1996 engine swap into 1966 thoughts
 

I have a 1996 silverado 1500 with new rebuilt auto trans, all stock including the 5.7 Vortec. Drives perfectly. Owned it for 18 years but should downsize on some of my vehicles. Its a long bed Single Cab.

I also have my 1966 that I went through with my brothers help about 10 years ago, it has a 350 three speed auto and a 4 barrel double pumper holly. It started puffing rich white smokey exhaust about 5 years ago so I parked it unfortunately. Owned it since '98. Previous owner used it as a track truck so it sorta has some decent power, I really like it.

When I first purchased the 1996 Silverado mid 2000's I thought about putting that engine and maybe trans into the '66. Today the 1996 Silverado is for sale and i'm so sick of all the low baller time wasters. Then it hit me, my idea from before about placing the 1996 Vortec into the 1966.

Whats involved in doing so? Is it an economical swap? I don't think the Vortec is a LS or is it? I like it regardless. I like the idea of fuel injection for the 66 and its a proven power train. I'm not very mechanical, i'm a wood worker.

Is that a bad idea, I have 9 vehicles and really should downsize, honestly I have half on non ops because the auto insurance is killing me here in Cali for the past 3 years.

Maybe it would be better to take a lowball offer on the '96 and buy a fuel injection kit or something for the '66? I don't know, Im only asking 3k for the 96 obs but spent 4k on a trans rebuild 8k miles ago. Its pretty clean but high milage and its a long box. I have new trucks too but thought about daily driving the 96 instead.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated, This guy really upset me today, even after negotiating a price for the '96 and me driving it to his house to show it to him (he's a local with no transportation), he still proceeded to try to get an additional 30% off the price. i'll let it sit before that happens or just use it as a donor for the '66. thank you guys... Sorry for the long post,just frustrated.

Re: 1996 engine swap into 1966 thoughts
 

Since you have the full donor truck it is a doable swap, pull wiring harness and mark all the connectors then swap everything over. Your 5.7 Vortec is not an LS but the later truck LS engines do go by Vortec 4800, 5300, 6000 etc. Yours is basically the last of the old SBC motors so its basically just a newer 350 like what is already in your 66. If your not comfortable with automotive wiring that is one area you might want to find a friend or local shop that can help before tearing into it.

Re: 1996 engine swap into 1966 thoughts
 

I'm (still) working on putting a '97 Vortec in my 66 longbed. Here's what I've learned:
A Vortec is kinda like an SBC. But different. If you tear into it, it's spendy. The oil pumps are common. Gaskets, lifters, cam, distributor, cam chain & sprockets, flex plate, pistons, bearings, harmonic balancer, water pump, intake manifold are all different, all cost way more than sbc parts. There's no place to put a fuel pump.
The good news is, FI motors last a very long time if maintained.
What trans does your 96 have? 700R4 or 4L60? 4L60 needs trans controller, has electronic speedo. I believe you need that for the ECM to work. 700R4 likely has electronic speedo, but you can replace the sender housing and drive gear to use your TH350 cable and 66 speedo. You'll also need a converter lockup kit, or not.
Not only will you need the harnesses for engine, ECM, and trans, you'll need a fuel system like the '96. Easiest way is a new under bed tank with pump and gauge sender and new fuel lines.
You'll need a really good radiator, fan, and shroud. The fan should work with the ECM.
Radiator hoses are a challenge if your A/C is on driver side. Haven't solved that yet.
Clearance the frame to get the stock exhaust manifolds in.
The sbc motor mounts fit.
The 700R4/4L60 is longer than the 350. Rear 350 rubber fits, drill new holes in frame to locate trans crossmember.
I shortened my 1-piece longbed drive shaft.
Electrical will be not fun. The 66 electrical system is totally inadequate for a modern engine. I don't know the power requirements of the ECM, but you'll need enough amps for that, plus rad fan and fuel pump. The stock 66 ignition switch can't handle it. Chances are your brown wire is already melted at the switch.

I built my Vortec, and chose to go with a carb, manifold, cam, a new sbc HEI distributor, and a 700R4.
I added an inline fuel pump, filters, and regulator from in-cab tank to carb.
I got a cheapo aluminum radiator, mounted a fan.
I advise you to get an aftermarket wiring kit. You cannot DIY it cheaper. You'll need the kit to power the ECM, fuel pump, and fan. Plan for 20 amps each.
My DIY setup has relays for the red, pink, and brown wires off the switch, just to run the old crap, fed HEI off the pink. I added a relay+fuse box up front for lights, horn, rad fan, fuel pump.

Summary for least pain: Go aftermarket throttle body fuel injection and manifold, trans controller if 4L60, HEI distributor with the right gear, aftermarket wiring kit, under bed tank with pump, fuel lines, new radiator and fan, and find a way to deal with the speedo.
Don't touch the Vortec. If you crack it open, you might as well have gone LS.

Re: 1996 engine swap into 1966 thoughts
 

Just a few thoughts.....

Not all late model 90's trucks (90-98 C1500's) had electric fans. My 3/4 ton '99 OBS has a clutch fan so the motor can be cooled w/either option.

If swapping the entire drive train, all the wiring for the motor + trans (if electronic) is needed if you want the most out of the updated set-up.

The transmission is likely a 700r4 vs an electronic 4l60e. S10's got the electronic versions first around '96 but I don't think the C1500's got them until '98.