1961 Apache HELP!!!!

[Robert31178]

ok, so my old boss is having me work on his truck since he runs a landscape business and with spring here and summer approaching he is too busy.

The truck is a 1961 Apache; it's had some work done - lowered, big block, auto trans.

He asked me to pull the front the apart, pull the motor/trans, and then the nightmare begins lol.....

The 402 is off for a bottom end rebuild; I'll do the top.

1) The headers I pulled off were RTV'd on with three gaskets, so obviously not a really nice set. They were so rusted I can't get a part number off to find replacements. No one goes back past 63, and the ones I have seen that would work are 67-80something that go with auto trans and you have to cut a small piece of the frame out.

2) He has a 4spd Muncie lying around and wants it in the truck lol....rgr. I have read that the bell housings don't fit unless the truck came with a manual originally. I think it did, the column has some linkages leftover, so....?

Pretty much I am hoping someone has made this conversion and can offer up some advice and a parts list for headers, bell housing, clutch linkages, clutch/plate/flywheel sizes.

Thanks everyone in advance!!!

~Rob

[Captainfab]

As for the headers, you will likely not find any listings for an application earlier than '67 since big blocks did not come in trucks prior to '68. With the torsion bar front suspension, you will likely have to go with a shorty or mid length header.

The '60-'62 Chevy's and '60-'63 GMC's all came from the factory with a hydraulic clutch. Since you likely do not have the bellhousing crossmember intact, I would recommend either a '84-'91 truck bellhousing, with which you will need a center register adapter ring, or else most any Chevy V8 bellhousing with the 4-11/16" center bore and a hydraulic clutch slave cylinder conversion from Novak Adapters. You will need to use a trans crossmember which you should already have with the auto trans that was in the truck. I do make booster brackets with the hydraulic clutch for the '60-'62 Chevy's and '60-'63 GMC's.

[Robert31178]

Whoa lol....already over my head. Yes, there was a simple cross member installed, just a piece of 2" square stock it looks like, and it can be moved darn near anywhere I should think.

The headers that I took of were medium length, and I have a part # from a hotrod shop that is in the middle of a 62 BBC build, the headers they used are for a 67-80something truck. The guys said I will have to relieve part of the frame. That's fine with me, but not my truck. I have also heard 2nd Gen Camaro headers as an option? the ones that came off only rubbed on the oil filter, and I would reuse them but the idiot who assembled this thing needs to be punched in the mouth - RTV'd the bejesus out of it, bolts and all, plus 3 gaskets, to make driver's side seal up!!! Oil filter, rgr, easy fix, dent a header (not ideal) or remote filter (better option). But this all fit with the auto......grrrr headache!

Now on to the Muncie and bell housing. Uh.....huh? This is a new thing for me. If I pos t pics can you just tell me what I need, like parts numbers? Be a heck of a lot easier for me since I'm brandy newbie at cobbling together a running rig like this. I have a 72 Stingray and it's super easy to find parts for. I have had trhee mid 80's 3/4 tons, again, super easy, but this is a new venture for me. My old boss/new friend figured out that I knew a thing or two about Chevys and is having me do this for him, I don't want to disappoint!!!

And thank you very much for the response. As above, brand new to pre-.....well, my earliest truck was a 64 GMC longbed Fleetside, but it was on a newer frame lol. This is all very helpful!

~Rob

[TheBrewery]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

Just wanted to add some more info to this thread... I tried a set of Hedman Elite headers for 68-72 Chevelles (#68198) on my '69 stepside as well. They pretty much fit just like 68 TT's hooker headers did, but mine are 1.75" tubes. I'm using the '72 BB motor mounts and also had contact on the clamshell bracket. I already had purchased a set of Hedman Elite headers for 67-up trucks (#69820), but the hung down WAY low. Below is a pic of the truck headers on the drivers side and the chevelle headers on the pass side. BIG difference in ground clearance, since my truck is lowered. The truck headers hung down even with the bottom of the lower a-arm... The chevelle headers are dead even with the bottom of the frame rail.

Quote from this thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=BBC+Headers

Wouldn't the truck headers clear the Torsion bar mount? The bars themselves run on the outside of the frame rail.

I am tackling this issue later this year when I swap in my 402, but don't want to waste the money on long tubes if they won't work

[Robert31178]

Thanks Brewery, that is a big help, posting the pic from the other thread. Once I get this ironed out I will post pics. I'll also take some pics of the headers I pulled off of it when I get a chance this week.
~Rob

[rvrfoot]

Them hang tooooooooooooo low.

[TheBrewery]

If the truck is not slammed is it really an issue?

I am looking at going the tucked route but will have to come thru the frame rail and tuck the mufflers under the cab and have turnouts at the step.

[rvrfoot]

Mine dumps down before the rear end.

[TheBrewery]

Rob, do you have a high hump or a low hump?

[Captainfab]

No the torsion bars do not run on the outside of the frame. They are on the inside of the frame......right in the way of long tube headers.

Originally Posted by TheBrewery

Wouldn't the truck headers clear the Torsion bar mount? The bars themselves run on the outside of the frame rail.

I am tackling this issue later this year when I swap in my 402, but don't want to waste the money on long tubes if they won't work

[Captainfab]

The frame and front suspension for a '61 is completely different from a '69 frame and front suspension. That frame and suspension was used '60-'62 only.

Originally Posted by Robert31178

Thanks Brewery, that is a big help, posting the pic from the other thread. Once I get this ironed out I will post pics. I'll also take some pics of the headers I pulled off of it when I get a chance this week.
~Rob

[TheBrewery]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

No the torsion bars do not run on the outside of the frame. They are on the inside of the frame......right in the way of long tube headers.

Captianfab, seriously not trying to come off as combative and differ to you and your knowledge of these trucks. Below is a photo or my Tbars and they are sitting below the frame. And as I type this I think I know how our wires got crossed, you are referring inside/outside to the left/right, I was looking at it as up/down.

Where do you think it would contact? The bar or the key hitting the collector or the primaries? There is an inset between the keys that could be a good spot for an x-pipe if you want to go below or could you go thru the cross member and reinforce it with some thick wall tube?