69 c10 396 swap

[Coronadj]

Hey guy well I'm starting my first project truck and its a 1969 c10 shortbed But right now I'm trying to swap a 396 bbc, it came from factory with a 250 inline 6 with HD springs front and rear (it was a parker ranger forest truck). It seats pretty level right now and I want to keep it that way.

How much do you think it will drop in the front with the 396? it came from factory with HD springs.

Also it came with a 4 speed and I believe its a sm465 and I want to know what do I need to get to mount the 396 to it?

Thanks

[hugger6933]

Get a set of big block front springs and a set of big block mounts or change it to the later clam shell type and a bigger radiator that is pretty much it. Of course it can be as simple or as extreme as you want it to be. Jim

[Coronadj]

thanks guys!! but is there anything I need to change on my tranny to mount the 396 to it?

[65standard]

I believe you can use the 250 motor mounts too. Just unbolt the upper bracket from the inline 6 to the upper mount. I did this on my 1967 years ago.

[65standard]

Same bell housing bolt pattern.

[Coronadj]

Hey guys I know some told me to get big block springs but I was wondering if it is necessary because my truck came with HD springs? or will it still drop the front end?

if you see my other threads I'm still trying gain a couple inches in lift so i already bought a 2" front coil spacer and a 1.5 for the rear. it just That I dont want the front end to drop when i put the 396. I seen a other thread, when some put the moog 1 ton springs but doesn't it give a rough ride?

[GASoline71]

If you don't have all the bracketry and pulleys off of a BBC, you will need all of them off the front of a 67-72 big block to make sure they all line up.

Garay

[Chucks72Longbed]

The difference in weight is only a couple hundred pounds. I personally would not change the springs. Measure it. Change the motor. Measure it again. You can always change the springs later. Just my opinion.

[65standard]

The 250 is 440 pounds and the 396 is about 630 pounds in full trim.

[LockDoc]

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The I-6 frame mounts will work but you will have problems with the exhaust, depending on what manifolds/headers you use. I would recommend the '69-'71 big block frame mounts.

As Jim mentioned you can use the '73 up clamshell type mounts, you just have to drill a couple of holes. There are instructions on how to do it in the FAQ forums.

LockDoc