engine swap

[Super-Dave]

I have a 68 long step side with inline 6 wanting to install 350 v8, anyone know what all I need as far as engine mounts, cross member?

[EyeH8the24]

you can install it where the six was ..but dizzy will be close to fire wall...or you can get the v8 stands and move it forward where the stock v8s are

[Werewolf]

Are the V8 stands really any different? I thought all you had to do was unbolt the original ones, move them forward into the bolt holes one notch up, and be on your merry way. I know the V8 mounts sit upside-down compared to the 6 cylinder ones.

First time I did a conversion, at about 15 years old, we didn't move the pads up, and couldn't figure out why the V8 wouldn't sit right with the manual 3. So we just got an automatic and modified an Impala crossmember to fit in the back. Course, the fan still didn't fit into the shroud...

Anyway, doing it right (moving the engine up,) if you stick with the same trans, you shouldn't need a new crossmember. If it's a manual, you'll need a new clutch pivot point to bolt onto the V8's side.

Don't forget to get a new radiator! That bigger engine is going to want better cooling.

[EyeH8the24]

i have done the swap and left the six stands in the stock location ...and used a hei ..had very little room left between dizzy and fire wall...but drove the truck years with it that way and no problems..the truck was original straight 6 with a 3 on the tree...i put a 350 with a glide in with a custom tranny mount

[Super-Dave]

What 4spd would be good to use in this app.

[Werewolf]

Depends on what you want to do with the truck.

[Super-Dave]

just street mostly some light hauling

[Werewolf]

These trucks came with the old granny-low first four speed transmissions. I actually don't remember any of the details about them. Depending on your rear gears, first may as well be useless. I never used first on a 4:11 geared K20 when I was younger; there was just no point.

Other than that, you're looking at a Muncie or Saginaw four speed out of a car. The trucks never came with 'em. Right now, those are only going to get harder to find, and cost a good amount. I don't know what setup you've already got, but if you have a stock four speed now, and you don't want to go through a ton of work, stick with what you have.

If you want to be different, pick up a later model 5 speed out of something like a 4.3 V6 powered S-10 if your HP application is lower, or maybe a more beefy 5 or 6 speed out of a 90-02 Camaro or something. Then you could run some nice, tall gears and still have an overdrive.