454 in a 64 fleetside

[64c10chevy]

I just recently bought a 64 C10 and I'm planning on replacing the old 283 with a 454 and a th400 that I have. If you guys can guide me with some feedback on how to do this swap I will be very thankful.

[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum. We have a bunch of big block guys on here that can help with your questions. Good luck on your project.

[gofastnut]

[billd5string]

Welcome to the forum!

I just got done putting a 454 into my 65 a couple weeks ago. I used the stock motor mounts for the V8, so my motor is in the stock location. The biggest problem with that is the firewall will hit the valve covers. As my truck is a daily driver, I just massaged it a bit with a hammer, which worked out fine.


Is the truck an automatic already? That will make it much easier, otherwise you have to remove the old bellhousing crossmember.


The two places where the motor was too tight are highlighted in this pic. If you are going to move the motor forward a few inches, you shouldn't have any problems at all.

[1963c-10]

billd5string...did you have to trim the frame rails for header clearance?

[contagious102]

Look at the thread below "notched firewall" to see what some have done to clear the valve covers.

[billd5string]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

billd5string...did you have to trim the frame rails for header clearance?

Not at all - I suspect I just got lucky. I used some headers from Summit for a 75 C20 because that's what my motor and front suspension came off of, but I ended up using the 65 motor mount anyway. I did have to significantly modify the drivers side motor mount for header clearance, but not the frame at all.

[argonaut]

When I put a 402 in the 64 2wd I used big block mount brackets from a 71-72. These moved the powertrain about 3" forward. I did trim about a 1/2" strip from the upper frame flange to mount the brackets and clear the stock manifolds. Plenty of room at the firewall but did put weight further forward over the front wheels.

[64c10chevy]

Thank you for your input. How about the steering column. Do I need to make any modifications to fit the heathers?

[chevyrestoguy]

Big blocks look so cool under the hood of a 60-66. I was so close to doing it, but I went small block because my 454 out of the donor was too worn out and it needed to be gone through. The small block was fresh and ready to go.

[gofastnut]

Chevyrestoguy,
No one can blame you for that. I like to tell people "I've got a big block! Yeah, it's in the back!" There's a bare block, crank, heads, 3 big coffee cans of bolts, etc back there!
Small block swaps are not bad, it's a little, only a little more challenging stuffing a rat motor in there.
I'm not too keen on moving the engine forward 3", I guess I'll have to notch the firewall...

[60-66]

I used the 68-72 BB Frame mounts on this one, didn't notch the firewall at all, if the mounts were forward it wasn't more than a half inch.

[billd5string]

Originally Posted by 64c10chevy

Thank you for your input. How about the steering column. Do I need to make any modifications to fit the heathers?

No modification needed. The steering column is on the other side of the frame, so unless you are planning on running fenderwell headers, there won't be any problem there.