67 Engine Swap i6/283 help

[Furno68C20]

Need some advise on this engine swap.

Truck is a 67 C20. Originally truck had a V8 but at some point a I-6 was swapped.

Current set up is SM465 behind a I-6. (The engine needs to be rebuild but does turn over.)

I have a entire 283 / SM465 set up that i want to swap in. (the 283 is ready to be fired up so no extra work there.)

Using a harbor freight 2 ton cherry picker, and a rotary lift, is it possible to remove the entire engine/trans with only removing the hood and taking off the tires and lowering the truck? Front clip need to be taken out?

has anyone done a fully assembled SBC/SM465 swap?

I would like to use the current trans that is in the truck but i feel it would be more work to just swap the engines.

any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks


Here are a few pics.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Well, there are 2 ways.
You could pull only the hood and maybe radiator, and change out the engine disconnected from the tranny -- re-attaching the fresh engine to the old trans on the frame. Or then fishing out [or dropping under frame] the old trans. But making connections on-frame.

Or you could pull the whole doghouse -- hood, radiator wall, radiator lights, wires and grille, [plus anything else] -- and swing in the connnected engine/transmission. I've even pulled one fender and skirt, too.

Neither way is much easier than the other.
Is the ''new'' SM465 better than the old one?
Is the old L6 a 250?

[Furno68C20]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Well, there are 2 ways.
You could pull only the hood and maybe radiator, and change out the engine disconnected from the tranny -- re-attaching the fresh engine to the old trans on the frame. Or then fishing out [or dropping under frame] the old trans. But making connections on-frame.

Or you could pull the whole doghouse -- hood, radiator wall, radiator lights, wires and grille, [plus anything else] -- and swing in the connnected engine/transmission. I've even pulled one fender and skirt, too.

Neither way is much easier than the other.
Is the ''new'' SM465 better than the old one?
Is the old L6 a 250?

The “new sm465” is in better shape at least from the outside and oil condition.
The i6 is a 250.
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['68OrangeSunshine]

So better to change out the tranny too. Does your cab have a removeable transmission hump? If not, then it's a lot harder to do them seperately.
How many guys are helping you?

[Accelo]

When everything is rusted out and junked the Old 4speed with granny transmission will still be good. Run either one, not likely have any issues.
I don't know how you would get the transmission out or in with the integral shifter installed. IMHO - Much easier, and safer to just install the motor only.
It's a pain either way. And that's a lot of weight on a China lift.

['68OrangeSunshine]

The shift lever has to come off, obviously.
The brass synchros wear out on the SM465, making shifts 2-3-4 harder. Whenever overhauling a 465 they should be replaced.
Granted, it's one of the most durable Xmsns in the world.

[Furno68C20]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

So better to change out the tranny too. Does your cab have a removeable transmission hump? If not, then it's a lot harder to do them seperately.
How many guys are helping you?

The hump is loose from the PO so that helps. I plan on doing most of the work myself but I can call up a buddy to help align.

I agree that is a lot of weight in China steel. Especially at that height to clear the grill.
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[Grumpy old man]

What are your plans for the bell housing cross member mounts ? the I6 cross member mount sits 3 inches back then the V8 cross member does, Even if you use it and mount the engine in the back holes that would place the trans stick shift 3 inches back and the distributor up close to the fire wall . What ever way you decide to go you still have to deal with clutch linkage / drive shaft / etc/etc Lots more work / parts involved than just pulling the 6 and dumping in the V8 ... I would be checking to see what bell housing mount is in the truck now , That's going to determine where everything else lines up .

[Furno68C20]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

What are your plans for the bell housing cross member mounts ? the I6 cross member mount sits 3 inches back then the V8 cross member does, Even if you use it and mount the engine in the back holes that would place the trans stick shift 3 inches back and the distributor up close to the fire wall . What ever way you decide to go you still have to deal with clutch linkage / drive shaft / etc/etc Lots more work / parts involved than just pulling the 6 and dumping in the V8 ... I would be checking to see what bell housing mount is in the truck now , That's going to determine where everything else lines up .

I’ll check the bell housing and snap some picture of the mounts. I didn’t think about the clutch set up.

The truck originally had a v8 in it. It’s got the oil pressure going into the firewall and a larger radiator.
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[Grumpy old man]

Here are pics of the V8 cross member on the left and 6 on the right . The V8 fits further forward in the frame to locate the V8 engine . I changed mine from the 6 to V8 cross member to put the V8 in the stock position and use the stock bell housing and stock V8 clutch linkage and engine mounts Does your V8 have a pivot ball already mounted for the clutch linkage ? .

[weim55]

Are you sure the transmission in the truck is a 465 4 speed? The OEM 4 speed for a '67 would be a 420 4 speed. (reverse far left and down toward the seat)
Might have some driveshaft issues if the transmissions are different.

Steve weim55 Colorado

[Furno68C20]

Originally Posted by weim55

Are you sure the transmission in the truck is a 465 4 speed? The OEM 4 speed for a '67 would be a 420 4 speed. (reverse far left and down toward the seat)
Might have some driveshaft issues if the transmissions are different.

Steve weim55 Colorado

You are correct I have a Sm420. Casting number 3837334.

This changes things ...
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[Furno68C20]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Here are pics of the V8 cross member on the left and 6 on the right . The V8 fits further forward in the frame to locate the V8 engine . I changed mine from the 6 to V8 cross member to put the V8 in the stock position and use the stock bell housing and stock V8 clutch linkage and engine mounts Does your V8 have a pivot ball already mounted for the clutch linkage ? .

Here are a few pics of the cross member. Looks like a v8 you pictured.
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[Grumpy old man]

The 2 nd pic down the cross member still has a rivet to the frame , The easy way to tell witch x member it is , Does your vin start with a CE....... or CS........ I noticed a few other trucks in the background of those pictures ? I'm thinking it was originally a 6 truck .

[Furno68C20]

CE. V8. Yes sir got two other 67’s one just a farm truck plan on keeping it that way. The other is a original swb going to fresh that up do driver quality.

I was unable to locate a number on the bell housing. Tons of road grime. Where would it be located.
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