Posted by Charlie on November 26, 1999 at 00:09:52:
In Reply to: Repower of a 1950 posted by Richard on November 25, 1999 at 23:24:33:
Using the old transmission is just a matter of milling out the center hole of the bellhousing (I think it's 4.75" for the Power Wagon), tapping new holes for the bolt pattern, using the right pilot bushing, possibly shortening the input shaft to match the length of the bellhousing, and using a clutch disk of the right size with a hub the right splines for the existing transmission (1.00" - 10 spline). Many motors are used: 251 flatheads, Chrysler new and old V8s, GM and Ford V8s (mostly small blocks), and my favorite: diesels. Cummins, Perkins and Hercules 4 cyl diesels with 3.7-4.0L size, Detroit 3-53s, and GM 6.2/6.5s. Sometimes a 5 speed or an add-on overdrive is helpful for achieving peak performance, as is sometimes a gear swap to 4.89. And if you go that far, be sure to install front disk brakes.
Charlie