Engine Swap: I6/3 Spd to 350/350 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

19SIKtySix · 03-12-2014, 06:56 PM

Hey forum, so I'm a rookie at wrenching but I'm looking to swap out my I6/3 speed and have a 350/350 I'm wanting to put in.

I was hoping on getting some pointers on how to get started, anything I would need for the conversion.

Also, I would prefer to keep the column shift...is this possible?

I guess I should mention that I have a '66 BBW LB.

-Chuck

**TJ's Chevy** · 03-12-2014, 07:52 PM

You'll need the motor mounts, bigger radiator, new throttle linkage, different transmission cross member, may need to drill holes in the frame, no you won't be able to use that exact column far as I know...if you can find one that was for a powerglide or hydromatic it might work( I'm not positive). And some changes on the driveshaft U-joints.

**Captainfab** · 03-13-2014, 12:26 AM

Welcome to the forum Chuck

Basically the 350 will bolt right up to the motor mount brackets just where they are. Of course this is assuming that your I6 is a 230 or 250. If it is a 292, you will have to get a different passenger side motor mount bracket. You use the same motor mounts on the I6. You will have to remove the bellhousing crossmember, and install an auto trans crossmember. You can either use an original from a '63-'87 truck or go with an aftermarket one. Either way you will have to drill the mounting holes. If your current radiator sits down on the lower step of the crossmember, you will need the larger radiator that sits on the top of the crossmember. As for the column shift, there is a member that modified his 3 OTT column to use on a auto trans. I don't remember who it was, but he has a build thread in the 'Projects and Builds' section....I'll see if I can find it.

NEWFISHER · 03-13-2014, 01:22 AM

Capt fab is correct on the linkage build. Guy took coat hanger and ran the path. Used 1/4 rod and bent the angles in a vise with round pipe on one side and a couple 2x stock ends on the other. Threaded the trans end and screwed on a hiem joint. Ran the upper rod end through the selector arm, tightened it down after securing the hiem to the trans arm. I just spent 30 min trying to find the pics but all I could see in the threads at the bottom is capt fab and me reading the same ones lol.

NEWFISHER · 03-13-2014, 01:33 AM

Found it!

Stealing capt fabs thunder...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...linkage&page=2
Post #47

**Captainfab** · 03-13-2014, 01:56 AM

Steal away

Glad to see the OP got some help

19SIKtySix · 03-17-2014, 11:16 AM

That's why this forum is such a gem...plenty of helpful users. Thanks for all the info, it's appreciated!

03-12-2014, 06:56 PM	#1
19SIKtySix Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 119	Engine Swap: I6/3 Spd to 350/350 Hey forum, so I'm a rookie at wrenching but I'm looking to swap out my I6/3 speed and have a 350/350 I'm wanting to put in. I was hoping on getting some pointers on how to get started, anything I would need for the conversion. Also, I would prefer to keep the column shift...is this possible? I guess I should mention that I have a '66 BBW LB. -Chuck

03-12-2014, 07:52 PM	#2
TJ's Chevy Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 10,384	Re: Engine Swap: I6/3 Spd to 350/350 You'll need the motor mounts, bigger radiator, new throttle linkage, different transmission cross member, may need to drill holes in the frame, no you won't be able to use that exact column far as I know...if you can find one that was for a powerglide or hydromatic it might work( I'm not positive). And some changes on the driveshaft U-joints. __________________ 1966 Chevy C10 "Project Two Tone" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596643 1964 GMC "Crustine" semi-build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665056 My youtube channel. Username "Military Chevy": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_h...fzpcUXyK_5-uiw

03-13-2014, 12:26 AM	#3
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,246	Re: Engine Swap: I6/3 Spd to 350/350 Welcome to the forum Chuck Basically the 350 will bolt right up to the motor mount brackets just where they are. Of course this is assuming that your I6 is a 230 or 250. If it is a 292, you will have to get a different passenger side motor mount bracket. You use the same motor mounts on the I6. You will have to remove the bellhousing crossmember, and install an auto trans crossmember. You can either use an original from a '63-'87 truck or go with an aftermarket one. Either way you will have to drill the mounting holes. If your current radiator sits down on the lower step of the crossmember, you will need the larger radiator that sits on the top of the crossmember. As for the column shift, there is a member that modified his 3 OTT column to use on a auto trans. I don't remember who it was, but he has a build thread in the 'Projects and Builds' section....I'll see if I can find it. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

03-13-2014, 01:33 AM	#5
NEWFISHER Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 3,303	Re: Engine Swap: I6/3 Spd to 350/350 Found it! Stealing capt fabs thunder... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...linkage&page=2 Post #47 __________________ GOD BLESS AMERICA! Last edited by NEWFISHER; 03-13-2014 at 02:08 AM.

03-13-2014, 01:56 AM	#6
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,246	Re: Engine Swap: I6/3 Spd to 350/350 Steal away Glad to see the OP got some help __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

03-13-2014, 01:22 AM	#4
NEWFISHER Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 3,303	Re: Engine Swap: I6/3 Spd to 350/350 Capt fab is correct on the linkage build. Guy took coat hanger and ran the path. Used 1/4 rod and bent the angles in a vise with round pipe on one side and a couple 2x stock ends on the other. Threaded the trans end and screwed on a hiem joint. Ran the upper rod end through the selector arm, tightened it down after securing the hiem to the trans arm. I just spent 30 min trying to find the pics but all I could see in the threads at the bottom is capt fab and me reading the same ones lol. __________________ GOD BLESS AMERICA! Last edited by NEWFISHER; 03-13-2014 at 02:08 AM.

03-17-2014, 11:16 AM	#7
19SIKtySix Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 119	Re: Engine Swap: I6/3 Spd to 350/350 That's why this forum is such a gem...plenty of helpful users. Thanks for all the info, it's appreciated!

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