77 Buick to 69 Chevy c10 conversion?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ready2sell · 04-14-2003, 12:18 PM

Listen, I've got a 69 chevy truck that I'll sell if I can, but if not, I'd like to see if any of the parts from a good ol' 77 Buick passenger car will be compatible with the truck!?

The Buick has a 403 and a 4 barrel in it, and I wonder how its engine, tranny, power brakes, and power steering might line up in the c10. Anybody know? any ideas? Can I use any of those parts to customize the truck?

Yeah, it's kind of crazy, but it's worth the try!!

O'l Buck · 04-15-2003, 02:31 AM

The engine and trans can be grafted into the truck, but the truck will need some modifications to make it work for you. Most everything is going to be different between the car and the truck though.

1969 GMC · 04-15-2003, 02:39 AM

I think that sounds cool, providing the 403 isn't a POS engine. I have never heard of someone doing this, so it'd be neat for you to have a kind of original engine swap.

ready2sell · 04-15-2003, 09:24 AM

Right on. It's good to hear someone giving me a little hope in this. Everyone else I've talked to about it has just kind of looked at me weird and changed the subject.

So, by your guys' opinions, where would be the first place to start to get the 403 and tranny in and mounted up? I do know a guy who'll easily do the drive shaft for me.

I'd appreciate any input I can get, seeing as how I've never done anything like this either!

Longhorn Man · 04-15-2003, 11:26 PM

That engine is an olds engine, the same that found a home in many...if not most, Trans-Ams from 77 untill 80. They are decent motors, but if you do anything to it, you need to address the oiling system first. This is the engine's weakest point.
As for instalation, jerk out the entire power plant, and every single thing bolted to it...motor mounts, mount towers if aplicable, all accesories..EVERYTHING. (you can probably ditch the A/C compressor, we both know its a dead player just along for the ride anyways)
I say rip the front clip off of the truck, jerk out the engine/tranny from it, and then hang your big block in place. You'll see what needs to be done.
There will be many little things that you will probably need to figure on your own being that this is uncharted teritory, I have seen caddys, pontiacs, buicks, even a ford motor in these trucks, but never an olds.
If you need towers and have no fab skills or fab means, I recomend the 72 big block truck towers. They are hard to find, and expensive, but they are flat and easy to adapt to non-stock set ups.

tom hand · 04-15-2003, 11:47 PM

Ok here's my play on it. Shouldn't be that hard. Get some "towers" from a 73 up truck. They are very similar to 72 bb towers except they are a dime a dozen at a bone yard. They should bolt right up to the 403 mounts. Bolt mounts ,towers and all to the motor and set motor and trans in as one piece. When the trans mount lines up, set it down and mark where the towers go. (white spray paint works well. Pull the whole sh!tamarie back out and drill and shim as necessary. Sounds like a fun weekend

crazy longhorn · 04-15-2003, 11:49 PM

yup, it will fit....I had a 455 olds in my longhorn. I used the stands/ brackets/ eng mounts for a late 70's 5.7 Deisel equipped truck install it. i do agree with Longhornmail on the 72 BB stands......they will set the nose height down a bit. The 403's are not a bad eng, but have "windowed mains"(great for stock app or a hauler that isnt run super hard), but if you plan hop ups, & a little racing the earlier BB Olds iron is a lot stouter casting. Good luck, crazyL

Longhorn Man · 04-16-2003, 12:15 AM

Oh yeah, you'll need the tranny too, a chavy one will not bolt up.

ready2sell · 04-16-2003, 06:23 PM

Right on, guys! Keep that good info and tips comin!

Another question: Is there any way to use the power brakes off the Buick? or the power steering?

Longhorn Man · 04-16-2003, 11:22 PM

I wouldn't mess with the brakes...but that's just me. Some one might be able to tell you to do it.
The buick steering...I'm asuming your truck is manual. If that is the case, it don't take too much to pop the gear boxes off and look into it. You'll be ripping the two vehicles apart anyways.

04-14-2003, 12:18 PM	#1
ready2sell Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 27	77 Buick to 69 Chevy c10 conversion?? Listen, I've got a 69 chevy truck that I'll sell if I can, but if not, I'd like to see if any of the parts from a good ol' 77 Buick passenger car will be compatible with the truck!? The Buick has a 403 and a 4 barrel in it, and I wonder how its engine, tranny, power brakes, and power steering might line up in the c10. Anybody know? any ideas? Can I use any of those parts to customize the truck? Yeah, it's kind of crazy, but it's worth the try!!

04-15-2003, 02:31 AM	#2
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	The engine and trans can be grafted into the truck, but the truck will need some modifications to make it work for you. Most everything is going to be different between the car and the truck though. __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

04-15-2003, 02:39 AM	#3
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	I think that sounds cool, providing the 403 isn't a POS engine. I have never heard of someone doing this, so it'd be neat for you to have a kind of original engine swap. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

04-15-2003, 11:47 PM	#6
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	Ok here's my play on it. Shouldn't be that hard. Get some "towers" from a 73 up truck. They are very similar to 72 bb towers except they are a dime a dozen at a bone yard. They should bolt right up to the 403 mounts. Bolt mounts ,towers and all to the motor and set motor and trans in as one piece. When the trans mount lines up, set it down and mark where the towers go. (white spray paint works well. Pull the whole sh!tamarie back out and drill and shim as necessary. Sounds like a fun weekend __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

04-15-2003, 11:49 PM	#7
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	yup, it will fit....I had a 455 olds in my longhorn. I used the stands/ brackets/ eng mounts for a late 70's 5.7 Deisel equipped truck install it. i do agree with Longhornmail on the 72 BB stands......they will set the nose height down a bit. The 403's are not a bad eng, but have "windowed mains"(great for stock app or a hauler that isnt run super hard), but if you plan hop ups, & a little racing the earlier BB Olds iron is a lot stouter casting. Good luck, crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

04-15-2003, 09:24 AM	#4
ready2sell Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 27	Right on. It's good to hear someone giving me a little hope in this. Everyone else I've talked to about it has just kind of looked at me weird and changed the subject. So, by your guys' opinions, where would be the first place to start to get the 403 and tranny in and mounted up? I do know a guy who'll easily do the drive shaft for me. I'd appreciate any input I can get, seeing as how I've never done anything like this either!

04-15-2003, 11:26 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	That engine is an olds engine, the same that found a home in many...if not most, Trans-Ams from 77 untill 80. They are decent motors, but if you do anything to it, you need to address the oiling system first. This is the engine's weakest point. As for instalation, jerk out the entire power plant, and every single thing bolted to it...motor mounts, mount towers if aplicable, all accesories..EVERYTHING. (you can probably ditch the A/C compressor, we both know its a dead player just along for the ride anyways) I say rip the front clip off of the truck, jerk out the engine/tranny from it, and then hang your big block in place. You'll see what needs to be done. There will be many little things that you will probably need to figure on your own being that this is uncharted teritory, I have seen caddys, pontiacs, buicks, even a ford motor in these trucks, but never an olds. If you need towers and have no fab skills or fab means, I recomend the 72 big block truck towers. They are hard to find, and expensive, but they are flat and easy to adapt to non-stock set ups.

04-16-2003, 12:15 AM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Oh yeah, you'll need the tranny too, a chavy one will not bolt up.

04-16-2003, 06:23 PM	#9
ready2sell Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 27	Right on, guys! Keep that good info and tips comin! Another question: Is there any way to use the power brakes off the Buick? or the power steering?

04-16-2003, 11:22 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I wouldn't mess with the brakes...but that's just me. Some one might be able to tell you to do it. The buick steering...I'm asuming your truck is manual. If that is the case, it don't take too much to pop the gear boxes off and look into it. You'll be ripping the two vehicles apart anyways.



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