V8 Installation 1949-1954 Chevy Car. Steps required to install small block in a 49-54 chevrolet. The conversion is simple with the proper tools and some aftermarket motor mounts.

1. Remove Stock Emergency brake mount.
2. Trim or Remove Firewall fins.
3. Tack Weld Motor Mounts.
4. Test Fit Engine.
5. Remove Engine.
6. Finish Weld Motor Mounts.

In order to make everything easier I removed the entire front sheetmetal. You can keep the grill, radiator support, and fenders bolted together and remove the front assembly as a whole. After removing the front fender and motor, I removed the emergency brake mounts with a 4 1/2″ cut off wheel. On my 50 there was a few brackets on the frame that needed to be removed in order to install the walton’s motor mounts. An air hammer will quickly remove the brackets or if you don’t have access to air tool you can drill out the spot welds that attach the brackets to the frame.

Accessories that fit:

Headers/Exhuast Manifolds
For the stock steering sanderson headers will work with most small block chevy motors.

Cast iron manifold will also work. A rear dump type on the drivers side and a center dump type on the passenger side. See manifold in engine photo >>

With aftermarket IFS systems most block hugger headers will fit as well as a rear dump type on the drivers side and a center dump type on the passenger side.

I used Sanderson headers with the crate engine I am installing in 1950 chevy. Chassis Engineering also make a specific header for 49-54 chevrolet cars.

Emergency Brake
Since you have to remove the stock emergency brake mount to install a v8, here are some options to re-install an emerrgency brake in your 1949 to 1954 chevrolet.

S-10 Truck (junkyard)
Lokar
Control Cables (makes non-billet foot e-brake)
55-57 chevy car e-brake handle (May not be easy to find, mounts on left side of dash)
Gennie Shifter E-brake (Gennie sells a complete setup including cables)

Water Pump
A short water pump will fit. Long water pump did not fit in my 1950 chevy with a ZZ3 GM Performance crate motor and walton’s fabrication motor mounts.

Motor Mounts
This page is still in progress, check back for updates.

Motor Mounts:
Speedway Motors
Walton’s Fabrication
Chassis Engineering
Total Cost Involved
Chevys of the 40s (3659291M bolt-in, 3693425N weld in, 3700332 bolt-in)

Headers:
Sanderson headers for use with stock 49-54 IFS
Chassis Engineering

How-To Links:
V8 Conversion – Walton Fabrication Mounts and crossmember

How-To Links:
V8 Conversion – Walton Fabrication Mounts and crossmember

If you are starting from scratch here is list of accessories to outfit your small block.
(Coming in the future)

Firewall – Inline 6	Firewall – Trimmed	Walton Mounts	Motor Mock-up
Motor Installed

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