i am upgrading my 53 chevy to a 12v system with a 350 and th 350 th400 i have mounts and a transmission cross member im needing advice on drive shaft and rear end any advice will be helpful thanks

95

Asked by Matt Dec 16, 2013 at 02:41 AM about the 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air

Question type: Car Customization

This is my sons first car we are building it together it is 1953 Chevy 210 deluxe,  12 volt conversion, 350 cid with either a 350th or a 400th lowered with a nice rake to it i am looking for advice on anything for this project also i have found a donor 78 monte will the rear end work or is it too big??? Thanks!!

10 Answers

What a lucky kid...recommend don't bother with the donor vehicle and work with the machine that you have....summit racing has Brilliant 4 wheel drum-to- disc conversion kits that have everything...betcha they've got 6 to 12 volt conversions too will check now~ summiracing.com

1 people found this helpful.

solid state ignition, ammeter shunts they seem to have it all~ http://www.summitracing.com/search? SortBy=BestKeywordMatch&SortOrder=Ascending&keyword=12%20volt%2 0conversion&page=2

see, they've even got a rear drum to disc kit....complete~ http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-bk1326-x/overview/

1 people found this helpful.
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yeah he is def lucky the donor car has the motor and trans since im going SBC i have to replace the drive shaft and rear end i was hoping the montes would work?? everything else is staying the same we have rebuilt the front suspension with a kit from chevs of the 40s and im going with a15 circuit set up from painless wiring for the conversion i plan on a front disc conversion and would like to replace the stock master cylinder with a boosted cylinder on the fire wall. We are keeping the oringinal beuty rinngs and hub caps only thing in the air on that is the rim agrent silver or fire engine red def getting the white wall treatment i also have to redo the interior. This car actually sat on the farm my brother and i grew up on 30 years ago and never ever ever moved we played in it as kids and im glad i can restore it with my son like i dreamt of so many years ago

2 people found this helpful.
95

any one have an opinion on the rear end out of a 94 -04 explorer 32 spline???? any info on a drive shaft if i choose this option??

1 people found this helpful.

Rewire your car with a "Painless 12v wiring harness". & install a 12v battery somewhere either front or trunk. Measure from trans yoke to rear end yoke & have a custom aluminum drive shaft made. A 12 bolt Ford rear dif would be nice too. Drive shaft shops will advise you on how to measure. Or have one cut down & shortened. Depends on your budget. I know the 350 / 400 trans tail section will be much longer for your 53' Chevy application. I saw this done on a 55', & very cool.

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Thanks for the help guys!!!!.......i have looked at the painless 15 circuit it is resonably priced and i am goin to the junk yard this weekend to scope some rearensd i am also looking into the 82-92 S10 4x4 rear end it has the same bolt pattern and might be a lil bit cheaper. The car is going to be a cruiser not a race car i also am looking into a front disc conversion kit any suggestions ?? Also my springs in the back look to be in pretty good shape any tips on refreshing them for re use

A 9" or 10" Ford rear end is bullet proof & is the norm for old Chevy mods. S-10 stuff is smaller & weaker. Mustang II front ends, rack & pinion with disc brakes, is the norm too.And weld in braket kits are available. Do it up right, a 3:73 to 4:10 ring & pinion ratio posi for the street depending whether you use a small block or big block engine.

2 people found this helpful.
30

My 54 Delray has come from the back of the shop last summer , been sitting 38 years. I had this in high school 1973. Judge said pull the motor in 1975 or 30 days in jail on next offense, so out it came. I installed a 55 chevy rear end with 4:11 then. I installed 55 Chevy leaf springs this time. This will also be a cruiser. Not a hot rod. Currently in the paint shop. Everything has been fitted and installed; '89 TB 350 - 700R4, AC, stock front end cause it worked well then and it will work well again. disc's up front with stock 11" drums in back with a booster backing both ends up. Sweet and simple. Keep up the good work, your son will enjoy this time together and respect you for doing this with him, besides all the learning and teaching that comes with it. Regards , Billy

3 people found this helpful.

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