1963 project truck

[Sadlerracing529]

Hey everyone. Just wanted to introduce my project. I have a 1963 c10 long bed fleetside with a 230 i6 and sm420 4 speed. Truck has been in my family for almost 30 years and has been my grandpa's daily driver up until a year ago.
As far as project goes it will be done in stages.
First stage is going through, making sure everything is up to par to be safe to drive, and a basic small block and different manual trans...t5 maybe? Not sure the best route to go there. Just keeping it pretty simple for now as I'm expecting my first kid this fall, and don't have a place to do the full restoration right now.

Future plans include full restoration, updated suspension front and rear with full disk brakes, and big block. Truck will be lowered on coil overs...not slammed. And I will be making it a short box.
And yes the truck has an 80's bed on it at the moment...my grandpa put it on

[vin63]

Welcome! Looks like a great project with a lot of sentimental value. This forum is a great place to help with your build up. I'm a little partial to '63s.

[Sadlerracing529]

Thank you. I remember playing in this truck when I was a little kid, I Nick named it the beast when I was about 6 years old haha. And yes I find myself partial to the 63's as well

[64stpside]

Originally Posted by Sadlerracing529

First stage is going through, making sure everything is up to par to be safe to drive, and a basic small block and different manual trans...t5 maybe? Not sure the best route to go there.

I just did a T5 swap on my 64 c10. What a difference, the only thing is 1st gear is a little short (I gotta shift 1/2 way through the intersection if making a turn at a stop light). It has a 1978 305 and had the the 3 speed sag behind it. The swap was much easier than I thought it would be. Try to find a world class T5 as they are a bit stronger. Got mine from a 92 s10. I did the jeep input shaft swap and did lugnutz custom shifter. I had the early bell housing Here's a few links to save for when you do it. lugnutz site is really good. Read everything.....lol.
https://lugnutz65chevystepside.weebl...ter-plate.html
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/1201c...tall-underside

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

Sounds like you have a good plan. An OD trans is a good choice for these trucks.

[Sadlerracing529]

Thanks. I'm kind of undecided on the trans right now. I'm thinking either t5 or a Muncie m20 or m21 if I can get my hands on one. Just worried about the strength of the t5. My small block will probably end up at about the 300 ft. Tq. mark, nothing crazy, but I'm pretty sure the t5's are rated for less than that

[Sadlerracing529]

I have the sm 420 trans behind the 230 i6, Would trans, bellhousing, starter, and flywheel bolt right up to my chevy 350? If so I might throw my stock 350 in this weekend

[64stpside]

Originally Posted by Sadlerracing529

Just worried about the strength of the t5. My small block will probably end up at about the 300 ft. Tq. mark, nothing crazy, but I'm pretty sure the t5's are rated for less than that

Here's a T5 list, if you get a world class s10 t5, you get a 300ft lb tq rating. You got to find a 92 or 93 to get the s10 world class. Mine is from a 1992
http://www.britishv8.org/articles/bo...t5-id-tags.htm

[Sadlerracing529]

Thanks 64stpside, good info in there. I probably will end up going t5 in the future. For right now it seems like everything in the truck should bolt to a 350 so I'm thinking of dropping my stock 350 in this weekend. Then do the t5 when I finish my mild 350

[Clyde65]

Welcome!!

[Captainfab]

Yes, everything will bolt up to your 350, The same motor mounts and motor mount location. You will want to change the radiator to the V8/HD cooling radiator that sits on top of the frame and right up against the radiator support. If your 350 is a '86 and newer, you will need a different flywheel.

Originally Posted by Sadlerracing529

I have the sm 420 trans behind the 230 i6, Would trans, bellhousing, starter, and flywheel bolt right up to my chevy 350? If so I might throw my stock 350 in this weekend