396 BB swap from an Impala - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69Tom · 08-27-2015, 06:45 PM

I have a '68 396 and TH400 from an Impala that I am considering putting in my '70 C/10 which currently has a 307 and a 4-speed.

I'm guessing someone out there has done such a swap. Aside from BB motor mounts, transmission crossmember, what else am I going to need? Is the power steering pump going to need to be switched? Pulleys? Any issues with the column shift from a truck with regards to the transmission?

Also, I'm sure the drive shaft will need to be shortened. What's your take, stick with a 2 piece, or no?

Thanks for the help.

summitflier · 08-27-2015, 06:54 PM

When I was running a TH400, I had a one piece.
But mine had the 17 inch tail shaft on it. I believe there are 3 different tail shaft
lengths. Also mine is a short bed, I've heard the long beds are more difficult.
Also, I would ask.. stock height or lowered?

69Tom · 08-27-2015, 06:57 PM

Mine is a short bed step, and is currently stock height. I was hoping to do a 2/4 or 3/5 drop on it at some point.

ixei · 08-28-2015, 01:01 AM

If you need any pictures, the '67 GMC C25 I recently picked up has a '69 Chevelle 396 in it.

I'd be happy to snap a photo of anything for clarification during your install.

69Tom · 08-28-2015, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixei

If you need any pictures, the '67 GMC C25 I recently picked up has a '69 Chevelle 396 in it.

I'd be happy to snap a photo of anything for clarification during your install.

Thanks, I'd appreciate it. Do you know if it kept the original pulleys and whatnot? I can't see it making any problems considering how big that engine compartment is.

ixei · 08-28-2015, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69Tom

Thanks, I'd appreciate it. Do you know if it kept the original pulleys and whatnot? I can't see it making any problems considering how big that engine compartment is.

I'll grab some photos of the bay after work here.

ixei · 08-28-2015, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixei

I'll grab some photos of the bay after work here.

Album of a few angles of the engine bay.

Can't wait to replace and clean everything under there...

http://imgur.com/a/QfShn

**Ironangel** · 08-28-2015, 10:07 PM

I just dropped a 69 396 out of an El Camino into my 72 LWB. I used small block motor mounts on pre-72 big block stands, works like a charm. I have a built 350 Turbo bolted to the back of mine and to my surprise, the cross member and drive shaft(s) bolted right back in the same holes they occupied with the 350/350T factory set up. This motor came with a long water pump set up so nothing off the front of the motor interchanged. Let me know if you need links to power steering brackets and alternator brackets that actually work. ~Ghostrider~

08-27-2015, 06:45 PM	#1
69Tom Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,335	396 BB swap from an Impala I have a '68 396 and TH400 from an Impala that I am considering putting in my '70 C/10 which currently has a 307 and a 4-speed. I'm guessing someone out there has done such a swap. Aside from BB motor mounts, transmission crossmember, what else am I going to need? Is the power steering pump going to need to be switched? Pulleys? Any issues with the column shift from a truck with regards to the transmission? Also, I'm sure the drive shaft will need to be shortened. What's your take, stick with a 2 piece, or no? Thanks for the help.

08-27-2015, 06:54 PM	#2
summitflier Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Ephrata, WA Posts: 308	Re: 396 BB swap from an Impala When I was running a TH400, I had a one piece. But mine had the 17 inch tail shaft on it. I believe there are 3 different tail shaft lengths. Also mine is a short bed, I've heard the long beds are more difficult. Also, I would ask.. stock height or lowered? __________________ 68 C10 SSB 383 12 Charger 6.4L 12 Accord 3.5L (Wife's ride) 05 Ram 1500 5.7L My build thread - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=676545

08-27-2015, 06:57 PM	#3
69Tom Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,335	Re: 396 BB swap from an Impala Mine is a short bed step, and is currently stock height. I was hoping to do a 2/4 or 3/5 drop on it at some point.

08-28-2015, 01:01 AM	#4
ixei Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Bellevue WA Posts: 23	Re: 396 BB swap from an Impala If you need any pictures, the '67 GMC C25 I recently picked up has a '69 Chevelle 396 in it. I'd be happy to snap a photo of anything for clarification during your install.

08-28-2015, 10:07 PM	#8
Ironangel Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Falls City, Nebraska "100 Miles From Nowhere" Posts: 2,219	Re: 396 BB swap from an Impala I just dropped a 69 396 out of an El Camino into my 72 LWB. I used small block motor mounts on pre-72 big block stands, works like a charm. I have a built 350 Turbo bolted to the back of mine and to my surprise, the cross member and drive shaft(s) bolted right back in the same holes they occupied with the 350/350T factory set up. This motor came with a long water pump set up so nothing off the front of the motor interchanged. Let me know if you need links to power steering brackets and alternator brackets that actually work. ~Ghostrider~ __________________ Michael of the clan Hill, "Two Seventy Two's" 71 1-ton Dually 350 4-Speed 71 C/50 Grain Truck, 350 Split-Axle 4-Speed 02 3/4 ton Express 14 Indian Chief Vintage 1952 Ford 8N, "Only Ford Allowed On The Property" "Be American, Buy American"



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