Dropping a 454 in 1961 k10

[Lambologo]

I have a 1961 k10 truck with a 235 v6 in it and a 1985 K20 burban with a 454 BB in it. Any one have any advise on how to go about dropping the 454 into the '61? Where to get engine mounts and front cross member? The '61 came with an extra cross member that the previous owner said he was going to use to do a v8 swap but I believe he was going to use a small block. I assume that probably won't work? I'm new to this so any advise is much appreciated

[Captainfab]

There is no difference in a K series engine crossmember for a small block or a big block. I don't know what the crossmember is that the PO gave you, but yopu could also use the engine crossmember from the '85 K20 Suburban. You will just have to drill the holes for it, once you position the engine far enough forward to clear the firewall. I would also use the trans and transfer case from the '85 Burb as well as the steering box and master cylinder. I make adapter plates for both the steering box and power brake booster.

[Lambologo]

Unfortunately the chassis of the '85 K20 is 1.5 inches narrower than the '61 k10. I think that says something about old trucks. Anyways are the engine mounts different between years? or are all Chevy v8s the same? And yes I am going to use the transmission and transfer case. Any advise on how to make them work?

[Captainfab]

I have installed a '67-'72 K series engine crossmember into a '62 K10 frame. I don't know where you measured, but there is not 1.5" difference in width in the area where the engine mount crossmember bolts in. The V8 engine mounts are basically the same from '63-'72 in the trucks except for the factory big block mounts from '68-'71. The '72 big block mounts are a 1 year only. Then there are the '73-'87 mounts. I would use everything from the '85 Burb. You may have to space the transfer case crossmember up some as the '61 K10 frame likely drops down a little more than the '85 Burb frame does.

[argonaut]

A 61 c10 frame might be wider, but not the k10.

To the OP, check out my Big Ugly thread linked below. I put a 402 big block into my my 66 k10 (basically the same frame) using an engine crossmember from a 71-72 k5/10/20 and transmission crossmember from a 73 K20. I had to cut the stock transmission bellhousing crossmember out. I had to shift the whole assembly forward an inch or so from the factory mount location.

I know another member with a 63 k20 who was able to mount his big block on the factory v8 engine mount brackets and clear the firewall. My conclusion is that these brackets put the block in a lower position, thus clearing the firewall without moving the engine forward.