Hopefully I can get some help?

[Mr.Hyde]

To start off I am using a 283 in a 68 c10. I am really hoping you guys can help me and keep me on a roll I seem to be on with this truck.

1) rear axle conversion, what other vehicle would be compatible to do a 5 lug swap? I believe the rest axle are 30 3/4 And 5 spline?

2) running a 283 I'm havin a hard time finding a transmission, I was lookin at taking one from a s10 but I hear they are weak. I am looking for a manual 4 or 5 speed that is fairly common and reliable that I can put some power through.

3) for a power steering pump and gear box what would be a good donor vehicle to look for?

4) I hear people using blazer gas tanks, what year are these tanks taken from? Or is it better to just order new?

Any help would be amazing I don't have a huge amount of experience and hope to get some help through the learning process. As much info as possible on individual components would be amazing too.
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[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by Mr.Hyde

To start off I am using a 283 in a 68 c10. I am really hoping you guys can help me and keep me on a roll I seem to be on with this truck.

1) rear axle conversion, what other vehicle would be compatible to do a 5 lug swap? I believe the rest axle are 30 3/4 And 5 spline?

2) running a 283 I'm havin a hard time finding a transmission, I was lookin at taking one from a s10 but I hear they are weak. I am looking for a manual 4 or 5 speed that is fairly common and reliable that I can put some power through.

3) for a power steering pump and gear box what would be a good donor vehicle to look for?

4) I hear people using blazer gas tanks, what year are these tanks taken from? Or is it better to just order new?

Any help would be amazing I don't have a huge amount of experience and hope to get some help through the learning process. As much info as possible on individual components would be amazing too.
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On the trans, you can go with a 4-speed from multiple 60's and 70's cars with no issues. I just put a 4-speed saginaw in my truck and I'm very happy with it. I have a 327, and I can't imaging installing behind a 283 is any different. The little Saginaws are found in lower end Camaro's, Monza's, El Camino's, etc. If you can find one a Muncy 4-speed is a great trans, but they seem to be pricey. Cheapest I found was $500 and it needed to be rebuilt. I did the Saginaw for 2 reasons, it was free, and it was a direct bolt in for the 3-speed manual my truck already had.

For a 5-speed, you would want to look at 80's Camaro's and the like for a donor. They will require some work to mount up though, definitely a crossmember and possibly custom, and probably a new bellhousing. Perfectly do-able, but its some work.

If you have a lot of $$$ to spend I'd do a Tremec.

If you do a search there are a bunch of threads with good info on trans swaps. I found everything I needed to know that way.

[Mr.Hyde]

Cool I think Ive seen a few muncies and saginaws on a buy and sell website
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[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by Mr.Hyde

Cool I think Ive seen a few muncies and saginaws on a buy and sell website
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Saginaws are pretty easy to find as they won't hold much more than 300 HP, and if you abuse them at all they won't stand that long.

Muncy's you can pretty much do whatever you want. Just more desirable makes them more expensive.

[Mr.Hyde]

Found an sm465 for 80$? I think it would need some tlc.
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[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by Mr.Hyde

Found an sm465 for 80$? I think it would need some tlc.
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Not certain, but I think the 465 is a granny low type truck trans. I went with a car trans to get better ratios. All depends on what you want.

[Mr.Hyde]

I want something I can cruise is but something that has some pick up when I need it on the highway
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[Sammy]

In regards to your other questions:
5 Lug conversion..Most reasonable conversion would probably be removing your axles and having them redrilled to 5 lug at a machine shop. Slightly more work is swapping in a different year..such as 71/72 C10. I recently done this. Keep in mind you still may end up redoing the brakes and so forth.
Rear mounted tanks..Blazer tanks are available everything from poly to steel type. They do hang down in the rear but can be used with slight mods. Biggest mod is the filler location. If you do a search there are some good ideas here on the board. More pricely are custom tanks. Boyd Tanks in the vendor section from the board. Makes some nice products and haven't heard but good reviews on his custom products. And he can make them filling through the bed floor.

[CC69Rat]

67-early 69 rear housings are a bit more narrow than the 70-72 housings.

(usually 6 luggers) 30 1/2, 30 spline If you measure from the end of the splines to the mounting surface of the axle where the wheel / brake drum would make contact. 31 5/16 on this same measurement for 70+ wider housings (most are 5 lug, but some can be 6 lug)



.. just my .02

30 1/2" 5 lug axles are aftermarket or re-drilled. I have personally never seen a 5 lug original GM housing from 67-69 year build. I'm pretty sure they don't exist but I guess I could be wrong.

Your 68 rear end housing is more desirable than a later 70+ housing because you can run wider wheels with it. .. Or, should I say less backspacing.