Engine swap

[65_longbed_beauty]

I have a 65 C10, it has the small straight 6, I am thinking its the 3.8, it is a great running motor. I have the 3 speed transmission with the shifter on the column. I am debating on swapping out the the inline 6 for a small v8. However I dont want to lose my style of shifting. In all honesty I am just wanting a cool truck to drive, not going to race it or any of that stuff. Any suggestions would be great. I may have a chance to get the bigger inline 6, is this motor worth building? What size v8 can I swap in and still be able to keep my same tranny or at least the on the column shifting??

Thanks,
Al

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum Al

You can go with either of the 230, 250 or 292 I6's, or any Gen I or Gen II small block from 262 to 400. Any of those will bolt up right in the same place as your current engine. You could also go with the 4.3 V6 if you so desired but that would require a little fab work for the motor mounts. That's the beauty of working on a Chevy.......lots of interchangeability.

[jtrichard]

one thing you have to watch out for is if you get a 400 (or a 383)you have to have a flywheel off of a 400 (very hard to find)as they are externally balanced all the other small block V8s are not and very easy to find a flywheel for

[65_longbed_beauty]

Thanks! So your telling me I can use lets say a 283 or 350 motor and it will bolt right up to my 3 on the tree transmission?

Thanks again!

[geezer#99]

Yes they will and contrary to jtrichard's post a 400 will to with your flywheel and a 35 dollar balance plate.
Also a 454 is the same as a 400. It too is externally balanced.

[65_longbed_beauty]

This is all good to know! How about clutch, will I need a heavy duty clutch or just a stock clutch?

Thanks

[geezer#99]

Stock one works fine!
Is yours chattering now?
If the six runs so nice why not keep it and hotrod it a bit with an intake, carb and headers.
Check this thread for good lookin' 6 bangers.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=276823

[Captainfab]

For a stock to mild engine, all you need is a good 11" clutch. I would make sure the flywheel gets surfaced as well.

[NixxiN]

I'm thinking about doing a 6.5l diesel. you guys know anything about that?

[Captainfab]

I do not know anything about that conversion, but I would suggest checking out the Diesel Conversion section of this forum. You'll likely find some help in there. Keep in mind that the frames are very closely the same from '63-'86 in the C and K series, and thru '91 in the R and V series. So some things that work in a later model truck, can likely be applied to an earlier model also.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...ysprune=&f=240

Originally Posted by NixxiN

I'm thinking about doing a 6.5l diesel. you guys know anything about that?

[65_longbed_beauty]

Yesterday I was attempting to tighten up my thermostat sensor and instead I cracked the housing it sits in. I have tried looking the part up but all I can find is the thermostat housing. I cant find the lower half that attaches to the engine.......any help would be great. I am not even sure what to call the part, I tried to search lower thermostat housing but had no luck!

[Sharps40]

That's a tough part. Yer most likely going to have to hit the salvage yards and pull one yerself....don't think its available as an aftermarket piece.

[65_longbed_beauty]

Yup had to hit the salvage yards! Pickings are slim where I am at, most yards dont have vehicles beyond 2000! I didnt find the part on a 67 I think. It was identical other than it didnt have the hole for my temp sensor. I had to buy a new upper thermastat housing that had a plug in order to use my temp sensor! Over all cost me about 50 bucks! OK now for a stupid question! I used teflon tape around the adaptors for my temp sensor, but I am getting a small amount of leakage. Any suggestions to fix this???

Thanks!

[64LBSS]

I had the same issue and ended up just getting a 283... LOL.. not just because of the leakage, just found a great deal on this little 283. I don't mean to sound to obvious, but have you cleaned the threads really good on both the housing and the sensors before the tape? Once I did that, my leaks went away. Lastly, got any pics of your long bed? I've got one too..

[65_longbed_beauty]

So I actually decided to do an engine swap. I bought a donor truck and I have been slowly stealing parts off of this. Its a 66 Chevy short bed. Its rusted way bad. Has a 350 in it tho. I was all set to pull the motor this upcoming weekend, but I actually had a small miracle happen to me! This old guy I met at a party totally hooked me up with a complete 327 (TOTALLY FREE) that has been sitting in his garage for about 30 years. So I will be rebuilding this gem instead of the 350. I will post pictures soon! I need to spend more time on this forum.....