Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

So I'm thinking I need the rumble and power of a V8 in my 66 c10 long bed. Currently has 250 4spd on floor. What would be the easiest most economical engine swap I could do? Doing some research it looks like a small block will bolt right in. If I wanted to put a automatic in it as well, which one would be the best choice? It sees very limited highway use, mostly just around town cruises on nice days/nights.

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

This is an often asked question. We have a FAQ section for FAQ's. :)
Here are a few threads covering your questions:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=620816
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=214298
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=594800

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

I am kind of a low budget (cheap) guy and I love a 350/350 motor and trans with a 3.08 rear gear.

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

You want rumble , build you 6. Attach a 200r4 and leave your diff as is.

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

i would probably look through the want ads for a chevy truck between the 73-87 years , try to get one that has a good engine, trans, front end , and rear , and do all the swap you want for the best price you can get the truck for, thats what i did, got a 1987 r30 350, 14 bolt rear, brand new front end on it , and then i got a 700r trans from another source , that used truck only cost me $600

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

I have a question. How is your freeway speed? I have a 350/350 with 373 i think. It will burn the tire off all of first gear. Top end max at about 55 miles the motor is turning hard.

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

How tall are your tires?

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

Thanks for those links Rock. I had read those, they're not very step by step and leave a lot of questions in my head. I guess
I'm just trying to figure out what I need to compile as far as parts go to start stockpiling haha. Though I am considering just putting in a automatic for now as was suggested.

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

Thanks for the reply. I like your idea, for now haha. Why a 200r4 and not a 700, or a 350?

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

I plan on a mild roller cam TBI block that came with a machined mechanical fuel pump, Vortec heads, ramhorn manifolds 700R4 transmission and keep the 3:73 gears.

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

About 27" but currently I'm not using that combo.. I mentioned it simply as an uncomplicated low buck combo that I have used in the past and have been very pleased with. I offered it up as a suggestion since you were looking to keep a reign on expenses. Right now I have one truck with a 283/3 on the tree/ 3.08 and one with 283/Saginaw 4 speed/ 2.76. I hope to swap the Saginaw and 2.76 for a Muncie M22z and a 3.08 this winter.

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

Thanks, that's the setup I'm leaning towards.

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

I actually have thought about going the other way with my 65, from v-8 back to straight 6. When I bought my truck from my father-in-law back in 1981 it had a 292 with headers and dual exhaust and it sounded awesome.

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

I think I'm leaning towards leaving the 250 for now and just adding a 700r4. Though I am going to Barrett Jackson in a couple hours ��. With that setup, can I just mount an external tranny cooler since my rad doesn't have the ports? How do I know whether or not the trans is at an acceptable temp?

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

When I put a LS in my S10 I had a 700R4 built and the Shop told me to use a external cooler. They said my truck would run cooler and my trans would stay cool instead of adding heat to the radiator. 35,000 miles and Iowa heat still NO problems.

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

So to swap out the manual for the 700, besides the obvious cooler and floor shifter, can I use stock flywheel? Also what torque converter would be best with 250 i6?

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

Yeah, I read that somewhere also. The external cooler I bought has a kind of a thermostat to restrict fluid flow some until the fluid heats up some.

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

Auto doesn't use a heavy flywheel. It uses a flex plate. I don't much about torque converters, but for someone to answer your torque converter question, I think they'll need to know what gears you have in your rear and your tire height.

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

An external trans cooler can keep the trans fluid too cool. The trans fluid being too cool is not good either. it needs to either be run thru the radiator to help in cool weather warm up, or run with some sort of a thermo switch/valve to create some heat.

A 6cyl will likely need a slightly higher stall converter than a V8. I would suggest a torque converter for a 6cyl even if it is a V6.

The biggest challenge with installing a 700R4 behind a 6cyl is setting up and adjusting the TV cable to produce the proper line pressures in each gear. To my knowledge there are no TV kits available for the 6cyl stock carb. You will likely have to fabricate something. If the TV cable is not setup and adjusted correctly, you will burn up the trans in a short time.

Re: Easiest cheapest engine swap
 

Great info guys. Trust me I'm all ears. Cupl questions:
-flywheel vs. flexplate. What flexplate am I looking for, or which one fits that will work?
-torque converter. When I go to buy one, which 6cyl vehicles would've had one that would match up to the 700 and whatever flexplate I end up with? I think this is probably an easy match once the flexplate is figured out.
-TV cable. I think I saw somewhere that someone had fabricated a metal mounting plate/system for this. I will look that up and report back when I get home. I'm currently at Barrett Jackson auction at Mohegan sun. So much car porn here it's insane.