V-8 swap

[biohazardbill]

Correct me if I am wrong, been a bit. To put a v-8 in place of the I-6 do you just move the motor perches? Or is it a whole other set of perches?

[mud.man.rj]

When I changed to a V8 on a 67-72 I had to change mounts and also move them.

[jtrichard]

JUST move back UNLESS you have a 292 then you have to change the right/pass side bracket

[Captainfab]

In the '63-'66 trucks the 230/250I6's and the small blocks were installed in the same location and with the same engine mounts and frame brackets. The engine mounts themselves are the same from '63-'72, except for the '68-'72 big blocks. If you want to move the engine forward, you will need a set of frame brackets for a '67-'72 with a small block. Personally I have never had an issue with a small block installed in the original location, even with an HEI.

[MikeN]

Agree with CaptFab. I replaced the I6 with a 350 in my 64 C10, and couldn't believe how easy it was. Not only do the mounts and frame brackets interchange, you can use the same bellhousing, flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, release bearing, and starter. On mine, even leaving the frame stands in the original location, there was still plenty of room for an HEI distributor.

[jtrichard]

OOPS I stand corrected I was under the impression that like the GMC V6 that the L6 used the front holes ( and I am doing the V6 to V8 right and that could have FOGGED up my already CLOUDY head LOL) ....Knew that the brackets where the same EXCEPT the right for 292

[Shtudwn]

Wow....so a stock GM HEI distributor will fit? Just got my truck and it has a 350 and it looks way too close to the firewall. Would anyone be able to give me a diameter size of the HEI distributor so I could check my clearance?
Thank you.

[MikeN]

Originally Posted by Shtudwn

Wow....so a stock GM HEI distributor will fit? Just got my truck and it has a 350 and it looks way too close to the firewall. Would anyone be able to give me a diameter size of the HEI distributor so I could check my clearance?
Thank you.

It's a tad tight, but if you remove the distributor cap the HEI distributor can easily be removed and replaced with the engine still in the truck.

[Captainfab]

I agree. I usually remove the rotor too, just to give a little bit more room. Like I said, I have never had a problem with installing a HEI in a '63-'66 truck with a small block in the original rear location.

Originally Posted by MikeN

It's a tad tight, but if you remove the distributor cap the HEI distributor can easily be removed and replaced with the engine still in the truck.

[Jimal]

I'll say tight. I don't know what has shifted, but at one point I was able to turn my HEI to adjust timing, but when I attempted to check and adjust things tonight, the cap was wedged up against the firewall.

[padresag]

only one of 2 things can cause that . either your eng mounts are shot or your cab mounts are
ron

[Jimal]

Originally Posted by padresag

only one of 2 things can cause that . either your eng mounts are shot or your cab mounts are
ron

I'm leaning toward the body mounts. I thought engine mounts, but when I attempted to jack it up it didn't budge. I already have transfer case mounts to replace and the body mounts don't look much better.

[Jimal]

The cab mounts did the trick. The P.O. stacked a bunch of mounts together to act as sort of a body lift, so replacing the mounts lowered the cab a bit, but the angle must have shifted just enough because I just tried turning my distributor and was able to do it enough that I'll be able to reset my timing as part of a bigger tune up.