P10 SBC 350/350 install

[mike48]

I'm in the process of installing a SBC 350/350 combo into my '74 P 10. The only major cutting was of the cross-member which was re-braced. I've done this a dozen or so times so I'm very comfortable with it's structural integrity. The motor mounts are Speedway items as is the TH350 trans mount. The trans mount cross-member had to be moved back, but holes from the factory are already in the frame to use. Outside of making sure the engine at the carb mount was level and the engine centered the process was pretty easy. Even the drive shaft won't need much in the way of a mod to work. Stock exhaust manifolds will work, new rad and longer hoses, e-fan rather than mechanical, dual exhaust with cross-over.

[litew8]

You're going to have one unique ice cream truck for sure

[P10-001]

Looks great!

[mike48]

Thanks. A few more pics. It'll become a camping/roadtrip rig; kitchen, shower
and a roof-top tent.

[stomper]

Nice! It looks so much less rusty than mine. I'm jealous. Why cut the crossmember? Wouldn't a standard SBC pan fit?

[mike48]

Cutting the cross-member was the lesser of two evils: keeping the stock SBC pan would have placed the engine too high, using a rear sump pan would still have put the engine too high. Either would not let the rest of the drive train line up (3 degrees down/carb mount level) without re-establishing the rear axle/driveshaft/trans interface which would have entailed lowering trans mount and rotating the rear axle and cutting the floor above the trans and making a tunnel.. Either of the pans would also call for a creative exhaust manifold/header dance and the valve covers may not have been removable. The squeezing wasn't worth the juice...it took me less than an hour to cut and set it up as seen and didn't create any problems downstream. I've done this same thing to about a dozen trucks/cars over the past 15 years without any problems. The front end on this one is fully boxed under/over and both sides and is much stronger than it needs to be.

I didn't know P 10's existed until I saw this one in my neighbors backyard. It was used as the prop-van and in the movie Hardwood, a locally filmed movie. It had a beat, but running I6/3 spd, all stock with almost no rust and that is all light surface. The 6 was shot and I had this 350/350 combo sitting around...

[P10-001]

I just found this in an old 1967 brochure.

[gdavis]

That is going to be one cool ride when it is done good luck. George

[jjzepplin]

I love this type of thinking and now I wish I had one too. I'm in!

[P10-001]

Any updates? I Just got a 5.7 TBI donor truck for mine.
How is the clearance between the drivers floor and the exhaust?

[mike48]

I've dropped the engine/trans in and have it 1/2 wired. The reason I cut the cross-brace was to insure that the engine/trans would sit below the floor. I took the oil pan off at first and found that the crank hit the un-cut brace and the engine/trans was well above the floor line. So, the brace got cut. As it sits, the floor and engine cover go back on as stock. I'm in the process of installing a tilt wheel, a power steering box, instruments (including a backup camera) and building a 30 gal fuel tank. I haven't decided what I'm going to do with the inside yet or if I'm going to paint the outside. It'll come to me....or not.

[P10-001]

Did you make a new trans crossmember? Is the trans lower than the frame rails? On mine, ground clearance is a priority since it is lowered. Your main concern was the floor section just rear of the engine cover, right? What trans are you running?
Mine was converted to a th350, but I'll be doing a 4L60E with the swap.
Thanks for the help Mike

[mike48]

Glad to help !

I used the stock trans cross member and the trans, a TH350, sits at the same height as stock. So, unless your looking to lay frame, it shouldn't be a problem. The trans cross member can be easily moved back, if needed. I didn't have to and will use the stock drive shaft. The idea behind the swap was to stuff in a V8 the trans with as few adaptations as possible. I thought about running an OD trans but decided to run the TH350, (I had a newly rebuilt one sitting around) re-gear the rear and throw in a posi instead, but I can see going either way.

[P10-001]

Cool, I'm going to try to not cut the engine crossmember. I like how yours is looking though! I'd love to see more pics of it too!

[mike48]

I don't think it will be possible to put a V8 into the original space; it will stand too tall or be too far back to use the original floor and engine cover. What other pics would you like to see? I've come to a bit of a pause in the project although I just mocked up the parts for the power steering box and steering wheel.

[P10-001]

Originally Posted by mike48

I don't think it will be possible to put a V8 into the original space; it will stand too tall or be too far back to use the original floor and engine cover. What other pics would you like to see? I've come to a bit of a pause in the project although I just mocked up the parts for the power steering box and steering wheel.

Can you take a picture from the front, around the driver side fire wall? I started to put my 350 in, it doesn't clear the floor support near the pedals. Time to start cutting a little....
Wish me luck!

[gdavis]

You have to put the 350 in the forward holes. The motor will be too far back if you don't and the distributor will be against the fire wall. let alone you can't pull the distributor out if you had a problem in the future. I have already faced this problem. Gdavis

[mike48]

If this isn't the shot you're looking for, let me know.

[P10-001]

Originally Posted by mike48

If this isn't the shot you're looking for, let me know.

I'm looking for zoomed out a bit, if that makes sense. I think the 68's sheet metal is a bit different from yours.
Thanks again!

[Justin@EntropyRad]

One-off for sure!

[mike48]

Again, let me know if these work for you.

[P10-001]

Originally Posted by mike48

Again, let me know if these work for you.

That helps a lot! The body on the 68 goes past the frame towards the center, my dog house, engine cover is much different too. I had to do some cutting. I'll post some pics on my thread if you'd like to see.
Thanks again!!!
I have a ton of work left, but I got the engine and trans in there and might still have room for a (small) gas pedal

[mike48]

Sounds like you've got a great project going; pics would be great!

[P10-001]

My floor after a trim

[P10-001]

I am keeping the serpentine system