I have acquired a 2 wheel and a 4X4 S-10 chassis to put under two of my Champ pickups. I hope someone on the forum can tell if they have done this what were some of the obstacles they ran into. It looked to me like the main thing was getting the engine in the right place in relation to the front wheels so it will fit in the tight Champ engine compartment. Any help or comments would be appreciated. Thanks. Bruce.
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
S-10 Chassis for Champ pickups
Collapse
X
-
First, good luck with the build. A later chassis solves a lot of major problems and creates a thousand minor ones along the way.
so it will fit in the tight Champ engine compartment.
jack vinesPackardV8
-
Being as how I didn't get any replies about Champ body to S-10 chassis I will take pictures and post on the forum on what I ran into during the builds!
Jack - as for your disagreeing about the tight engine compartment. It is tight in length compared to all the other SBC engine swaps I have done! It is 2" shorter than a CJ-7 Jeep. Using a serpentine belt system complicates the issue for length. If I was putting a SBC in a Hawk no problem. Even my Avanti's have plenty of room for the SBC with a serpentine belt system. There a quite a few engines wider than the Stude V8 and taller. I have put a BBC in a M-5 pickup before and it was snug but I had the room. In a Lark or Champ that would be impossible without major firewall reconstruction. Still hoping to hear from someone about their S-10 chassis build. Thanks. Bruce.1958 Transtar 3E6-122
1958 Transtar 3E13-31
1959 Transtar 4E7-122
1959 Lark 2 door Wagon
1960 Transtar 5E28-171
1960 Lark Gasser
1963 Daytona
Comment
-
I run a SB chev in my M Series on an S10 Chassis. I had to move the Firewall back 2" and my Distributer and trans dip stick were still very close. The water pump nose is about 1/2" from the rad. Thus I have a pusher fan on the front of the rad.
So I agree that the engine compartment on PU's is a little short. Or at least on the M series....don't know much about Champs???
Good Roads
BrianBrian Woods
woodysrods@shaw.ca
1946 M Series (Shop Truck)
Comment
-
I used the original studebaker chassis on two of my M-5 project trucks and didn't have to do anything with the firewall and still ran a clutch fan. One was with a SBC and the other was a 455 Pontiac. Must have something to do with the S-10 chassis compared to the Stude chassis and how the engine sits in the frame rails. In both of those particular pickups the engine sat very low compared to the hood opening! I think how I set the Champ body in relation to the S-10 chassis heigth wise may be a determining factor on room. I wish it was going to be as simple as when I did the M series conversions. Bruce.1958 Transtar 3E6-122
1958 Transtar 3E13-31
1959 Transtar 4E7-122
1959 Lark 2 door Wagon
1960 Transtar 5E28-171
1960 Lark Gasser
1963 Daytona
Comment
-
My motor does not sit up high...but it is not low and lost in the hole like some I have seen.
BrianLast edited by woodysrods; 09-10-2011, 05:15 AM.Brian Woods
woodysrods@shaw.ca
1946 M Series (Shop Truck)
Comment
-
But it better have booties. Ever been attacked by a cat. Had a buddy that had a Champ truck up on ramps, changing the oil. Laying on his creeper. He wasn't wearing any shoes, just socks. Cat attacked his toes and he whacked his head on the bottom of the truck
Comment
-
First, my apologies for this off-topic diversion in your S10 chassis conversion thread.
There a quite a few engines wider than the Stude V8 and taller.
jack vinesPackardV8
Comment
-
The 232-289 Stude V8 is approx. 23 1/2" wide without exhaust manifolds and 25 1/2" with. The engine is almost square. 23 1/2" at the valve covers. The Stude is 26 1/6" long from the back of the Pass side valve cover to the center of the fan belt. Same measurement from the dist. to the fan belt. It is a very compact engine for the weight. I have put a number of different engines in both cars and trucks over the years. And can tell you that some engines that are narrower will not fit and some that are wider will, depending on the position of the exhaust outlets. The old Chrysler Hemis. are 30" wide and the new Fords are 34" wide. That SBC fits in the Champ like they were made for it and there is enough room on the top for a GMC 471.Last edited by Alan; 09-10-2011, 01:38 PM.
Comment
-
As usual, Alan has the hard data.I have put a number of different engines in both cars and trucks over the years. And can tell you that some engines that are narrower will not fit and some that are wider will, depending on the position of the exhaust outlets.
Having said that of the C/K, the short wheelbase sedans, Larks, Champs and Avanti are entirely different animals as far as fore-and-aft engine placement. I had to make several fore-to-aft changes to fit the Packard V8 in my C-cab.
jack vinesPackardV8
Comment
-
As I said before length is the most pressing problem! My SBC engines with TBI or TPI with serpentine belt systems need 31" without a fan and about 33" with a SS flex fan. Doesn't look like there is any room to move the radiator forward at all. Bruce.1958 Transtar 3E6-122
1958 Transtar 3E13-31
1959 Transtar 4E7-122
1959 Lark 2 door Wagon
1960 Transtar 5E28-171
1960 Lark Gasser
1963 Daytona
Comment
-
Bruce, I have never tried to put an S-10 frame under a T-cab. I have put 11 different engine combos in T-Cab trucks and still have the patterns that I made for my Plasma Cam for mounts. To me it is going backwards to do what you want. But please put up pics. of your progress. My latest T-Cab project is at Sonnys site, Racing Studes. On the Projects page about half way down the first page. For me it is easier than over here, some people get grumpy about the large pics. on dial up.
Comment
-
Alan, I guess if it is backwards to want a stronger frame, better brakes, better steering, and way better suspension then I am going about it backwards!1958 Transtar 3E6-122
1958 Transtar 3E13-31
1959 Transtar 4E7-122
1959 Lark 2 door Wagon
1960 Transtar 5E28-171
1960 Lark Gasser
1963 Daytona
Comment
Comment