Is this to much damage for a swap?

[richards72chevy]

Thank you guy for all the replies.Ive been leaning towards just putting the a-arms, swaybar, spindle and brake off the 83 on the 66.I already have the old engine and trans and front sheet metal off of the 66.But i can undo the springs off the 83 then put the305 in the 66 and then take springs out of it. Does it matter what springs i use if i go this route?

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by richards72chevy

Thank you guy for all the replies.Ive been leaning towards just putting the a-arms, swaybar, spindle and brake off the 83 on the 66.I already have the old engine and trans and front sheet metal off of the 66.But i can undo the springs off the 83 then put the305 in the 66 and then take springs out of it. Does it matter what springs i use if i go this route?

With some guidance--hopefully a local guy who's done it before--he should be able to check/analyze engine condition by checking noise and oil pressure when it is cold; then doing same when hot; checking o/p swing under tranny-load when hot; etc--I can see you using many $$$$$(at junkyard prices) worth of stuff off this '83--I'm assuming it has auto trans. Eng/tranny worth ~$400-$600, plus a premium in that you will know after checking that there'll be ONLY ONE installation. Power booster/m-cylinder with disc brakes & spindles, complete, including it being a matched set,to include 5-lug truck wheel pattern, worth ~ $150-$450. Power steering pump with brackets and hoses and pulleys, power st. gear with correct pitman arm(arm alone costs $35-$90)--again a matched set worth ~ $150-$300. Probably a sway bar with brackets, worth ~$100-$155. Don't value differential for swapping: better to pull your axles from '66 & have them re-drilled to accept 5 lugs--just believe me on this, as it has many advantages over using a wider diff'l.

Quickly adding minimums, I totalled $800 that pretty much represent a simple unbolt-and-rebolt. [The maximums I got quickly, and subject to my errors, came up to over $1500. Talking about a return on investment!!!] Plus, I'd bet a small amount that you also have a useable tilt steering column worth another $125-$175. Also, some trucks around those years had a replaced safety gas tank moved to underneath rear with a relief to still accept the original spare tire storage: this may have been '73'ish models instead of '83'ish models.

But before you begin a process like "undo the springs off the 83 then put the305 in the 66 and then take springs out of it", get someone to come over & advise more direct & necessary procedures, even if you have to pay him some 'consultant fees'. Often having our quarterbacks 'present in the body' can be much more helpful and clearer than even such a great forum as we have on here. Even then, you WILL have more ???? that our forum will be able to help you with. I just feel you can greatly benefit with a lot of basic help that we might erroneously assume you are already experienced in.

Enjoy your upcoming work. Already you've done what so many of us on here now wish we would have done when beginning our project. That is, buying a donor that has all the minor extras like nuts, washers, brackets, linkages--not to mention its having many of the major upgrades(engine, trannies etc) where you can check them to avoid wasting labor having to undo the install & return to junkyard to have it replaced under warranty. You've made a wise decision and a great investment!

Have fun!