 and make me a deal on the 6. Seriously, put the 261 in it. Duals and 2 or 3 carbs: all the cool kids will ditch those looser flatheads and jump on YOUR bandwagon. 261 all the way.
     
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  4. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 12,286

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I may be interested in the 283 if you go another route. I'm just in Battle Ground, around the corner from you. Let me know what you decide to do, I have a little Nova that may need that motor.
     

  5. That 261 will eat the stock three speed. Both the 261 and the 283 will be a nice update. I'd figure on changing the trans and rear. On my 54 I used waltons motor mounts and cross member. Also their brake pedal master cyl. change over to a swing pedal. However I'm using an auto trans.
    Then you could find a 53 Chevy pickup trans and use it. It has the later GM trans bolt pattern and is closed drive. Also column shift. So many opitons.
     
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  6. 270ci
    Joined: May 17, 2010
    Posts: 459

    270ci
    Member

    Oh, that fine car needs a 261! Goes better with your hub caps. And if you ever feel it might need a tad more power, there are ways....like the 261 in my avatar, also in a 54.
     
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  7. tractorguy
    Joined: Jan 5, 2008
    Posts: 894

    tractorguy
    Member

    Since I am very old......and very traditional......I vote for the 261 6cyl. That car screams traditional 261 swap with updated driveline......and yes....it will "scream" if done right !
     
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  8. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 7,856

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    261 bored to 278'', fresh '54 trans (same insides as the '55-up) & a Powerglide third member. You'll want a '54 big truck flywheel for an 11'' clutch. Dual intake, headers, fairly aggressive cam, an ignition good to 5,000 ... and balance it. Try to find a u-joint with needles vs. bushings. The '54 - early '55 blocks bolt in as is, all later need mount issues addressed. '58 up are full flow ...
    Also - a big GMC is not all that hard to stuff in there ...
    Please note my great restraint in mentioning your ''accessories'' ... seldom did hopped up Chevrolets wear jewelry.
     
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  9. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,828

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    nice looking car, what is wrong with the motor you have now?
     
  10. 302 GMC 6 cylinder with a Wayne 12 port head... and injected... just saying
     
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  11. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 7,856

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    If it's like most virgin '54s, it's worn the crank about .002 deep on the rods, & has around .020 taper ... and the lobes on the cam aren't very pointy anymore.
     
  12. Stovebolt
    Joined: May 2, 2001
    Posts: 3,531

    Stovebolt
    Member

    I'd go the 261. Patrick's make a kit to allow a saginaw 4 speed bolt into the torque tube (Caveat emptor on that one though) and run 3.54 rear gears available from @MotherTrucker.

    Another trans option is a '35-'37 Packard trans, using '36 Chev trans parts to adapt it into the torque tube. Again I'd use 3.54 rear gears. You can run a Packard trans as is to an open rear - 55-62 Chev, Camaro, or S10, or maverick 8".

    Try to keep the rpm within the original rev range and these engines will last forever.
     
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  13. inliner54
    Joined: Feb 9, 2007
    Posts: 411

    inliner54
    Member

    I’ll let you know if I decide to get rid of it. Thanks


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  14. inliner54
    Joined: Feb 9, 2007
    Posts: 411

    inliner54
    Member

    The stock trans will hold up to a 261? The accessories were on it when I bought it. It’s a work in progress. Most of the gingerbread will be gone.


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  15. I honestly believe the 283 sbc to be one of the finest engines GM ever produced but with that said I would have to go with the 261. HRP
     
  16. oldsman41
    Joined: Jun 25, 2010
    Posts: 1,556

    oldsman41
    Member

    by the way nice car. 261 warmed up a bit would be cool.
     
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  17. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 7,856

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    Thanks for doing that.
    The trans won't survive clutch dumping in low gear. With the bottom end torque of the bigger engine you can afford a light foot in low, and 2nd gear with 3.55 axle/7.60 - 15 tire is pretty close to 80 MPH around 4,200 - 4,400 RPM ... even balanced, they get real whippy inside at high RPM, so use the torque, not the Rs
     
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  18. inliner54
    Joined: Feb 9, 2007
    Posts: 411

    inliner54
    Member

    Nothing is wrong with it. Just a little tired and leaking some oil. Instead of messing with the 235 I figured on doing a 261. I have a line on one. But I also have that 283 ready to go. But I might just save it for another project


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  19. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,173

    Budget36
    Member

    You haven't mentioned, nor has anyone asked, "what do you want out of the car"?

    I/e faster/quicker,etc, or the cool factor of running a 6, that runs well?
     
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  20. BigDogSS
    Joined: Jan 8, 2009
    Posts: 979

    BigDogSS
    Member
    from SoCal

    Nothing is cooler than faster/quicker --> 283 all day.
     
  21. inliner54
    Joined: Feb 9, 2007
    Posts: 411

    inliner54
    Member

    Better speed on the freeway, more power would be nice. Not looking to win races or anything. And of course a good sound.


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  22. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,173

    Budget36
    Member


    Much as I love the SBC, but I think I love the sound of a well built 6 with the right exhaust even more. Sorta stands out from the crowd.

    Plus your car is such a looker, a nicely done 6 would set it off even more....the way your stance is.

    I mean for you not wanting a speed demon, seems you are in tune with what the car wants/needs.
     
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  23. Good sound is good enough reason for the Inline 6. NOTHING like it.

    Ben
     
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  24. southcross2631
    Joined: Jan 20, 2013
    Posts: 4,413

    southcross2631
    Member

    Drove a 51 in high school with a GMC 6 out of an old dirt modified. It gave flatheads fits and could sneak up on a stock 265. It sounded awesome. I vote inline all the way.
     
  25. Cosmo49
    Joined: Jan 15, 2007
    Posts: 1,551

    Cosmo49
    Member

    I've got a 235 - 6 with a 3sp+od, 70-75 mph all day long. I have a 261 waiting in the wings for my '49 1/2 ton. PS, that 235, 20 years over 100 k miles, dd/only vehicle. You pop the hood and you'll get admiration for doing the right thing...yes, 283-350's are a couple of the finest engines made along with the mighty Stovebolt 6!
     
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  26. sunbeam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 6,213

    sunbeam
    Member

    If you don't have a 261 go for a 302 GMC with a valve cover that doesn't say GMC most people will never know and gain 40 cu inches.
     
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  27. oldsman41
    Joined: Jun 25, 2010
    Posts: 1,556

    oldsman41
    Member

    i was kicking this around last night with some of the guys , not that it matters but if you have some bucks why not put a 5 speed behind that 261 with split exhaust and smittys mufflers. then you cruise along at a nice highway rpm.
     
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  28. inliner54
    Joined: Feb 9, 2007
    Posts: 411

    inliner54
    Member

    I really want to keep the 3 on the tree.
    I’ve already got Fenton headers with glasspacks on it. Plus I’ve got this waiting to go on. [​IMG]


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  29. oldsman41
    Joined: Jun 25, 2010
    Posts: 1,556

    oldsman41
    Member

    yep that saginaw od should work depending on what gear you have in the rear.
     

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