Im interested in putting a 429 in a 1957 Studebaker pickup. I would like information on the best 2wd transmission and rear end to handle the power and torque of the 429. Any information is helpful! Thanks!

 

Also I need a recommendation for a carburetor for a 1970 429.

 

Welcome to FTE.

For a trans, it is hard to beat the Ford C6 automatic. A manual trans will complicate things a bit as you will be fabricating clutch linkage or a hydraulic set up. Not impossible. If you go manual, it would be important to know the intended use. Hot rod? Truck?

Rear axle: Not sure what's in the truck now, but if it's a Dana axle you are good. If this is a half ton hot rod, a Ford 9 inch would work, or a Dana 60 depending on what bolt pattern you have now. (You don't want 6 lugs out back and 5 up front or some other mixed up set up, right?

Carb: Depends on use and what, if anything was done to the engine. A 600 CFM vacuum secondary carb would get you down the road just fine.

 

It is going to be a hot rod and sometimes a show truck when completed, but I want to be able to take it to the drag strip on occasion so it needs to be able to take some "abuse". I believe in driving a vehicle if I going to put the money into it. The truck has a 4 speed manual in it right now with a 259CI V8. It would cost more to rebuild the stock engine than to replace it. Plus I want the power. I do not know what the rear end is right now. Do you know how complicated it is to switch from a manual trans to an automatic?

 

Manual to automatic:

Easy. Install automatic. Plumb in a cooler. If you want to get fancy you can install a radiator with a cooler in it. Install linkage, either adapt a stocker or buy an aftermarket with a cable. Modify cross member and drive shaft to fit. Make a vacuum connect in the case of the C6.

You can install a single pedal brake set up from an automatic vehicle, or just ignore the clutch pedal or remove it and modify your existing set up.

As for the existing axle, no idea. Do you know the lug pattern?

I imagine it is reasonably stout by 1957 standards. You will need some kind of traction bar set up also to keep from winding up those springs and getting wheel hop. You'll break all kinds of things if you pour 429 power into a hopping rear axle.

 

I would say Ford 9", it is so widely used, modified, and has such the aftermarket support you can't go wrong. And seeing you can get different 3rd members to swap out if you want different ratios for Drap/Street setups.

I would hit up some Studie afficianados to see what would work in the '57. For one your going to be limited to what Bolts to the back of the 429, and just how much $$$$ you want to throw at it to make what ever engine/trans comdo work.