I have been running a 235 in my 3800 for many years and for the past 20 yrs it's carried a camper and lately pulles an 8,000 lb trailer. It's got an SM420 and a Spicer 3-speed brownie. It's been hopped up to what I feel is the max for a reliable road engine. It has a lot of miles on it but runs well. But it's pretty slow on the hills. It'll now just keep up with loaded log trucks on the hills. Rebuilding a 261 doesn't seem like enough bang for the buck.
Other than a 261, the most popular option seems to be a small block Chev V-8 and I'd be starting from scratch except that I have a SM465 trans, Aluminum bell housing flywheel and clutch. There is a bell housing on craigs list that the seller says is for tri-5 chevys. The picture shows angled motor mount pads. Being that the truck is constantly run loaded I'd like to keep the factory cross member. I read the Bell housing tutorial but it's not clear if the angled bell housing will work in AD trucks.
Questions:
1) Any better options for engines than a Gen I small block?
2) Will an early small block bell housing save the cross member?
3) Anyone got a set of the 265 exhaust manifold that'll clear the steering gear?
