[steveo3318]

Ok guys I am sure most already know this but I just want to post a little information for future reference for anyone wanting to convert from inline 6 to v8 "CORRECTLY" on their truck. It has seemed to be a hot yet rare subject with little info offered up. Maybe this will become a sticky because it took me almost a year to find all these parts and know which ones were correct.
I can post pictures if anyone needs them, but please ask quickly before I get everything back together.

My main reasons for putting the correct Cross member brackets and linkages in for is at car shows the first thing noticed is my truck was an I6 and is now a v8 because the motor is to far back and it has a spacer on the fan. Also the shift linkage is just sloppy. Lastly I have a Saginaw 7 bolt with R10 overdrive I rebuilt that's going in and I just want the truck to be as period correct as possible. "and yes I rebuilt the Overdrive and trans myself" I also rewound the solenoid myself and rebuilt it also and know the winding wrappings if anyone needs that info. Amperage pull while engaged is key on these. To many amps and it blows fuses.

All this info pertains to trucks with a three on the tree. Thats it!

First things first

1. YES the Bellhousing cross members are different and they are in different locations. The I6 is further back by about 2 inches on the frame and in the rear holes. The V8 cross member has a higher rate of twist and moves to the front two holes on the frame. The cross members ARE different.

2. The Z bar, ball stud and bracket that mounts to the block, bracket that riveted to the frame, clutch linkage from inside to the z bar, and the Linkages from the column shift to the trans are different from the I6 to the V8 models with a three on the tree. The I6 linkages are 29" and 24 1/2" long. the V8 model linkages are 26" and 22" I believe. I am still waiting on my replacements to Arrive but I am positive they are shorter.

3. Optional, the saginaw with R10 overdrive is about 2" shorter in length which requires a longer drive shaft. and its about 40 lbs heavier than the factory standard saginaw. Neither of these transmissions came with a factory cross member on the rear for our trucks and 90% of the Overdrive units I have found have a crack on the main case mounting ears where it connects to the bellhousing. I believe its from the added weight and strain of the overdrive! The OD unit has the standard saginaw bolt holes for a rubber mount which I purchased and I am going to build a rear cross member for mine for added strength.

Overdrive info for our trucks! These are important as I found this out the hard way. Our trucks that have origanal overdrives have the 1.5" plunger rod on the solenoid which is EXTREMELY rare and hard to find, If yours has the easily found 1" plunger on solinoid ITS NOT a truck overdrive. The 1" are actually repopped, but 1.5" are not, I actually found a New old stock one I paid 600 bucks for in the original box because I wasn't sure I could repair mine. It is now a spare since I fixed mine. Also if your main case on your original OD is cracked a standard saginaw 3 speed main case can be drilled to work Its only two 3/8 holes. I am about to go take some pictures for yall. Please let me know if anything special is needed. If there is no interest in this please delete it admins. I am just trying to "give back" a little since so many great members here have helped me on my truck.