1982 Chev C10 short bed 6/4spd stick to 8/auto?

[dgas]

1982 Chevy short bed half ton, CHEEEEEP, the only kicker is that it is a 6/4speed granny super low first tranny w that huge floor shift handle sticking out of the floor. The 6 to BBC is easy to figure out ,but that heavy hunk of iron 4 speed to auto ? How? I would leave it, but My BBC is already custom balanced w the flex plate.
One of three trucks I am considering, I have a simular ??? about a 69 6/3speed column stick to BBC/truck T350 auto. I Think it will all line up w BBC M-mounts except the truck T350 I have is a long Tshaft type.

[Pyrotechnic]

Just remove the clutch linkage, install a floor shifter for the automatic, and slide the crossmember to the proper position on the frame.

[dgas]

We're getting closer to getting that 83 SWB home. the BBC is done and tranny shopping will wait until the truck is here. I plan on a BBC/T350. I do not think a 700R4 or 200R4 will stand up to my BBC and I know a T350 will using a few cheap tricks I know from my drag racing days. T400's have too much residual power loss to run them. What is needed in the way of a drive shaft? I plan to lower it to its practical limit w spring/shackle kits w/o a C notch kit. Maybe dropped spindles as well later. so will need to modify the D'shaft?

[N2TRUX]

The 700 will endure the BBC if built correctly. You didn't mention what gear your running, but an OD transmission might be nice with a big block.

Everything you need will bolt in. It might be easiest to find a donor truck and salvage the parts for the conversion.

Some of the items that come to mind are a 4 core radiator, with 4C brackets, mounting pads, cover and shroud. BBC motor mount stands, auto trans column, linkage, crossmember, D shaft.

[dgas]

Not sure what gear. But whatever came w a 250 + 4spd granny tranny. I should mention that the truck has a two pc drive shaft, I have a B&M ratchet floor shifter (Which is what I want) and all the parts needed to do a 3 speed auto conversion inside the cab including a '90's Velour power seat and the parts to do a T350. Milage is not a concern as this truck will be a show/cruise only affair w no daily/trip/hauling or towing driving at all. The mount stands I have and a Later model donor Alum. diesel radiator. As common as Chevys are here the crossmember it is no big deal to find IF I know which I need. (I think all auto's are the same in those years) Too expensive to do any of the 4speed auto's anyway. plus I am not familiar w them inside or out, so home done mods would require a lot of research. Parts are big money for these as well consideably more than a T350 or a T400 (which I do not have).

[thirdstreettito]

How about your BBC with a M22 Rockcrusher?

[dgas]

Nope, Custom balanced w a Hays SFI flexplate for automatics. I cannot run a clutch w that foot anyway-disabled. Actually that is why a truck is attractive now, I'll be using a walker/scooter soon. room to load either.

[Albatrossian]

I have a 81 GMC that was L6/4sp.. I converted mine to a built SBC/700R4 combo. The swap was very easy and after I destroyed the first 700R4 in it, I rebuilt the second one by myself. Rebuilding the trans was easier than I thought it would be and fairly inexpensive. I think I might have $200 in parts and it'll take all my SBCs 325+ ft/lbs of torque. Like N2 said, if they're built properly, they'll take your BBC easily and they also have less parasitic drag than a TH350.

[dgas]

Any tunnel issues? MY BBC has considerably more tourqe than that in the 490-500+ range,far from stock w the potential for MUCH more. I have been warned to stay away from a 700R4 modified or not w my setup by several tranny guys.

Its like the old saying
"How much money you have + how fast you want to go.....?" ANY trans can be modified to handle # + HP... how much money ya got?

[Albatrossian]

Originally Posted by dgas

Any tunnel issues? MY BBC has considerably more tourqe than that in the 490-500+ range

None at all. You'll have to move the crossmember around to get it where it needs to be but you won't have to replace it.
Check out the video on www.bowtieoverdrives.com. It's the one with the 10 second squarebody with a 700R4 in it.

[dgas]

drive shaft issues? As SBC and BBC have the same mounting points. What you did, I would need to.
Nice truck and sounds right. Also it is an impressive site as well w a lot of good info. Prices are right inline w the market. If i was going to buy a ready done trans they would be in the running. It is not my case just yet. Its probable in the future tho.
Right now my goal is to get that BBC in the truck, have something for the rest of the cruise season and do the breakin and testing B4 I go bigger and better.
At this point, nothing is written in granite.

[Albatrossian]

I do believe the 4-speed is shorter than a 700R4. But a long tail TH350 and a 700R4 are basically the same length so the driveshaft can swap between them.