Can I Install Small Block V-8 in 1965 CHevy Pickup

165

Asked by denn Mar 15, 2013 at 04:35 PM about the 1965 Chevrolet C/K 10

Question type: Car Customization

What I would like to do is remove the inline six in my 1965 Chevy Pickup and install a Small Block or Big Block V8. I have a three on the tree and would like to keep that in place. Is there any V8's that would be easier to install than certain other V8'S ? Anyone tackle this before?

16 Answers

Standard engine was the High Torque 230 Six with the big 292 Six or 283 V8 available,

5 people found this helpful.
165

Yes, but can I put a modern Block(off e-bay for example) in place of the 230 Six cylinder? What will work and what won't? (Modern engine that will bolt up to three on the tree)

16 people found this helpful.
4,945

you could fit any engine you want . Your allways gona struggle puting in an engine no mater what engine it is.I would put a modrn LS engie if your looking for that modern horse power.

11 people found this helpful.
175,805

How about a nice low RPM, high torque Cadillac V8 from the 70's? You can get those hard to find parts at http://www.500cid.com/

1 people found this helpful.
5,890

Just my opinion but if the six runs good, just leave it. My buddy had one just like yours and it had real good power. If you have fast on your brain that three on the tree will have to go for it is way, way to slow shifting. Although with the right rear end gears maybe 4.56's instead of the stock 4.00's u could use just 2nd and 3rd gear with somewhat faster results. Also if you did'nt check the rear swing arms you might want to they love to rust out. l also believe that truck has a factory posi.

7 people found this helpful.
50,595

If you want a V-8, a small block GM will work. You will have to put in motor mounts in a different location, and find a transmission that will fit. You may have to give up the 3 on the tree unless you find an adapter to bolt up to the new engine. This will mean moving the trans mounts to a new location also. There are a lot of good automatic trans made now that are nearly as good as your manual. If you want it for show, try a 5 speed from tremec, but if it is a work truck and you want power, an inline 6 is your ticket. Look at a turbo for more power or after market F.I systems. The 3 on the tree will not give you the real power you need for an everyday work truck. Look at sites that have customized p/u trucks and see what they have done. Go to a good speed shop and ask there also.

9 people found this helpful.
375

any small block wil work the inline six mounts wount work buy mounts for a small even for a passenger size car drill the holes bolt them up and put your 350 in and it will work with your three on the tree

11 people found this helpful.
70

I got a 66 c10 step side and I put a 454 with a floor shifter had to move motor mounts but wasn't to bad had to get bigger radiator with electric fan other fan wouldn't fit

7 people found this helpful.
50,595

robsoto, what about a transmission? same one? Or use one that was made for the 454? Also truck or auto 454? How-about driveshaft and rear end if you changed transmissions? Did you change the transmission mounts also? Since the truck was made for a small block V-8, and you dropped a huge block V-8, (HP and Tq, and CI) did you also change the front springs?

6 people found this helpful.
20

Yes you can! I used the same motor mounts the six has just got rid of the towers the in between the brace and mount you should not have to worry about moving transmission at all on some models you might have to beat the fire wall back a little when using a hei I just got done doing my 64 with a 350 and 4 of my friend 66's it's not had had as most people make it . But if your just looking for more hp you can buy a 4 barrel manifold for you six

2 people found this helpful.
40

What V8 engine and transmission came in the 1966 stepside long bed PickkUps. I found one set up for 3 on the tree...???

4 people found this helpful.
30

Ok I have a 63 c10 with the 250 and 4 speed I was going to swap a small block v8 in until I rebuild the 250 will a 305 350 bolt to the 4 speed or is that a no go

3 people found this helpful.
110

You need a truck V8 bell housing and make sure it's for a 11" cluth set up.

7 people found this helpful.

just swap sides with the motor mounts and the small block will bolt right in without changing anything.

110

9 year's to late but this may help someone else... Any of the Chevy SB or Chevy BB Engines will be the same amount of time & work. The Chevy Small Blocks 262,265,267,283,302,307,327,350&400 will all bolt up to your now existing Truck Cast Iron Bell Housing so you CAN KEEP your "Shifter on the Tree" =column of the steering wheel. Also if you wanted to go with one of Chevy Big Blocks the 396,400,402,427,454 they all can bolt up to your now existing Truck Cast Iron Bell Housing's so again you can keep the Shifter on the Column. (*Note-The only Chevy BB Engines I'm unsure of are the older 348 & 409 engines bolting up to your Truck Cast Iron Bell Housing?) You CAN use both sides of the I6 Motor Mounts IF your C10 had/has the Chevy I6 230 or Chevy I6 250 Engine's only. *If your C10 has/had the Chevy I6 292 the only Motor Mount that you can use is the driverside motor mount only*, bcuz the passenger side motor mount is special, it's made just for the Chevy-GMC C10's I6 292 Engine & C10 frame only, it's a very different shape & sets more forward of the driver side motor mount, so it will not work on any V8 of any kind for an Engine V8 Swap. I will give you some good advice go buy "Aftermarket V8 Motor Mounts" they work so much better and easier to bolt up to your V8 Engine & C10 frame, they are like the newer motor mounts on 1970 Nova's & Camaro's, so much easier to line up. *Note- The Chevy Truck's & Chevy Car's Cast Iron or the Aluminum Bell Housing's in or on the Gen 1 Chevy SB V8's and Chevy BB V8's Will Bolt Up to all the Engines I listed above, all those Engines where built from 1962 up to around 1982? Even Chevy's Little Mighty "Iron Duke" 153 I4 Cylinder Engine will bolt up to the Chevy Truck & Chevy Car Cast Iron & Aluminum Bell Housing's. All the Chevy I6's Engines the 194,230,250,292 will Bolt up to the Chevy Truck & Chevy Car Cast Iron & Aluminum Bell Housing's. All your Gen 1 Chevy SB V8's & Chevy BB V8's above and all the Chevy I6 Cylinders above & the Chevy I4 153 Engine CAN be bolted up to the 2 speed Powerglide Automatic Trans, The TH200 3sp Auto Trans, The TH200R4 Auto Trans, The TH350 3sp Auto Trans, The 700R4 Auto Trans, The 4L60-80 Auto Trans, The TH400 3sp Auto Trans and a few more can be Bolted up to all the Chevy SB V8's & all Chevy BB V8's & all Chevy I6's & the I4 Engines listed above. You can use the Muncie's, Saginaw's & Borg/Warner 3-4- 5-6 speed transmissions & other's on the Chevy Truck & Chevy Car Cast Iron & Aluminum Bell Housing's, JUST make sure you get the right Pressure Plate, Clutch & Throw Out Bearing to match your transmissions Input Shaft Count & Size on your Standard Transmission. Chevy engineers back in the 1960's made it really easy for us "Shade Tree Mechanics" back then and now so we "Motorheads" can keep having fun for many more year's "Pulling Wrenches". 1Nimrod (Dustin)

4 people found this helpful.

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