Posted by Daryl in Oz on Saturday, October 27, 2007 at 05:07:00 :
In Reply to: Some help on my conversion, please posted by Galen on Friday, October 26, 2007 at 08:05:53 :
There was a reasonable amount of coverage about this earlier this year - don't know which post though. I propose you remove the top 'nose' again and hook up everything else. Check that the mounting surfaces of the nose and side pieces are not deformed (if so fix) then sit the nose in place - it should only touch the side pieces and nothing else. If it's not, at least you will be able to see what is causing the problem. I have a M601 with 251 in it as well as a '54 with a 230. The M601 uses extension pieces to move the grille further forward to give extra clearance for the radiator, which mounts to the front of the frame. It also uses a different (taller) radiator support frame because of the way it bolts to the cross-member. I have looked at the differences between the 2 and according to my measurements if I was to put a later type 251 into the '54 I would use the earlier type water pump/pulley arrangement as it saves another 2.5" over the M601 water pump assembly.
Some of what was spoken about on the earlier post was that people who had a later type with 251 wanted the earlier look without the grille extension pieces, so if you can search for it you may pick up what you need to do.
Hope this helps.