Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??

[mjh1965]

Right...... Now that I have your attention.

In the UK we do not have the easy access to V8 donors that you guys have in the USA so we have to try make do with whatever we can get out hands on.

I bought a low mileage V8 from a Chevy Caprice a few months ago with the plan and intention of fitting it to my truck, replacing the tired straight six that it was fitted with.

Along the way with the dismantling of the truck, I have found loads of cock-ups from previous owners, damage and welded on bumpers to compensate for chassis horn damage.

I have been trying to get the 307 engine and box trial fitted for a few days, and every way I go the Hedman headers I have or gearbox hits.

HAS ANYONE SUCCESSFULLY FITTED A 307 engine with TH350 auto box into a '65 Long Fleetside before?

If so, is there a build thread, or does anyone have some advice for me please?



That is the engine in place. But the headers will hit the suspension.

[Shaky]

This is super-easy. You just need the right frame-to-engine brackets for a small block, a cross-member to support the back of the trans, and the right length drive shaft.

I've seen a small-block placed on the straight six brackets, but it puts the engine very close to the firewall, especially if you have HEI. It might be worth it to have someone from the States ship you the right brackets. The rest can probably be accomplished over there.

Cheers!

[Greg63]

Can you post more pictures of the engine? From what you have posted it appears your 307 is somewhat different than a sbc.
Greg.

[ssxty8]

Originally Posted by Greg63

Can you post more pictures of the engine? From what you have posted it appears your 307 is somewhat different than a sbc.
Greg.

?? Ditto on the above. ??

[rustyescott]

first off that is not a small block chevy engine , its a oldsmobile 307. so you will have todo what ever it takes to fit a exhaust system

[Shaky]

Originally Posted by rustyescott

first off that is not a small block chevy engine , its a oldsmobile 307. so you will have todo what ever it takes to fit a exhaust system

My bad for not looking more closely. This is a lot more custom...

Also - how do you do any work in that "hallway"?

[mjh1965]

Originally Posted by Greg63

Can you post more pictures of the engine? From what you have posted it appears your 307 is somewhat different than a sbc.
Greg.

Here's the pictures of the engine in place had to cut one pipe on both headers but at least it's in the right place . Just got to fab up some engine mounts

[mjh1965]

[QUOTE=Shaky;6785408]My bad for not looking more closely. This is a lot more custom...

Also - how do you do any work in that "hallway"?[/QUOTE
.......... You have no idea what we have as space to work in I am lucky I have a garage plus the carport and off street parking for four cars out front .
Most houses in England if they have one off street parking space that's a great selling point . Space is at a premium

Most rodders would kill for the space I have




Go look in my build thread to get a better idea of the space I have to work in.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=611614

[chevy_mike]

That's not a Small Block Chevy. That looks more like a Pontiac engine.

[mjh1965]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

That's not a Small Block Chevy. That looks more like a Pontiac engine.

It came out of a Chevy Caprice it's a 307 and I believe they used the olds engine in the caprice wagon . Here are the details of the car the engine came from


The TH350 box is a BOP stud pattern . I am sure someone on here will be able to tell me

[MalibuSSwagon]

Yes thats a Oldsmobile 307, all the 86-90 Caprice wagons were built with that engine only. 140hp, very gutless.

[mjh1965]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

Yes thats a Oldsmobile 307, all the 86-90 Caprice wagons were built with that engine only. 140hp, very gutless.

Thanks for confirming it's an olds 307 but as it's a low mileage v8 it was to good an option over here not to get . It came with a dominator inlet manifold four barrel Rochester carb Moroso rocker covers all ancillaries and headman headers .
But the best part was being able to here it running before removing it from the truck they had put it in

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by Shaky

This is super-easy. You just need the right frame-to-engine brackets for a small block...

I've seen a small-block placed on the straight six brackets, but it puts the engine very close to the firewall, especially if you have HEI. It might be worth it to have someone from the States ship you the right brackets. The rest can probably be accomplished over there.

The frame brackets are the same for the 63-66 trucks; the only ones that are different are the right/passenger side mounts for the 292. Anything forward from that position is homemade/modified, and you'll have to mess with everything else hooked up to it if you do move it forward.

[ImpalaJim]

Here is a small block Chevy 307 its a 68 I do believe.

[chevy_mike]

Basically fitting an Olds engine is going to require you to custom build the mounts. You could have issues with the oil pan not allowing you to lower the engine low enough to allow your trans to clear the cab floor. If that is the case, you are going to have to cut and weld the floor to fit.

If you were using a SBC, you could buy everything to allow it to bolt in without mods but you're going to have to do a full custom fab job to make this work.

On a side note, I never knew that GM used Olds blocks in Chevy vehicles. Learn something new.

[mjh1965]

Thanks for all the info . I managed to install the engine nice and low . No need to cut the cab bulkhead or floor . Did have to cut the headers though one pipe on each side will need to be re configured







Any thing is possible with a welder and a grinder

[Shaky]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Basically fitting an Olds engine is going to require you to custom build the mounts. You could have issues with the oil pan not allowing you to lower the engine low enough to allow your trans to clear the cab floor. If that is the case, you are going to have to cut and weld the floor to fit.

If you were using a SBC, you could buy everything to allow it to bolt in without mods but you're going to have to do a full custom fab job to make this work.

On a side note, I never knew that GM used Olds blocks in Chevy vehicles. Learn something new.

My buddy had a '77 Delta 88 that came from the factory with a small block chevy, but this is the first one I've seen the other way around...