couple of ?????

[61 chevy]

i have a 61 chevy short wide big back window. will a dash from a 64 fit in it. and what is a good tranny for this it has a sb 400 now with the old power glide, how much trouble is it to swap to a t350 or 400 or even a 700r4.

[Clyde65]

changing the dash is a monumental task because the dash is bolted on the sides but spot welded to the cab at the windshield, I dont know if the 64-66 dash would work because of the 60-63 dogleg cab configuration. how far along are you in your investigation

[aerotruk63]

In order to clarify, would you be speaking of the entire dash that's welded to the cab or the instrument panel that screws into the dash that contains your gauges?

[61 chevy]

i havent started yet but i did not know it was welded to the cab , it was just a thought, because i changed the hood , i didnt like the two big openings in the front, and thought it would look better if the dash matched. thanks for the info, so far i have a front disc brake crossmember to switch out and new rear end so the bolt pattern will be 5 on 4.75. other future plans include a duel 3 inch exaust and gear drive, also airbags for the rear and drop spindals for the front.

[jonzcustomshop]

a 60-63 gmc dash would be a solution, a 6456 would require some fabrication...

either way you will have to weld it in under the w/s gasket

[markeb01]

Not sure if you’re aware but the stock disc brake rotors have a 5x5” bolt circle. If you want the 4 ¾” passenger car pattern CPP can offers a kit:

http://www.classicperform.com/Instru...DF/6062DBK.pdf

Here’s a thread that might be helpful if you’re swapping in a 73-87 crossmember:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=366850

I thought I was the last guy around that still enjoyed the sound of a gear drive. I’ve had a Pete Jackson noisy drive for almost 20 years.

[NWGreaser]

Do you still have the original hood and would you be interested in selling it?

[Captainfab]

Since you have a '61 with the X-member frame converting to a TH350 or TH400 isn't as easy as it is on a '63 and up truck. Did the truck originally came with the powerglide. Either way the current trans crossmember will need to be modified. If you decide to go with the 700R4, be very, very certain that the TV cable is adjusted correctly, and that you have the TC lockup operational. If the TV cable isn't setup correctly, you will burn up the trans very quickly.

[markeb01]

Here's a thread about installing a TH350 in a 1960, showing the factory automatic transmission crossmember. A 700R4 would require a custom crossmember, but at least this might provide some ideas:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=369663

[61 chevy]

thanks for all the suggestions, as always very helpful. NWGREASER sorry i dont have the original hood it came that way. i think it came with the tranny because there is no clutch pedal. does anybody know what is a good set of headers for the 61 frame. and yes i was wrong about the bolt pattern i am changing it to the newer truck pattern 5x5.