Advice for TH350 Transmission Swap on 62' C10

[dhamilton62]

Anyone have any tips or advice on swapping in a TH350 trans into a 1962 C10 long bed? The truck already has a 350 SBC in it from the previous owner, using the front horseshoe style motor mount and bellhousing mount from the 4-speed. Would I need to change to the later style side mounts since I'm swapping the trans and removing the old trans cross member and making a new one? ( Has the x-frame so I think making a new one is probably easier) I'm just worried about getting everything lined up right and also if the motor will have enough mounting points and support. Also, I don't have a lift to drop the old 4 speed trans out, so I was going to just pull the motor and trans together, pop on the new TH350 trans and re-install both. I've been reading as much as I can on the topic but any advice or tips would be great! Anyone have any links or good threads they'd read about this swap? Thanks in advance to everyone.

[MikeN]

You have to have at least three mounts total, and the TH350 will only have one mount at the tail, so yes, you'll want to ditch the horseshoe mount at the front and go to side engine mounts. That should be very easy.

[Captainfab]

Yes you will have to convert to side mount engine mounts. From a quick test fit, the '67-'72 small block rnginr mount brackets seem to fit rather well. Some say a ~1/4" spacer is needed on top of the frame. If this were my truck, I would modify a set of '73-'87 engine mount brackets to fit the early frame. Those engine mounts are a much better design. The original bellhousing crossmember will need to be left out and a trans crossmember fabricated.

[AcampoDave]

You can pull the old 4 speed with a motor hoist by coming thru the passenger side door. Simply pull the shifter, remove the hump, and bolt a short chain to the tranny top cover using the existing bolts. Makes it a one man operation.

[LostMy65]

Have you made any progress?
Got any pics of the install?
Did you run into any issues?

[ls60apache]

hello! suggest you use a shor ttail shaft th350, it will be easier to remove if you ever have to service it. you can use the longer tail shaft models but it will stick past the t/bar crossmember you will have to do some twisting and tuning to get it out. that's if you have engine in stock location good luck.

[lbspd]

Not a T350 but put a 2004R in my wifes 62.

• Had to remove crossmember. Wasn't sure how much this would weaken the frame so just in case the ends were left on with thoughts of adding support if necessary.
  
  
• With the cross member and old trany gone there is no side support for the motor, which would make stepping on the gas interesting... so side motor mounts are a necessity. Used 67 to 72 perches with a 1/2” spacers. Positioned the perches with the horseshoe mount and old transmission in place, note; It's actually possible to replace the motor mounts, and transmission for that matter, with the motor in, easier with it out but still possible.
  
  
• Rear support for the 2004R, quick and easy...but... back to that cut out cross-member my gut feeling when looking at it is that any added HP and/or tendency to stomp on the gas would require more support.
  
  
• Drive shaft modified to fit.
  
• Transmission oil cooler of course.

Other items I need for the 200-4R:

• New Starter
• New Carburetor for TV Cable linkage, and Intake manifold for the new carburetor.
  
• Torque converter lock-up wiring and vacuum switch (i.e. 81-82 THM350c) for non computer controlled 2004R and 700R4's.
• Cut hump/Linkage.
  
• Indicator and sending unit. Wanted the Gennie Shifter floor mount indicator/boot because I liked the look and was disappoint to find out that it's no longer available, didn't like the Locar so went with Dakota Digital.

I think that was about it for the trany swap. The truck is still a work in progress, not a frame up just something for my wife to drive around town; clean body with paint, clean interior, power breaks, auto transmission, power steering, 283 rebuilt for reliability, repositioned short person gas pedal etc. probably should have used a 700R4, my thought was that the 2004R might have a less noticeable shift.

[LostMy65]

Thanks,
That helps a lot.
Fortunately I already installed the same motor perches when I installed a V-8.
My goal right now is to just get an Auto installed for as little cost as possible.
I don't do a lot of highway driving, so the OD wasn't my need.
Lots of Hills and Stop and Go. - Tired of the constant shift up and down of a Manual.

[dephep]

I'm doing the same thing with my 62 but putting in a 5 speed manual, I see the one crossbar has to go but im worried about the crossbar the torsion bars hook to, any thoughts?

[lbspd]

Shouldn't be a problem, hard to tell in the above photo but that rear mount for the 2004R bolted to it dead center.

['65 chevy lover]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Yes you will have to convert to side mount engine mounts. From a quick test fit, the '67-'72 small block rnginr mount brackets seem to fit rather well. Some say a ~1/4" spacer is needed on top of the frame. If this were my truck, I would modify a set of '73-'87 engine mount brackets to fit the early frame. Those engine mounts are a much better design. The original bellhousing crossmember will need to be left out and a trans crossmember fabricated.

What exactly do you have to do as far as modifying the mounts? Also, this is the first I've heard discussed as far as needing side mounts for a TH350 Trans. I'm confused and nervous at the same time and, wondering if I'm gona be able to pull this off...LOL I remember in a previous thread that I posted about engine mounts you saying that '73 - '87 mounts were in your opinion the best ones to use. I havn't bought any yet in fact, I just got the old motor( 283 with 2 speed powerglide ) out yesterday.

[lbspd]

Trucks that came with the manual granny-lo transmission have a single front horseshoe shaped motor mount with side support provided by the transmission mounts, but with the powerglide you already have side support provided by the motor mounts.

Since your mounts are nearly impossible to find those of us starting with a manual transmission and the horseshoe motor mount need to come up with alternatives.

Link with photos

[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum. Perhaps the following thread will help. I shows installing a 350/350 in a 1960 GMC:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=sbc+1960

[Captainfab]

Since you already had a 283/PG in your truck, you will already have the side engine mounts. You're good to go.

Originally Posted by '65 chevy lover

What exactly do you have to do as far as modifying the mounts? Also, this is the first I've heard discussed as far as needing side mounts for a TH350 Trans. I'm confused and nervous at the same time and, wondering if I'm gona be able to pull this off...LOL I remember in a previous thread that I posted about engine mounts you saying that '73 - '87 mounts were in your opinion the best ones to use. I havn't bought any yet in fact, I just got the old motor( 283 with 2 speed powerglide ) out yesterday.

['65 chevy lover]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Since you already had a 283/PG in your truck, you will already have the side engine mounts. You're good to go.

I guess I was thinking you meant side mounts for the trans. So, everything mouts at three places, the two side mounts for the motor and, one at the back of the trans?

[MikeN]

Originally Posted by '65 chevy lover

So, everything mouts at three places, the two side mounts for the motor and, one at the back of the trans?

Yes

[LostMy65]

I had never seen the 'Horseshoe' engine mount thingy.
My 62 donor didn't have one. Mine was a V6 so it had two lower side mounts fabbed as part of the frame.
Here is a pic I found of the Horseshoe engine mount.

['65 chevy lover]

Originally Posted by MikeN

Yes

Thanks Mike, I thought that was correct but, with all the discussion with side mounts, I wanted to be sure.

[robber grin]

My 62 had the front mount at first but I went up to the later side mounts and fabbed something up for the tail shaft using the old bell cross member and some plate I found in the garage.

I think years ago on my last build I made the old torsion bar cross member work too (after flipping the front clip up to coils).

rg

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by lbspd

Shouldn't be a problem, hard to tell in the above photo but that rear mount for the 2004R bolted to it dead center.

.
Are you saying you just mounted your auto tranny to the torsion bar crossmember?

[lbspd]

Yes, motor in front crossmember in back, which is why the motor needed the side mounts.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by lbspd

Yes, motor in front crossmember in back, which is why the motor needed the side mounts.

I understand the front mounting.
My question was pertaining to the auto mount.
I ask because most have to install an auto crossmember. But it appears you didn't. Because you just used the torsionbar crossmember.
I guess I'll have to see where my tranny tail lands.

[Joe Pass]

Simple to make in place...I used some steel bar and some angles for mine

[lbspd]

Wow, looks nice under there!

Yea a TH350 is approx. 20 3/8 inches from front to rear mounting bolts, 6 5/8 inches shorter than the 2004R.

This link might help.
http://www.tciauto.com/tc/trans-dim

[Joe Pass]

That's a good link...I have 700r4 also and kept my options open with the additional length. The 200r will pose some serious interference with the torsion crossmember.