I am currently restoring my 65 C10, frame up. I have taken off the engine, tranny and entire body, the only thing left is the complete frame with all suspension parts. I plan on moving the gas tank from the cab to under the bed and I also plan on converting the standard tranny to a automatic 350. I was wondering if I needed to do any modifications to the frame before I send it to get beadblasted and powdercoated. Also, I have the standard 283 that came with the pick up and a 305 that was pulled from a monte carlo and I dont know what engine to run. I also have an option to buy a 350 that is sitting at the machine shop, the only thing it that its just the block and crankshaft which has been inpected and machined. Was wondering if anybody had any thoughts or suggestions. My goal is to drive my pick up as a daily driver or at least 2-3 times a week. Anything will help.
You will want to remove the bellhousing support crossmember before you send the frame off. Motor choices ? I would NOT use the 305. Their valve guides are prone to leak with age resulting in start-up smoke. Not much in the way of power either. I wouldn't choose the block sitting in the rebuilder's either. Why ? because by the time you are done, you would have spent as much as a new crate motor. So the choice is then rebuild the 283, or a crate motor. Rebuilding the 283 is a good choice if you want to retain the factory "look" or go for a nostalgic "look". The cost will get you near a new crate motor. You will get more HP and torque out of the crate motor. It's a good match to the automatic trans too as they usueally already come with the flex-plate needed for an automatic trans. They can also be purchased with the distributor, intake & carb and water pump. Pretty much plug and play. I pulled a 305 with a 2 barrel and Granny 4 speed out of my 64 panel that was getting, on a good day, 9-10 mpg. Replaced it with a GM HO350 crate and a 700R4 trans. Bolted right in after a driveshaft shortening. Result was 16-18 mpg in town and 21 mpg on the highway. Val
What the weight of your truck what rear gear in it. how big of exhust pipes did you have on it was there exhaust manifolds small one's or the bigger 350 style on it or headers. Oh the first thing to change is the 2BBL to a 4BBL. I all aways got better gas miles with a 4BBL carb over the 2BBL carb if you keep the foot light, and more HP too.
If you don't already have the tranny then look at installing a 700R4. You will get much improved MPG and highway driveability. Unless the 350 comes with the heads stick with the 283. There is not a big performance advantage over the 283 with the 305. If you want a 350 go for a crate motor. After piecing a block together and machine work you can sink a lot of money into a mild peforming motor.
283s are excellent motors in production for 10 years and they probably stoped production because they were such a good engine,just had put in my thoughts on engines.Look at the first year of production of 283 in 1957 the fuel-injection- fuellys those really had the horsepowerthey only put them in corvettes & bel-airs I think that year.
"What the weight of your truck what rear gear in it. how big of exhust pipes did you have on it was there exhaust manifolds small one's or the bigger 350 style on it or headers." It was a panel truck which I believe is slightly lighter than a pickup. It had the stock 3:70 rear. I used 2 1/2 inch exhaust all the way back with Smitty's mid-way. I move the motor forward 2 1/2 inches and used Chevelle Shortie 3/4 headers. Val
