Not a will this fit... It will
I have a 1957 Bel Air I have had it for 7 years now. I am not going to restore it to original. It was mildly hot rodded for a while. The car is completly disasembeled waiting on me to build it.
What I want is to swap the entire drive train over to a GM diesel. I want to daily drive the car and be able to pull my trailer, 16 ft car hauler, with it with no problem. I have had multiple small blocks and a few big blocks now I want a diesel. I know this is a lot of work but hot rods are what I do. I want to go with a newer setup (no more than 10years old) My queston what would be the best truck to use as a donor truck. I will be buying the whole truck so custom parts can be limited manly to mounting hard ware.
I am new to Diesel and want good power, good milage, and great reliability. What is a good all round truck to look for?

Why not get a GM crate 502 HP 502?

I thought about it and just dont really want to. Ive driven a 7mpg car before and the power is fun but not really what I want in this one. I want Diesel this time. I like to do things different. I think going with a stock drivetrain makes repairs easy because parts are redaly avalible. Alot of time has gone into the planning of this car and it will be show worthy but will be what I drive it everyday. So I decided to go diesel with this one.

Stole my idea, was thinking about 57 drag car, diesel of course, and a 57 truck to pull the trailer there. I know, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$...
Good luck, I can't remember the guys name or ID, but a member has a post with a Grand National with a Dmax between the fenderwells, if he can make it work, I am sure you can too.

Here is the info I could find. www.18to1.com
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3272813330707759731
http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1487743

Hope this helps..

I would find a wrecked Duramax powered truck with an allison transmission. Keep youe eyes open, they are around. Sounds like a great project.

My personal thought would be a LBZ series duramax. They rock and seem to have the most potential.

current issue of diesel power mag has a d-max chevelle being built to road race, so its for sure possible! Its only work (and $$$), go for it!

And keep us posted along the way!

PPE worked with some show, I think it may have been Pimp my Ride, on swapping a Duramax into an Impala. I think it was a 64, but I'm not sure about that. I think you should do a Duramax/Allison combo. It will require some wiring, but it's possible.

Thanks for the imput so far guys and this build will take a while. Wiring is the hard part but thats why I want the donor truck. Preferaplly one thats been rolled or somthing on those lines. I will be swaping EVERTHING over to the 57 then modifieng. I actually plan on using things like the stock radio. As odd as this sounds it makes wiring alot easer. The only thing I wont be using is the safety airbags.The car is a basket case right now but will slowly start coming together again.

The only thing Im worried about is the towing... I think its a neat idea but it is a low car to start with, and you'll have to have alot of reinforcement to be able to do it safely.

The only thing Im worried about is the towing... I think its a neat idea but it is a low car to start with, and you'll have to have alot of reinforcement to be able to do it safely.

Two words... Air Suspension!!!
It'll take a beatin and look good too. Just build the susp. to handle the load and add some heavy duty bags, like Conti-tech's.:D

Two words... Air Suspension!!!
It'll take a beatin and look good too. Just build the susp. to handle the load and add some heavy duty bags, like Conti-tech's.:D

That's a awesome idea! I never thought about that, the ride height would be infinitely adjustable and you could even use the HD rear end!
Just get big brakes :D
Best of luck.

I would examine the configuration of your 57 frame where the transmission would go, and see if there would be a fit. I doubt it, after fighting getting a 350 trans in my 57. 57 frames (convert at least) are very hefty and heavy and would hold the diesel, but the tranny could end up in your lap.

You may want to check out Nordstroms in South Dakota. I know they have many engines and vehicles for sale.

I'd go full tube frame. It opens up options for a stonger setup for the weight and towing.

For frames, you can't beat an Art Morrison frame. Also, let him know what engine and tranny and they will build the frame to match the requirements. You may also want to mention the towing factor, he should be able to strenghten the rear chassis up a little bit.
I am actually planning a 55, and the chassis is an Art Morrison. They come complete if you want with suspension, brakes and a nice Currie 9inch.

If your interested in mileage, a little towing and not a huge hump inside to cover an Allison, look at the setup fo the diesel vans. LLY/4L80, you could always build the tranny to handle the extra power a small program or chip could dish out.

Damn - you got me thinking a different engine on my next rod project. So how much more does a LBZ weigh than a BB Chev, say a 502? Doesn't seem any wider and about the same length (I could always stretch the frame). A very massaged LBZ coupled to a 4L80E would be very interesting and very different in a 33 Roadster.

Damn - you got me thinking a different engine on my next rod project. So how much more does a LBZ weigh than a BB Chev, say a 502? Doesn't seem any wider and about the same length (I could always stretch the frame). A very massaged LBZ coupled to a 4L80E would be very interesting and very different in a 33 Roadster.

That would be SIC!!!!:ro)