I have a 230ci with 3 spd on column. After a close examination of the truck it's clear that a frame off restoration is required. Since I'm going this far with the restore I'm thinking I'll change the engine and trans as well. I am considering a V8 with 5 speed on the floor conversion but want as "natural" of a fit as possible to avoid major modifications to the truck as I want to keep the truck as original as possible. And I'd like to avoid having to search the planet for a gazillion little pieces. What Engine and Trans combination do you recommend? Are there additional modifications I should/must make as well?
RE: 1966 C10 Engine and Trans conve I'm right in the middle of a engine trans swap. I went with the GM HO 350 crate motor and a 700 r/4 trans. Mine was originally a three on the tree that someone converted to a granny 4 speed. As I have the high hump trans cover with the hole already there, I chose a shifter that will, with slight modification, mount the shifter arm in the same location. I used a tilt column that has no shifter mechanisim or ignition for a "close to stock" look. So engine choice ? I can't say enough about the GM 330 HP crate 350. I know you said you were thinking of a 5 speed, but I'm old and tired of shifting ! Dennis
RE: 1966 C10 Engine and Trans conve Originally I thought I would just swap the 3 speed with a four on floor but a guy I talked to explained that the 4th speed is basically a granny and that I wouldn't be happy with it. Makes sense. I've tried hard to like the idea of auto trans but, at age 45, shifting is just too much my driving style! I'm still deciding how best to approach this restoration. I'm anxious to get started but, as you recommended, I first need a plan. I'm stuck between keeping the truck stock because it's a work of art and modifying it to my own driving style which is manual floor shift. The option of keeping it stock is further complicated for me because I learned that the engine is not the original engine...it's a 230ci from a '66 El Camino. A previous owner must have blown the original engine. If I do swap the engine and trans then I want to keep it as simple as I can to keep the costs manageable and the modifications to the original design minimal. If I had a better idea of what engine/trans combo would give me the performance enhancements with the least change to the original design I'd have an easier time deciding what to do. Decisions, decisions, decisions!
RE: 1966 C10 Engine and Trans conve If you want to use a standard transmission with your swap, look into a saginaw 4 speed from a car. I understand the unit with a "2 groove" spline (2 grooves are cut circumferentially on the imput shaft to I.D. the gear ratios) is a great mate to a truck. It should fit the bell housing and clutch fine. Patricks offers a shift linkage modification kit which lets you have the floor stick in the same place as the original granny low 4 speed. I have the transmission recommended and may or may not use it in my 62 lwb, as I'm thinking of keeping it all stock. But I researched all of this for myself and think it's a great alternative. Bill.
RE: 1966 C10 Engine and Trans conve >I have a 230ci with 3 spd on column. After a close >examination of the truck it's clear that a frame off >restoration is required. Since I'm going this far with the >restore I'm thinking I'll change the engine and trans as >well. > >I am considering a V8 with 5 speed on the floor conversion >but want as "natural" of a fit as possible to avoid major >modifications to the truck as I want to keep the truck as >original as possible. And I'd like to avoid having to search >the planet for a gazillion little pieces. > >What Engine and Trans combination do you recommend? > >Are there additional modifications I should/must make as >well? :7 :7
RE: 1966 C10 Engine and Trans conve >I have a 230ci with 3 spd on column. After a close >examination of the truck it's clear that a frame off >restoration is required. Since I'm going this far with the >restore I'm thinking I'll change the engine and trans as >well. > >I am considering a V8 with 5 speed on the floor conversion >but want as "natural" of a fit as possible to avoid major >modifications to the truck as I want to keep the truck as >original as possible. And I'd like to avoid having to search >the planet for a gazillion little pieces. > >What Engine and Trans combination do you recommend? > >Are there additional modifications I should/must make as >well? Attachments: https://talk.classicparts.com/images/attachments/i all so have a 65 34 4x4https://talk.classicparts.com/image...tion.going with the auto would be a lot easerhttps://talk.classicparts.com/images/attachments/change your cloum and set up your linkagehttps://talk.classicparts.com/image...d standard is nice if you like to shift allothttps://talk.classicparts.com/image...t will turn out great have fun and good luck.
RE: 1966 C10 Engine and Trans conve here is just a suggestion stay with the 350 and go to an automatic it's easer to install. with the 350 you will have to change your motor mounts and fabracate a bracket to slide your 350 forward 3or4in so you;ll have room for yor HEI ignition. sliding your engine forward will allow you to put your auotomatic trans in with out refabracating you well pan. then a new or used automatioc stearing colum,and hock up your linkage. if you deside to go with 5 speed trans you;ll half to refabracate your wel pan to fit the 5 speed a little more work. like you said your doing a frame off restoration,in the future you mite want to make it a rodding truck so the auoto would be your best bet,and you can do lots with a 350 for power wise what ever your choise is i;am sure it will turn out great have fun and good luck. by the way i have 65 3/4 4x4 and it;s getting 454 and a 700r trans.
RE: 1966 C10 Engine and Trans conve " with the 350 you will have to change your motor mounts and fabracate a bracket to slide your 350 forward 3or4in so you;ll have room for yor HEI ignition." I'm not sure what bracket you are fabracating here ? To move the motor forward on a 66 you should just move the existing motor mount perches foward to the next hole on the frame rail. ( the old rear perch bolt goes into the former front frame rail bolt hole.) There is another vacant bolt hole just in front of the old front perch bolt. The repositioned front perch bolt goes in there. It will require that you drill a new lower perch mount on the crossmember. This moves the motor forward about three to four inches and gives plenty of room for the HEI. ( note: the HEI should fit with the existing motor's position. It's very tight, but it will fit) After moving forward the exhaust manifolds will need to be changed, but the good nes is that early Chevelle headers should work. If this is a 4X4, forget what I just said.... Dennis
RE: 1966 C10 Engine and Trans conve oldtin: it looks like you posted attachments but they are not there.
