Questions on swapping standard to Automatic

[Truck96]

I have got a very nice 67 step side that's been previously restored.
It has a rebuilt inline 6, with a 3 speed on column and a aftermarket A/C on it not sure of the brand that the A/C is. I am wanting to put in a V-8 and a 700r4 transmission and keep the A/C unit. To make this go as simple and as quick as possible I would like to get all parts and stuff ahead of time. Anyone that has done this or has the knowledge to steer me in the right direction I would appreciate it. Starting with the steering column what years will fit and any alternative to not switching it out, and linkage to go with it, then the driveshaft since the yoke would be different what would be a good year to pick a drive shaft from, I no I would have to cut to length, and then for the aftermarket A/C the bracket is up top and high on the passengers side of engine, what would be the best way to get it hooked up to a v-8.

Thanks for any advice, I have dealt with engines a good bit way back but have not done any restoring or changing around, Only time I ever did tranny swaps was in the 80's and just installed floor shifters not what I want in this case, as I want it to be as close to stock as possible.

[Truck96]

No one's ever swapped a 6, standard for a v-8, auto 700r4, with info detailing the swap.

[67JimmyMO]

I can't answer your question but I have found tons of info on stuff I was wondering about in the builds thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...play.php?f=115

[Tx Firefighter]

That's an easy swap. No driveshaft mods needed. The 3 speed yoke is the same as the 700R4 yoke. And when you swap the V8 engine mounts in place of your six mounts, the drivetrain will move forward which makes the length of the driveshaft right again. The only situations where this is true with small blocks and either 700r4 or nine inch TH350 trans applications. It's just a lucky deal.

And I'm not just talking about some internet folklore I've read somewhere. I've done it on several of my own trucks personally.

[clemsonteg]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

That's an easy swap. No driveshaft mods needed. The 3 speed yoke is the same as the 700R4 yoke. And when you swap the V8 engine mounts in place of your six mounts, the drivetrain will move forward which makes the length of the driveshaft right again. The only situations where this is true with small blocks and either 700r4 or nine inch TH350 trans applications. It's just a lucky deal.

And I'm not just talking about some internet folklore I've read somewhere. I've done it on several of my own trucks personally.

Good info to tuck away. Does that mean that straight six/standard drive shafts are shorter than v8/standard or v8/auto shafts?

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

That's an easy swap. No driveshaft mods needed. The 3 speed yoke is the same as the 700R4 yoke. And when you swap the V8 engine mounts in place of your six mounts, the drivetrain will move forward which makes the length of the driveshaft right again. The only situations where this is true with small blocks and either 700r4 or nine inch TH350 trans applications. It's just a lucky deal.

And I'm not just talking about some internet folklore I've read somewhere. I've done it on several of my own trucks personally.

Just a couple more things, you'll have to cut out the 3spd trans cross member. It's a bit of a pain. It's easier to use torches to torch the rivets.

Then you just need an auto cross member off any 67-72 truck.

You'll also want the 700R to work right. I HIGHLY recommend bowtie overdrives. I bought their TVmadeEZ kit which they make brackets for different brands of carbs to work correctly with the trans, and their lock up kit which also uses a brake cut off switch for safety.

I swapped my truck from an I6-3spd to 350/700R about 12 years ago. I burned up my first trans because I didn't have it set up right. With the BTO stuff the new trans was installed in 2006 and has about 30K miles on it.

[67swb72klb]

and for the column anything from a 67-72 and all the linkage should bolt in your truck.
may have to do some minor fab work on the lower brackets
and as redneck said the 3 speed x member is no fun removing