Engine and Trans swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BookMan · 09-19-2003, 06:30 PM

I have a 68 c10 with a 327 and a 4 speed on the floor (originally 3 on the tree) I also have a 79 van with 350 and auto trans. The drive shaft broke in the truck last week so I am thinking now is the time to put the 350/auto into the truck. Other than drive shaft length will I have trouble with shifter linkage? Any other potential problems? Thanks

jef5150 · 09-19-2003, 07:14 PM

as far as linkage ,id go with an aftrmarkt shifter ,like b&m, its 1 cable,hooks w/bracket to the tranny.....i think auto trans uses a different cross member mount......

lukecp · 09-19-2003, 07:20 PM

I also believe that autos used a different crossmember.

A auto crossmember should be very easy to find in a salvage yard. Assuming the TH350 out of the van has the same tailshaft lenght as the TH350 tailshaft used in these trucks, you could also pick up the correct driveshaft at any salvage yard without a problem.

The engine itself should bolt right in......I second jeff's reccomendation of the B&M shifter....it would proably be a bit easier to install than getting a automatic steering collum and piecing togeher a linkage....plus it looks cooler

Longhorn Man · 09-19-2003, 11:19 PM

The 79 van should have the long tail shaft, so a custom shaft would be the easy way...it would probably take forever to find a correct fitting junk yard shaft.

Tx Firefighter · 09-19-2003, 11:26 PM

39 bucks and you've got shifter linkage. No holes in the floor this way either.

jef5150 · 09-20-2003, 03:15 PM

im curious how hes gonna control what gear on his 3 speed column shift pattern hes gotta be in to put his automatic into park,reverse,neutral,drive ,second,low........hes got 4 gear positions on his column,but 5 gear positions on a turbo 350???,, ,maybe im missing something,,,,,jeff

72c10step · 09-21-2003, 07:39 PM

My friend controlled his TH350 with a 3 speed manual column shifter (at least until he grenaded the tranny). He had no problems, and could get it into every gear, he just didn't have the gear indicator on the column, so he'd have to count the clicks to find the gear he wanted.

09-19-2003, 06:30 PM	#1
BookMan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Iowa City, IA, USA Posts: 9	Engine and Trans swap I have a 68 c10 with a 327 and a 4 speed on the floor (originally 3 on the tree) I also have a 79 van with 350 and auto trans. The drive shaft broke in the truck last week so I am thinking now is the time to put the 350/auto into the truck. Other than drive shaft length will I have trouble with shifter linkage? Any other potential problems? Thanks

09-19-2003, 07:20 PM	#3
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I also believe that autos used a different crossmember. A auto crossmember should be very easy to find in a salvage yard. Assuming the TH350 out of the van has the same tailshaft lenght as the TH350 tailshaft used in these trucks, you could also pick up the correct driveshaft at any salvage yard without a problem. The engine itself should bolt right in......I second jeff's reccomendation of the B&M shifter....it would proably be a bit easier to install than getting a automatic steering collum and piecing togeher a linkage....plus it looks cooler __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

09-19-2003, 11:26 PM	#5
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	39 bucks and you've got shifter linkage. No holes in the floor this way either. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

09-21-2003, 07:39 PM	#7
72c10step WHYBYNU when old will do? Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Loudon, NH Posts: 876	My friend controlled his TH350 with a 3 speed manual column shifter (at least until he grenaded the tranny). He had no problems, and could get it into every gear, he just didn't have the gear indicator on the column, so he'd have to count the clicks to find the gear he wanted. __________________ -72 Chevy C10 Stepside -2002 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 -1984 Jeep CJ7 -1995 Polaris XCR600 Custom -2003 Honda 300ex

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09-19-2003, 07:14 PM	#2
jef5150 Inline 69 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: valleysprings,california Posts: 1,018	as far as linkage ,id go with an aftrmarkt shifter ,like b&m, its 1 cable,hooks w/bracket to the tranny.....i think auto trans uses a different cross member mount......

09-19-2003, 11:19 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	The 79 van should have the long tail shaft, so a custom shaft would be the easy way...it would probably take forever to find a correct fitting junk yard shaft.

09-20-2003, 03:15 PM	#6
jef5150 Inline 69 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: valleysprings,california Posts: 1,018	im curious how hes gonna control what gear on his 3 speed column shift pattern hes gotta be in to put his automatic into park,reverse,neutral,drive ,second,low........hes got 4 gear positions on his column,but 5 gear positions on a turbo 350???,, ,maybe im missing something,,,,,jeff



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