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.












Lokar Floor Shifter Installed







Manifolds were Modified




Mishimoto 3-row Radiator & 16" Flex-a-lite Low Profile 2500cfm Pusher Fan




Pieced together Air Intake w/ parts by Spectre



Some Finished Product Photos...

 

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!

 

Thanks! You are correct, the bumpers are known as "California" bumpers

 

How did you do the motor mounts?

 

Used transdapt 4196 motor mounts along with LS to small block adapter plates
http://www.jegs.com/i/Trans-Dapt/969/4196/10002/-1

 

Original engine is so much cooler.

Greasy 5 million produced truck motor in a nice old school ride?? Unimpressive.

 

Original Ble Flame is so much cooler than a moderns, shitty truck motor

 

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......

 

Strong with sarcasm, is this critic.... methinks....
I agree with you, 02NavyBlueZ...

 

Nice quick build BUT I would have changed the front end. How does it drive? How does it stop? How does it handle?

 

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.

 

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.

 

They look like the DeSoto bumpers, EXCEPT they wrap much further around the sides than DeSoto bumpers. Maybe a later model DeSoto?

 

Back in the '50s they were called Briz bumpers. As I remember there were 5 and 7 rib units.

 

I wonder if that was an invention of Andy Brizio, a well known '50's thru '60's customizer? Interesting history, nonetheless!

 

 

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.

 

 

What oil pan did you use ?????