62 c/10 engine swap

[OldChevy61]

Been doing a lot of reading and the more I read ,the more confused.lol. looking to swap the 235 out to a 350 in. Will the front mount on the 6 work or is it different for v8? Will the bell housing with the slave cylinder work or different for v8. Plan is to go to 350 with 4 speed trans. Just trying to plan ahead.

[TJ's Chevy]

What's wrong with the 235?

[OldChevy61]

Other than it hasn't been started since 2001, I have no idea. Just got the truck and haven't tried to start it yet. It may be fine and end up staying in, but just doing the research in case I decide to go small block. I'm kinda partial to a hard hitting 350 w/4 speed. Never was much for the six,s.

[TJ's Chevy]

Well why not do something cool instead of what everyone else does and throw in a 383 or 427 or heck..why not a 454 and smooth shiftin 4 speed or 5 speed? 235 is a great engine, and a sweet cruiser with a 5 speed.

[OldChevy61]

$$$$$$ ,that's why,lol. Like I said, partial to the 350 but may stay like it is. Don't want no big blocks or automatics.

[TJ's Chevy]

Well...a 5 speed behind that 6 banger would work nicely. A T5 isn't all that expensive either. 383's aren't that spendy. 6 cylinders are a better motor then people think.

[OldChevy61]

Will the t5 bolt to the 6 cylinder bell housing ?

[The Rocknrod]

Originally Posted by OldChevy61

Been doing a lot of reading and the more I read ,the more confused.lol. looking to swap the 235 out to a 350 in. Will the front mount on the 6 work or is it different for v8? Will the bell housing with the slave cylinder work or different for v8. Plan is to go to 350 with 4 speed trans. Just trying to plan ahead.

The L6 front engine mounts will not work with a SBC.

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by OldChevy61

Will the t5 bolt to the 6 cylinder bell housing ?

I don't quite remember which years on the T5 directly bolted up...LugNutz knows and I'll have him give you some info on the T5 swap.

[OldChevy61]

Thanks, we may be on to something as I never gave thought to a 5 speed. If the local pick n pull has one ,that would be a steal.

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by OldChevy61

Thanks, we may be on to something as I never gave thought to a 5 speed. If the local pick n pull has one ,that would be a steal.

I sent LugNutz a PM and he should respond here with a whole Bible of info. lol I keep getting the years mixed up. Yeah, I just got done with a mild 292 inline 6 build and I'm bolting it to a tremic 5 speed. My 292 makes around 320 hp and 340 torque that and the 5 speed will make for some fun for sure. And still room for turbo to.

[OldChevy61]

Owned a couple 250,s yrs ago ,just never worked with them. Had a 235 in a 49 Chevy truck which was my first vehicle, many yrs ago,lol. I know my way around a SBC ,never put a wrench on a 6. Not looking to build a race truck,but want it to move when needed to move.lol

[jtrichard]

you need a small block V8 horseshoe front mount and a V8 juice clutch bell housing

[HumphreyMurdoch]

Putting a T5 behind your 235 is easy.

I used this spacer plate

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10017-T5-SPA...225154&vxp=mtr

You still have to trim the end of the input shaft and the bearing retainer. It's spend the $30 and do that or the much more expensive spacer plate where you won't have to cut anything.

Then, depending on the shape of your pressure plate, you need to replace the clutch disc and or pressure plate if its worn out.

If you've got a low hump trans you have to cut the floor a bit for clearance and get the driveshaft cut. It was the best upgrade I did, hands down.

[HumphreyMurdoch]

As far as going small block, you don't have to go with the horse shoe mount and hydraulic V8 bellhousing unless you're after originality. You can go with 67-72 motor mount perches or 73-87 3/4 ton perches, either need a small spacer as the frame is taller on the newer frames. For a bellhousing, you can use a new super easy to find, mechanical linkage style. I don't know what year of parts work to convert it, though.

I found this on Ebay a while back. I'm not sure if it is the 60-62 Hydraulic bellhousing or not, but sure looks like it and claims to have the right casting number.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/65-67-CHEV-G...5fe713&vxp=mtr

Hope any of this helps.

[OldChevy61]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help. I'm gonna try and get this 6 started tomorrow and see what I'm working with.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by HumphreyMurdoch

Putting a T5 behind your 235 is easy.

I used this spacer plate

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10017-T5-SPA...225154&vxp=mtr

You still have to trim the end of the input shaft and the bearing retainer. It's spend the $30 and do that or the much more expensive spacer plate where you won't have to cut anything.

Then, depending on the shape of your pressure plate, you need to replace the clutch disc and or pressure plate if its worn out.

If you've got a low hump trans you have to cut the floor a bit for clearance and get the driveshaft cut. It was the best upgrade I did, hands down.

I agree with HumphreyMurdoch. His method will work. That spacer plate, new clutch disc and a few minor modifications to an S10 T5 will get you working 5 speed OD tranny. I'm not sure that a low hump tunnel needs to be trimmed. Mine didn't require any tunnel trimming. I just needed to cut a hole for the floor shifter.

Another option is to do a tranny input shaft swap on the T5. That way you can skip the adapter plate and keep the 10 spline clutch disc you already have. Here are the details from my website page about doing the Jeep Input Shaft Swap.

While I really like the T5, you can consider an NV3500 as well. There are lots of things to consider before buying a 5 speed. A T5 will not withstand abuse (not for long at least). They are about the most affordable option and still fairly available. 1983-1993 Chevy S10 and GMC S15 trucks and 1983-92 Camaros and Firebirds. The V6 versions seem to be the best gearing with a 5th gear of 0.73 which work well with a 3.73 rear diff.

I also left you a PM.

[OldChevy61]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but can the astro trans be used without any modifications to the shaft. If I went this route I would be replacing the clutch anyway as long as its been sitting.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by OldChevy61

Correct me if I'm wrong, but can the astro trans be used without any modifications to the shaft. If I went this route I would be replacing the clutch anyway as long as its been sitting.

The Good: An Astro van T5 has several advantages. No adapter plate is needed. You don't need to trim the end off the pilot tip. The input shaft sleeve is the correct length too.

The Bad (but not really): An Astro or Safari van T5 is fairly hard to find. The shifter position is about 2.25" further back than the S10 T5 version and might interfere with the bench seat. It will have a 14 spline input shaft (same as an S10 truck) so you will need to buy a new clutch kit for a 1982-84 S10 which is 9 + 11/16". It will have a VSS style speedo output.

These pics are of a Safari van T5 I pulled out of a van. The offset shifter mechanism is an interesting design which can be removed and a standard S10 shifter is a direct bolt on, meaning it's just one more thing to buy.

[pestwagon]

to the OP- Ive owned a great running 292 4 speed 1966 Short Fleet BBW (also known as the "grey Goose" )search it. It got 14 mpg and ran nicely.
I also now have a 1964 Short Fleet BBW with HO 350 crate motor and a 200r4, that ALSO gets same MPG. But acceleration with a V8 is WAYYYYYYYYYY better.
I had been GIVEN a 1962 stepside with a straight six 3 spd on column. It was fun, great for in town, but had NO performance. WHAT are you going to use your truck for, really a dependable driver , or a parts hauler on the weekends only?
Long term for me the V8 won hands down. Doing a 350 conversion is hard in a 62, need stock front V8 mount (hard to find), narrower frame also. Easier to convert a 1964 on up.

[Monte's62]

OldChevy61, there is something to be said for working on things you are familiar with. If I was an old 350 guy, I would put in a 350. If you have more experience with the 6 cylinder go that route. But if you want more power go with the 350. Those 6 cylinders can be pretty impressive, but the right combination of cam and heads can wake up any 350. Put a whipple on top if you want something different.

[OldChevy61]

After a little tinkering and an 80.00 battery,and a little gas, the 235 is alive. No smoke, no bearing knock and decent oil pressure. Definatly an oil leak at the timing cover crank seal, and a nasty exhaust leak but other than that ran pretty well for not being touched in 15 yrs. Was surprised it sat and idled on its own after a few mins. Lots to think about and plenty of time. Thanks again for all the input.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by OldChevy61

After a little tinkering and an 80.00 battery,and a little gas, the 235 is alive. No smoke, no bearing knock and decent oil pressure. Definatly an oil leak at the timing cover crank seal, and a nasty exhaust leak but other than that ran pretty well for not being touched in 15 yrs. Was surprised it sat and idled on its own after a few mins. Lots to think about and plenty of time. Thanks again for all the input.

Congrats! One less thing to worry about.

[OldChevy61]

I'm likeing the T5 idea more now. If I can find one at the local pick n pull ,it will be even better. My son works in a machine shop,so the shaft modification should not be a problem. Plenty of time for that as truck is coming off the frame for a ground up overhaul.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by OldChevy61

I'm likeing the T5 idea more now. If I can find one at the local pick n pull ,it will be even better. My son works in a machine shop,so the shaft modification should not be a problem. Plenty of time for that as truck is coming off the frame for a ground up overhaul.

Remember, swapping the S10 shaft for a Jeep input shaft is the BEST way to get a T5 to bolt up hassle free. No adapter plate needed. Use a stock 10 spline clutch disc. Shifter comes up through the floor just like this photo of mine in my 1965 C10.