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hot rodding my bel aire

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  • Don Izzo

    hot rodding my bel aire

    I know this is off topic So I'll apologize here, but I figure there has to be at least one other guy here who owns at least one other car. I want to hot rod my all original 56 belaire. It currently has the original 30,000 mile straight six with the three speed on the tree. I'm the second owner.

    I restored the body and interior a number of years ago to it's stock condition but I guess I've watched one too many episodes of Boyd Coddingtons show or two many BJ auctions. Anyway the car is just to darn boring for words!

    I am in need of information regarding where to obtain a rebuilt motor (S/B W 330-365hp). What motor mounts to use, and whether or not the stock 6 cylinder bell housing will work with the V8 and a four speed And what about a trans mount? So much to research before I yank the Six. I Want to go "old school" with this project.

    anyone car to share some info via E-mail or phone?

    Don
  • Mike M.
    NCRS Past President
    • May 31, 1974
    • 8365

    #2
    Re: hot rodding my bel aire

    sbc in 56 pass cars utilized front motor mounts. i wouldn't use the front stock mounts with the sbc you want to install. you can buy aftermarket side mount kits that will utilize the sbc motor mounts that fasten to the side of the block. this setup will handle the torque of your intended sbc better than the stock front mounts common to the 55 thru 57 chevy pass car sbc motor mount configuration. no way will the 235 inline 6 bellhousing work. you'll need a v-8 chevy bellhousing to mount between the sbc and a t-10 or muncie 4 speed. if you choose a 55 thru 57 chevy bellhousing, you'll be able to use the motor mounts on the sides of the bellhousing(the 55 thru 57 straight stick pass cars didn't have a mount on the tailhousing like the 56 up corvettes). the pass car tranny simple bolted to the bell. i'd get an aftermarket 55 thru 57 blow-proof bell and use it. makes for very easy and quick tranny removal in the event you grenade a synchro or gear in the 4 speed. for the most part, conversion from 235 to sbc in a 56 pass car is a bolt-in installation. mike

    Comment

    • Wayne P.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • August 31, 1975
      • 1025

      #3
      Re: hot rodding my bel aire

      Your best engine buy will be at your local Chevy dealer in the form of one of their crate engines. The bell housing will work but it's a big heavy cast iron piece. There are many factory and aftermaakrt aluminum pieces that would be nicer. Many vendors supply engine and trans mounts. You could go with the 55-57 Chevy factory engine mounts. Why not go with a 5 speed so that highway driving will be more fun?

      Comment

      • Terry D.
        Extremely Frequent Poster
        • May 31, 1987
        • 2690

        #4
        Re: hot rodding my bel aire

        Don

        Most of the parts you will need can be found at places like Summit Racing or Jeg's, they both have websites with online catalogs and 800 numbers for asking questions. As for the engine, there are lots of choices, Chevy crate motors, Summit Racing, Edelbrock, etc sell new engines. Goggle Chevy Engines on the internet and you will find lots of rebuilders. Go to your local Cruise In and you'll probably find someone who has done what you want to do. A lot just depends on how much money you want to spend. Don't forget that more horsepower means you need to beef up the rear end and suspension too. Hope this helps
        Terry

        Comment

        • Mike M.
          NCRS Past President
          • May 31, 1974
          • 8365

          #5
          Re: hot rodding my bel aire

          wayne: doubt 6 cyl cast iron bell will bolt up to a sbc. didn't work for me in 1961. regards, mike

          Comment

          • Don Izzo

            #6
            Re: hot rodding my bel aire

            Thanks you guys, knew you would have some info for me! I wasn't sure if I would have to install a trans cross member or not for the transformation. reread some old articles in the Classic Chevy Club magazines and they said it was necessary for installation of the t350 and 400 autos but no mention of the 4 spd. I am aware of the ears on the bellhousing and the frame horns these mount to but not sure if thats the way to go.

            So if I get a v8 bellhousing from 55-57 it will have the side mount ears to mount to the frame horns, then just mount the 4 spd?

            I went to a large car show here last week and saw several tri-fives that had been rodded. Some had used the original front engine mts while others used the aftermarket mts. I want to keep this project with the least amount of alterations to the frame and body. May want to put it back to original someday. One last show here this weekend in Westchester county NY. I hope to talk to some guys and look over their rides. Maybe climb under a few and get a look see.

            When I had the motor rebuilt for my 60 Vette a spent around $2500. I Got rebuilt rod set, new pistons, cut the crank, bored the block lots of head work etc. etc. etc. Thought that was a good deal considering the condition of the seized original engine. Although that was six years ago I am wondering if it might not be cheaper to buy a 350 block and have the speed shop build me a motor as opposed to buying a crate engine. The prices seem high for these on line. Over $4000, Then I would need to scrap and replace the intake supply the waterpump and distributor.
            Don

            Comment

            • John O.
              Very Frequent User
              • May 31, 1998
              • 480

              #7
              Re: hot rodding my bel aire

              Hi Don

              I own a 1956 Chevy 150 series that originally had a 6 cylinder in it. I put a built 350 V8 engine it it with no modifacations. I used the original front mounts and the original rear mounts that the bellhousing bolts to.I put the shifter on the floor. There is NO transmission mount for 3 or 4 speeds but they do sell a bolt in kit, which you then have to drill 4 holes in the frame. The tranny just bolts to the bellhousing only. My car is a street machine. All I added were rear air shocks.I do punch this sucker every so often and never had a problem.

              Good luck.....John

              Comment

              • Mike McKown

                #8
                Re: hot rodding my bel aire

                I see no reason you can't use the stock front and rear V-8 mounts for street use. Use the '55-'57 stock V-8 cast iron bellhousing. The stock 3 speed will work. If you elect to use a four speed, the '57-'63 Borg Warner or the '63 Muncie will bolt up. Later transmissions have a larger front bearing retainer and will not fit. No need to worry about a rear transmission mount if you use the stock transmission. It's not required. The 2 1/2" manifolds can be used and you can configure the dual exhaust same as stock '57 except for the larger size.

                The engine wire loom is different but should be easy to cut/splice and use or I'm sure new replacements are available. The 6 cylinder radiator mounts ahead of the radiator support, the V-8 behind it. You can get away with using the existing radiator if it's clean but if I remember correctly, the hose size is smaller on the 6 vs 8 so some accomadation will have to be made. If it were mine, I'd put the V-8 radiator and support in it for a more "factory" look. The clutch linkage is different but I don't remember how much of it.

                The V-8 is lighter than the six so front springs won't be a problem. Neither will the rear end or u-joints, again for street use.

                Don't forget to add the V-8 emblems to the deck lid and hood to finish it off.

                Comment

                • Philip C.
                  Extremely Frequent Poster
                  • December 1, 1984
                  • 1117

                  #9
                  Re: hot rodding my bel aire Mikeie

                  Mike I loosing faith in ya Doc 6 or 8 same bell how long we be doing this. You know the older we GET the BETTER we used to be! Phil 8063 PS I think its about time you smoked old Dip stick a#$ again!

                  Comment

                  • Mike M.
                    NCRS Past President
                    • May 31, 1974
                    • 8365

                    #10
                    Re: hot rodding my bel aire Mikeie

                    phil: am gettin older but still think the 235 bell won't bolt up to the 265 thru 400 sbc. mikie

                    Comment

                    • Roy B.
                      Expired
                      • February 1, 1975
                      • 7044

                      #11
                      Re: hot rodding my bel aire Mikeie

                      "am gettin older but still think the 235 bell won't bolt up to the 265 thru 400 sbc. mikie" Your quite right on both!

                      Comment

                      • Philip C.
                        Extremely Frequent Poster
                        • December 1, 1984
                        • 1117

                        #12
                        Mikeie

                        Mike when is the last time youve seen a six cylinder only bell housing, or a six cylinder only power gluide trans. small block and big block also the same bell bolt pattern. 396 and L-88 use a 403 bell Phil 8063

                        Comment

                        • Frank C.
                          Expired
                          • January 1, 1986
                          • 277

                          #13
                          Re: hot rodding my bel aire

                          Hi John....The '55-'57 rear ends are a pretty weak link in this case. I broke the banjo housing on both sides of the pumpkin of my '57 and it only had 300HP/327CI in it at the time. Sure I was street racing at the time. On another note please don't even consider any other type bellhousing but the scatter shield type. If you can't find one, I'll sell you one of mine. In my years of drag racing, I saw more than few clutch explosions. Regards Frank

                          Comment

                          • Don Izzo

                            #14
                            Re: hot rodding my bel aire

                            Thanks Mike and everyone else. Lots of good info here. Glad no one told me to leave the car alone! Had to wait for my dad to pass before I could even discuss this project. He loved my car as original and pleaded with me to leave it unmolested. If it were a factory eight I wouldn't even consider this.

                            Last question for now... My wifes friend told me last night that when her husband left her, he left a 302 Z28 block and crank in her garage. She would like to get rid of it. I recall back in the late 60's these motors ran like scalded dogs in the camaro. Would this be a good platform for a street motor or should I pass and go buy a 350?

                            Don

                            Comment

                            • Mike McKown

                              #15
                              You should NOT PASS

                              Take the short block. If it's a real one you can trade it for a half dozen 350's.

                              Comment

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