Posted by Peter Galmish on March 16, 1998 at 15:40:02:
In Reply to: Re: V-8 engine conversion for "53 M37 posted by Curtis Franke on January 30, 1998 at 13:45:08:
: : I just bought a "53 M37 and the engine has a broken rod. I am interested in putiing in a 318. Do they bolt up t the original bell housing? What is needed? Will the clutch linkage be a problem?
: : I converted my cousins 52 M37 to a 350 Chey and also installed a GM power steering. I wouldn't do another one for anybody at any price. Of course I didn't have (and still don't) Lucarelli's book. I am going to contact him soon and compare notes. I probally did it the hard way using a late model chevy alum bell housing modified to fit the original M37 Trans, and yes the clutch and linkage is a bit of trouble. I converted this truck in 1991 and I thought It was "one of a kind" guess I was wrong. I need to find out where I can get 5.83 ring and pinion gears reasonably priced.
Hello, I own a 54 M-37 powered with a '62 318 Y block complete with a four barrel manifold. I would recommend this set up to anyone. There are a lot of good engines out there (not to mention alot of engines that aren't a small block chevy) It makes me irked to see a great, origional truck, with a generic run-of-the mill engine in it. Don't get me wrong, chevys are great in a chevy. As for the old big-block 318's like mine, it went in fairly easily (it's a tight one). I'm not certain whether the new 318 uses the same bellhousing, but I believe they're compatible. If you have the recourses (time especially , I found my engine complete for 350$ at a wrecker) I would really look for an old Y-block. It has great low end power, and is way overbuilt for endurance, a real work-truck powerplant.