first step of the cross member swap

[64shortbox]

I had the same dilemma as you about removing the motor or not. I ended up removing the motor & trans because I had some trans leaks I needed to repair - rear seal, shift shaft seal & O ring for the governor cover. I also wanted to replace the rear main seal on the motor and clean up & paint the engine bay.

I really don't see why you couldn't hang the motor from an engine hoist while sliding in the cross member from your donor truck. That's what I was planning if I didn't remove my motor & trans.

Another thought - what I did anyway - As I'm sure you know a few of the bolt holes don't exactly line up on your donor cross member to the frame of your 63. If I remember correctly the cross member mounting bolts are 7/16" - 20. Please double check as I did my swap many years ago. I mounted my cross member with the bolt holes that did line up perfectly then IF and I mean IF it takes a 7/16 - 20 bolt thread size I bought a 25/64" drill bit - ran the drill bit through the existing threaded nuts on the donor member through the frame on my 64 C-10 frame. I then ran a 7/16 - 20 tap through the nuts from the donor member and frame of my 64. I easily ran the bolts through my frame into the donor member. Again please double check my info on the bolt & thread pitch on the cross member mounts. I hope this makes since to you.

[Chevy Fleetside]

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=357610 If you want to see an easy way to support the engine, look through this thread. This will also show you what you have to do to use the later model cross member. This is a C 20 but they are the same concept.

[Chevy Fleetside]

After I posted the link, I noticed you have seen the thread and even posted a comment.

[J Williams]

Originally Posted by botoepfer

chevy Fleetside, Thanks for the information, at this point I think I am going to use the 83 cross member and hang the steering parts on the frame,, I have two other inline 6's to get on a run stand and see what condition they are in the 230 in it runs well,, your trucks look awesome !

here is the 78’ bolted into the 63 with only a couple drilled holes.
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[botoepfer]

Man Time flys, and I am losing !, I had two dedicated pals helping last Sat. in the rain, we elected to not remove the front clip, pulled the motor and cleaned up a few things, We will be back on it this Sat. 10/31/20, bolts have been soaking in a 50% ATF/ acetone solution, hope all goes as planned! As for the motor (230) I will be hanging the new manifolds, carbs and EFI distributor on this motor, until I can look over the 292 and 250 to see what will be the best donor , Stay tuned

[lilpoindexter]

HMMM...I put an '86 suburban front end under my '63. I kept the steering column, but I didnt want to use it...but if I ever start working on my truck again, I'm gonna mock up the steering column and see what its looking like.

[botoepfer]

Well the wrench party was two old guys. We got it done.. A few things left to do. Does anyone know the bolt size for the four bolts that go in from the inside of the frame channel into capture nuts?

[botoepfer]

Originally Posted by 64shortbox

botoepfer,
Did you save all the hard brake lines off your donor? If so you can use ALL of them on your C-10. I did have to make a bracket to mount the proportioning valve to the frame in the 73 location. My donor truck was a 73. You will also need the little tool to hold the proportioning valve cntered when you bleed your brakes.

Yes I did save all the hard lines , I do have a question you may be able to help me with, how did you locate the Idler side of the steering linkage, I used an 83 donor and as you know they are not the same part,, Thanks Bo

[botoepfer]

Now that the new donor cross member is in place I am looking to mount the Idler side of the steering linkage, Does anyone have some tips. My plan was / is to measure from a known area on the drivers side and transfer that to a known spot on the passenger side hold the distance with a few removable tack welds and drill the chassis,, ! am I on the right track?

[bigmoe]

Here's some pics I took when I did mine. I lined it up level and parallel.

[botoepfer]

Thanks Bigmoe,, looks real good,, I was hoping not to do anything that would hamper the alignment

[botoepfer]

does anyone have a use for the 1963 crossmember I took out?

[botoepfer]

well the changes have been working behind the scene, the wife won out and we have a built 383 going in the 63, I have a bunch of inlines and parts to get rid of! Sorry for the flip. Its correct in my lap top?

[bigmoe]

You'll get that thing on the road yet. And it'll fly!

[botoepfer]

I have to pull the 12 bolt rear from storage and see what I have to work with