67 gmc, need some help

[ez_lle71]

Hello everybody,
I have found some great info on this site and need some help. I am starting a project with my dad's 67 gmc. Its a 3/4 2wd with a 305 V6 and a 4 speed with reverse away from driver and down. Its leaf sprung with what appears to be a dana 60 rear diff. As you will see the condition is not the greatest but i think its worth it to get running and usable on the farm. My goal is to convert to a Small block V8 and get it driving. Then down the road when time and money allow a complete restore. I learned to drive with this truck and i have always liked to look of these body style trucks.
The things I have been trying to figure out is What all do i need to swap the v6 for a sbc? What years and models of trucks do i need to to be looking for to scavenge parts? Any hints words of wisdom or tricks will be greatly appreciated. i am a welder and bodyman by trade so fabricating is a good possibility. And here are some pics to give ya'll an idea what i am dealing with.

[nite53]

First, if the pics are of the subject vehicle, the engine is not a v-6, but a V-8, actually a highly desired 396.
Also look slike a one ton, not 3/4.
Definitely a GOOD truck
JMHO

[Stocker]

Welcome from N. Calif!

She is just a bit rough around the edges... someone will probably say "that'll buff right out"!

Sorry I can't help, but there is a huge amount of knowledge on this board and lots of helpful folks -- someone will chime in.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by nite53

First, if the pics are of the subject vehicle, the engine is not a v-6, but a V-8, actually a highly desired 396.

What? No, he knows what he has...

[too much stuff]

nite53, It is a v-6.
To do your swap, you will be better off to find a complete truck to do the swap. I think everything should be bolt on parts. Good luck with your project.

[sharpie1972]

Sounds like a worthwhile project. I agree on finding a complete donor truck if you want to do a V8 swap, you will probably come out money ahead vs. buying and shipping every piece needed for the swap. Teeitup is a board member in Kansas that would probably be a great source for parts or a complete parts truck. Also if you are lucky enough to find a 67 or 68 you may be able to get some of the body parts you need (such as a hood, yours is 69-70 style). If you come up needing any random 67 GMC parts let me know as I have several. Sharpie

[lovnthe70]

Looks like fun and i agree, try to find a donor truck or at least an engine with all the brackets and everything, all the little parts that you don’t anticipate you will need add up quick! and if your going to use a used intake manifold make sure its not cracked!(i learned that one the hard way!)

[70cst]

ez_lle71 and from Ohio. The fact that it is you dad's truck and you want to fix it up is really . 1st thing...is to be patient as you begin to fix your truck up and don't be afraid to ask questions. Also may I suggest that you become a "Site Supporter" ($25 per year) and the reason is ... if you need to purchase parts you can post WTB (Want to buy) threads. Its just a suggestion. Either way we are glad you are part of our family and feel free to ask questions and we luv pics.

[ez_lle71]

Thanks everybody for the welcomes and the ideas. Yea the grill and the hood came out of a junkyard years ago. My dad hit a deer and found parts that would fit. She is alittle beat up but for right now its a get it running effort. I feel like i am more likely to restore it one day if it is at least running and driving. the baby blue color has always been something i liked on this truck. I have a pic of the vin plate but was leary of posting it because i have been told not to do that before. There is a few guys at work that have several of these years of trucks that said they would help me too. thanks everybody and i will be asking questions often. thanks
ez

[Fitz]

That's not a highly desirable 396. That's the even more desirable 409 or the very undesirable 348!
Only the 348 & the 409 GM heads can mount those very distinctive valve covers.

[68gmsee]

Welcome from Texas...

Looks like you have your work cut out for you but it's a good hobby to keep you busy in your spare time. If you're young, you have a lot of time to put into it.

That engine looks like the very first engine I overhauled. I was just commenting on another post about how I jumped into it without knowing anything about overhauling or rebuilding and engine.

If you don't plan to use it, hold on to it since there are some guys that need and are looking for parts off those 305's. I personally didn't like the fact that the spark plugs were on top of the engine. A carb gas leak and spark plug spark just don't seem too safe.

The axle springs seem about right for a 3/4 ton. My 1/2 ton came with eight. I think GMC just liked to add those extra leaves for good measure.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by Fitz

That's not a highly desirable 396. That's the even more desirable 409 or the very undesirable 348!
Only the 348 & the 409 GM heads can mount those very distinctive valve covers.

No, it is not -- it's exactly what he says it is. There is a similarity in the shape of the valve covers, but that's it. Take a look at this thread.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=306611

[teeitup]

Fitz, its a 305 V6 motor, your pics aren't even our years trucks. This was a base 3/4 truck with the gas eating V6.
Sharpie, THANKS for the perk
ez_lle71, if you need anything let me know, I'm about a 1 1/2 hours from you

[ez_lle71]

well i plan on keeping all the parts for the v6 so if i ever have the money i can go thru it and put it back in. I am 27 yrs old so i have time but not alot of it free with a 3 year old and my wife due june 1st with our second. My dad told me tonite where a bigger v6 in a 2 ton sits that still runs good. that gives me a few ideas! haha
ez
p.s. thanks teeitup. i know the guys who bought thunder hill. probably be up there alot this summer with my cousin and his modified. Will definatly get ahold of you.

[Baged72]

Simply just look at the exhaust manifold and didn't big blocks come with 4 barrels? Looks like a 2 barrel to me.

[Stocker]

^ Or count the plug wires on the dizzy...

[69 longhorn]

Originally Posted by Stocker

^ Or count the plug wires on the dizzy...

Kinda hard to count the plug wires in the dizzy from the pic......but IT IS a 305 GMC V6 (some of the chevy boys havent seen this animal), & yes the valve covers are simular in shape to the 348/409, & the Z-11 427 crazyAL

[Bob B.]

How embarassing! I thought everyone on this board knew what a GMC V-6 was by now. We are supposed to be the experts. Anyway, yes, it's a 3/4 ton, that is a Dana 60, and your transmission is a New Process 435. A small block swap is pretty easy with a donor truck, as has been pointed out. The V-6 uses unique motor mount towers, so be sure to get the correct small block type. The transmission might give you some trouble if you choose to use it. The GMC V-6 has it's own bell housing bolt pattern, so you will need a Chevy (small and big blocks are the same) to New Process bell housing. They are out there, but they are rare, Might be easier to use a different transmission. That having been said, I would keep the V-6! Yes, they are a bit hard to get parts for now, and they use a lot of gas, but the V-6's low end torque is amazing. Plus, you will have a 'different' truck. I wouldn't trade mine for a loaded big block! If you want more information on these engines, look here:

http://www.6066gmcguy.org/

Be sure to check out some of the other engines in the GMC V-6 family, like the big 478's, the 637 V-8, and the 702 V-12.

[dieselarmy13]

Welcome to the site from another Junk Cityer! I won't be around home until later this year, but I have a few GMC parts laying around that might get you going. I could get you running a small block with a SM 465 with all the hardware you need in no time

I'll also second the motion on Randy (teeitup). He's a super nice guy and has good deals. Now all you have to do is find his damn house.

[Jacfourteen]

My truck started out very similar to yours; 305 v-6, granny four speed, dana 60 rear. When my brother got it from my grandad he was 16 and hot rodded it... those who know these engines know they don't like high rpms, so it spun a bearing. So when I was thirteen me and my dad found a 351 v-6 change out the bearing, turned the crank and dropped it in. That one lasted about 4 years and then it spun a bearing (freeway driving with a 4.56 gear did it in). So then I was 17 and my dad told me if I got it running it was mine. I figured that parts for the 350 were easy to get and cheap, and that the 350 had to get better milage than the v6. So I found a used 350 and started to drop it in, first snag I hit was finding the right bellhousing. So I lost interest and it sat for 10 years. when I found time to wrench on it (a wife and 2 kids later) I figured I wanted to start with a fresh engine, it just so happened that the guy I went to see about building my engine happened to be as obsessed with these trucks as most of the guys on here. He said he had 10 acres with about thirty 67-72 chevy/gmc trucks. He happened to have the correct bell housing and traded me for the bell housing I had. Then I found this site and it has been a big help getting my truck running. Welcome to the board and good luck getting your hand me down truck going again, there is nothing better than cruising the truck that you used to cruise in when you were a kid.
One thing I wanted to mention is that there are two routes to go when you convert to a small block. option 1 is to get everything out of a donor truck and moving the transmission forward this includes: engine stands, driveline, brackets, throttle cable, and all of the other stuff. Option 2 is to leave the transmission in its original spot and use engine stands out of an 250 I6, if you do this you can keep your driveline and throttle rod setup. the only thing is that if you go this route you will have a long ways between your fan and radiator, to fix this you can get a shroud out of a small block 4wd or go to electric fan setup. I went with option 2 and left my tranny in the original spot (for now anyways, there is a t56 planned for the future). If you have any questions or want pics or whatever shoot me a line and I'll help out anyway I can. Sorry about the long story, but I know how it feels to fix up a family truck. Good luck!

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by Bob B.

How embarassing! I thought everyone on this board knew what a GMC V-6 was by now. We are supposed to be the experts.......

I guess not many of us read the posts thoroughly or "all" the way...
He did mentioned it was a "305 V6" and I and others mentioned it also. The easiest way to remember the 305 V6 was the spark plug wires on top.

In defense of some of the other members, it is sort of a rare beast. I've only seen 3 of them in my looong lifetime. It was a workaholic of a motor back when gas was 28-30 cents a gallon.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by nite53

First, if the pics are of the subject vehicle, the engine is not a v-6, but a V-8, actually a highly desired 396.
Also look slike a one ton, not 3/4.
Definitely a GOOD truck
JMHO

Actually, I was responding to nite53, who claimed the engine was a 396, but it is, indeed a V6.

[292farmer]

id go for that big v6 in the two ton truck it should swap in easier then a sbc as they use the same mounts, idk which motor is in the two ton truck but me and my dads 72 c60 has a 401civ6 and we love it could be the 351ci v6 or 401ci but, if its the 472civ6 then im officially jealous, ive always wanted one.

[Bob B.]

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

I guess not many of us read the posts thoroughly or "all" the way...
He did mentioned it was a "305 V6" and I and others mentioned it also. The easiest way to remember the 305 V6 was the spark plug wires on top.

In defense of some of the other members, it is sort of a rare beast. I've only seen 3 of them in my looong lifetime. It was a workaholic of a motor back when gas was 28-30 cents a gallon.

That's true, they are rare in '67-'69 GMC trucks. For '67 and '68, both the 305 and 351 were available in GMC pickups. In '69, only the 305 was offered, and it was discontinued in March of '69. The V-6's continued to be available in commercial trucks and buses until '74. Chevy only offered the V-6 in C-60's and larger trucks. No pickups.

[factorystock]

Like the tv commercials, GMC V6's were professional grade. These are not street rod engines, they are heavy duty engines designed for high torque at low rpm's and to run long intervals between overhauls, simialar to why we buy diesels today.