This is just and idea i have but need some advice on this 1940 olds coupe near me . i was thinking of dropping an olds 350 w/turbo 350 trans in this thing if i bought it. what type of mods to the frame rails need to be done to accept the 350 olds motor mounts? The car has its original rear end and drive shaft that i could possibly work with . i know i would have to make up a trans crossmember . Is there enough distance to fit motor and trans through that opening in the frame rails? pics of this would be great im going to search around the internet to see if figure out what people do for this . you see small block chevies in everything so there must be a war to rig it all up. The nice thing about a rat rod is nothing needs to be pretty ,just solid and functional .Thanks

 

A freind and myself installed a 455/TH400 in a 1948 model 76 about 20 years ago let me see if I remember the basics. We had to fabricate new mounts for the engine, it fit fine with headers no clearance issues. We used the same driveshaft and third member (had driveshaft shortened and balanced), the gearing was fairly agreeable to real easy tire spin with the torquey 455 but could still cruise on the highway. We had to modify the steering column by putting in a heims joint mounted to the frame to clear the headers. We replaced the radiator with a generic aluminum one that fit in the grill which cooled fine, I think we modified the original fan shroud to direct the air flow well. And as I recall we did have to fabricate a transmission cross member for the TH400 and then we put an aftermarket floor shifter on it. So assuming that by 1948 there had been not too many changes in the frame geometry (I have read it took quite a few years before anybody really changed their cars too much right after the war) you may have similar results with your project. Good luck and keep us posted if you do attempt it.