motor question

[mcguire22]

Alright, first off, I am a newbe when it comes to classic muscle. I am a mechanic but I work on european cars for a living. So, my question is this, I have a 1964 c10 with the stock 230 and three-on-tree. I want to put in a v8 and want to do it as cheap as possible. I was looking at 283's and 327's but they tend to be more than the good old 350. What would I be looiking at other than the engine to do the swap? custom drive shaft? cross members? motor mounts? I havent decided on the trans yet so some imput would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your guys help. PS. if this has been covered before just post a link so I can read

[Aaron Burr]

Wow! I'm a bike guy so I'm worse off than you are. But I know this much. Yes to everything. Motor mounts, at least cut the drive shaft if you're going with a 700R4, cross mounts, cuttin' some space out for the fat tranny...I went with some washers to make it all fit right(ish). Oh, and I have a 283.

I'll crawl under there and take some pics. I have a C20, so if I had to fudge some stuff, I'm sure the C10 will be even more fun.

Oh, and ask LILRED66. That guy has forgotten more than I'll ever learn about these things.

[LILRED66]

mcquire22, welcome to the forums from Kansas City, KS. Upon determining the engine/tranny combination you are going with, I can shed some light on what you need, to make the swap rather painless. The factory engine-to-frame perches and the motor mounts (rubber mounts) can be used on an early sbc, minus the extensions that sit atop the rubber mounts, that make up the difference in the width of the six vs. the V8. The tranny cross member is not difficult, since a factory auto cross member or an aftermarket auto tranny cross member is readily available. I suggest a new drive shaft when doing this conversion, since refitting a 40+ year old drive shaft is nearly as pricey as having a new one made with the correct slip yoke, fitted to your tranny of choice, must be done anyway.

In closing, you are mechanically inclined and these trucks are far less complicated than any of the European sports cars you are accustomed to wrenching on, so no worries...plus you are in good hands on this site.

PS - Aaron, thanks for the compliment.

[Aaron Burr]

Dang. I sure as heck wish I had met you BEFORE I bought my rig. Apparently, I did everything the hard way. Imagine...a new drive shaft would have cost the same...and a cross mount made for these things. Who knew?

Oh, right.

[TheDark1]

Tony is "The Man". Not only does he know the answer to what you need, he can send you a photo of it with a price to replace it!!

[mcguire22]

thanks a lot guys. I appreciate the input. Not only do I like these trucks a lot more than the euro stuff, the people on the forums are much nicer and helpful. I will be going to the lowes autofair in april so maybe Ill bump into one of you guys and you can help me out with my purchase. thanks

[DPowers]

Welcome to the site- not too far from you.

[MacAttack]

WELCOME to the best truck site - ever.

You won't be led in the wrong direction by anybody here and the money/labor saving tips you'll get from the group is nothing short of fantastic. Spend a great amount of time looking at previous threads and posts, ask many questions, and take many, many photos - as they will help the other members relate to what you're trying to accomplish.

While it may at times seem overwhelming - this stuff isn't rocket science.

(unless you're referring to my truck's radiator hose clamps)

Mac.