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Quick introduction, I have two Olds engined projects that I am doing. One a 52 Chevy Ute (utility coupe, from Australia) that I am putting a 60 Olds 394 into. About 20 years ago parted out a 60 Super 88 4 door flat top. This engine ran great and has been waiting for the right swap. The 52 Ute currently has a 235 Chevy 6, with T5 and 56 Chevy car rearend. Plan to run manual trans with the 394, exact trans not determined yet but leaning to TKO 5-speed. Have a bellhousing and some of the clutch stuff; although the engine came with the controlled coupling auto. Other project is a 50 Chevy pickup, on a S-10 frame, that I am putting a 455 with T400 into. Just picked up the 455 and T400, still sorting out exact details on them. Next post will be to get information on this engine and trans combination.
Been around hot rods and classic cars a long time, retired engineer, live in Cincinnati OH area. If anyone hangs out on HAMB, I am 38 Chevy454 on there for about 25 years now. Looking forward to learning more about the Olds engines. Attached pic of my 52 Chevy Ute. The 50 Chevy truck is nothing to look at, just some parts currently.
Man, talk about something cool and different! I never even heard of the Australian UTE, RHD and all! How did you stumble upon that? The 394 will be a nice addition. Looking forward to updates.
Man, talk about something cool and different! I never even heard of the Australian UTE, RHD and all! How did you stumble upon that? The 394 will be a nice addition. Looking forward to updates.
The Utes are just a model that was never built in USA. My two Chevys are built by Holden, and the Ford is built by Ford Australia. I imported the two Chevys. Ford was already in USA when I purchased it. All three of my Utes are as built body and still RHD. It's not hard to drive, just different. Pedals are same orientation as LHD, so biggest change is left hand shifting and driving on far side of the road vs being closer to center. Importing the cars is mostly bureaucracy and of course some costs for shipping and logistics at each port. Pics of my 37 Chevy and Ford attached. 37 Ford 37 Chevy
Last edited by 394and455; Oct 12, 2025 at 06:17 AM.
Awesome, a 394 will be the perfect power plant for your ute.
And I don't even need the common starter crossover adapter, the left side starter is just fine with RHD! But back to serious, I think the early Olds will be a real neat engine in the 52 Chevy Ute.
