Well, here's an interesting dilemma

[nifty]

I have been planning to rebuild the 250 that was sitting in the 66 GMC LWB Stepside I picked up recently, but have come across an interesting alternative.

A buddy called to let me know he has a wrecked 97 Silverado that he is needing to part out after a project fell through. The 5.7L Vortec V-8 and 4L60e transmissions are intact and only have 30k miles on them. He's thinking 1800 for them, which sounds like a good deal to me especially since the computer, alternator, etc will be thrown in.

Does anyone know if I can swap out front and/or rear cross members of the Silverado with my 66? If possible, it'd be a nice way to get the brakes and steering upgraded. I'll be going out to look at the Silverado on Tuesday, any other parts that I should keep my eye out for?

If I can use the rear end, would it be worth taking the gas tank too, guess I might have to dump the exhaust out in front of the rear tires... has anyone ran across this switch before?

I appreciate any advice you guys can give me!

James

[BR3W CITY]

the price seems a little high, considering that its really only a modern sbc, not a GenIII/IV engine, which goes for just a little more.

I highly doubt the crossmembers would even be close, as the widths are completely different.

You can take the gas tank if you want to put it into the bed, but it probably wont fit well in between the rails.

[nifty]

Yeah I figured that about the crossmembers, but didn't have the dimensions of the 97 in front of me.
I don't have a great grip on the engine pricing, are you thinking a gen III or IV with low miles could be had for 2k range?

[theastronaut]

There's a local guy selling a 4.8 and 4L60E for 1200 with the wiring harness and computer tuned for stand-alone duty. The LS based 4.8 makes a little more power than the old 5.7 Vortec's and would get better mileage. 4.8 and 5.3's are dirt cheap since there's so many out there.

[KJSR]

Take the FI off and install. Mega power and good fuel burn. 1800 is way too high......I would say 1200 max....you could buy the whole truck for that....

[nifty]

Sounds like I need to be making a few phone calls on Tuesday...

After doing so reading and looking around it seems like the 5.3 might be my best bang for my buck, although I wonder if its worth hunting down a Max with 6spd?

I'm not sure I'm competent enough to wire up one of these engines, any have an idea on the number of shop hours to install a modern vortec and transmission?

[Captainfab]

There really isn't much that you can use from the '88-'98 trucks to upgrade the suspension, steering and brakes on the older trucks. The brake booster can be used with one of my booster brackets, as well as the master if you don't mind the plastic reservior. The spindles, rotors and calipers, can be used, but is is not as simple as using the '71-'87 components. The steering box can not be used. The rear differential is going to be about 4.5" wider than the differential you currently have.

I'm a big fan of the Vortec 350's, and the 4L60E is a decent trans also, but I agree that these days, $1800 is a bit high for that engine and trans.

[nifty]

Thanks for helping out fellas, I can handle the old inlines, getting my head around some of the more modern engines is going to take me a bit.

Well, hopefully the yard has an early-mid 'burb sitting around waiting to get pilfered!