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Decided to make a thread on a build my friend and I just finished up. Picked up the car local to us in Maryland on April 6th 2017 and have just worked on it nights after work and weekends here and there. We both work at a body shop and are lucky enough to have the equipment/tools at our disposal to complete this build. We picked up the donor truck 2004 GMC Sierra 4.8L LS in March before we had the '54 with the intent of finding something to swap it in and came across a really good deal on facebook/craigslist on the '54. The '54 had the original 235ci "blueflame" 6cyl in it w/ Powerglide but owner said it had one cylinder low on compression but felt it was just head gasket. Car was all original with 73k on the odometer. We decided to pull the 235/powerglide and use the LS/4L60e out of the GMC. We picked up a 1968 Camaro 8.2" 10-bolt rear w/ 2.73's to swap out the closed driveline, but decided to keep the car as original as possible and kept the leaf spring rear susp. drum brakes and original steering setup. We just completed the swap and took it on its maiden voyage the other night. What a blast to drive! Enjoy the pics guys...
Day we brought it home
Out with the old 235ci Inline "Blueflame"6 cylinder
LS Donor Vehicle - 2004 GMC Sierra 4.8 LS w/ 4L60e
Closed Driveline from '54
1968 Camaro 8.2" 10-bolt w/ 2.73's
Cleaned up 10-bolt, installed new bearings,seals, brake cylinders/shoes etc...
In with the LS!
Fuel System Installed - NEW Tanks Inc. 18 gal '54 tank w/ walbro 255 and LS line kit - all quick connect fittings & corvette regulator/filter.
Man, THAT is a CLEAN install!! Nice job! You made it look like it grew there.
Side note: The bumpers don't look original, but I don't know. They DO look right! Are they from another car?
Also- Looks like the rear axles have the same track width, or very close. Either you did your homework or you lucked out!
Opinions are like @$$holes everyone has them. You do realize this was posted in the conversions and hybrids section right? What did you expect? That blueflame is nice until it doesn't start in cold weather and gets 8mpg. I'll take 20+ mpg that fires up every time over That! Move on troll......
Put about 60 miles on it last night, steering is fine, brakes are fine. Still has that old car "feel" I wouldn't hesitate to drive it cross country right now. I averaged 22.8 mpg last night driving around based on ecu readout
As stated, I would consider upgrading the front suspension as the stock setup has some weak links. Maybe a Mustang II-based setup. Check Heidt's to see what you can do.
Thanks! You are correct, the bumpers are known as "California" bumpers
Nice looking car, I dig 4 doors! Are you sure those aren't Desoto bumpers? '37 Desoto bumpers were a really common custom trick in the 50's, and these look just like them. First pic is a 50's custom '34 Ford, the second is an original '37 Desoto.
Car looks beautiful love the black and white color combo !! I’m doing the same swap on my 54 , did you use the original leaf springs to mount your rear ?
Yes. Used original 1.75" leaf springs. We put a 69 Camaro 10bolt in it and ordered this kit and welded the seats on the rear.
https://www.performanceonline.com/1949-54-Chevy-Belair-FleetLine-Rear-End-Conversion-Kit-with-Shock-Mounts/
Good luck with your build. Feel free to message me if you have any questions regarding how we did stuff.
02-03-2018, 05:45 PM
1954 Chevy Two-ten Series LS Swap 
