Engine wise you will only be adding about 65 lbs more when you go to the small block.
You can add power disk to your existing suspension.
EDIT: 5-19, I believe I was wrong on the weight. As LONGBOX mentioned below, I think the difference is lighter!! Sorry.
I think the answer to your question may be answered by knowing what shape your existing front end it in. Hows the king pins, how are the springs and the shackles???
Your steering gearbox will also have to be moved over about 2" unnless you go with something else as headers will hit the gearbox.
Here is a snapshot of what I've done/doing.
I have a 52 panel that I'm putting a small block in and the ONLY thing the Previous owner did was rebuild the front end ......meaning new king pins and bushings, couple new springs, re-arched a few, and put the poly liners between springs....along with new wheel cylinders, brakes and such.
Therefore I decided to keep it original.
I bought a set of the motor mounts that fit and bolt (or weld) inside the existing chassis without having to use a crossmember. The mounts come with instructions. You can see them in my photobucket below.
I'm also putting power steering on it using a power steering gearbox off a 1974 pickup ($116 with my flaps discount) and a "conversion kit" from one of the vendors. ($95) I'm using a 1968 steering column so I will have turn signals but the switch will still be in the original location in the dash.
You will have to move the steering box over as the gearbox and headers will hit. I'm using a set of 283 headers but a set of block huggers will also work..... I've heard a set of old 265 headers will work but I do not know if they will work without moving the gearbox. I don't have a set to try.
Since I have to move the steering box anyway I prefer the 283 headers as they clear the gearbox and are not as close to the engine as the block hugger headers.
I read on here recently you can buy the Corvette headers for $55 each but forgot what model..... its the "ram horn" style same as the 283 headers.
Hope all this helps and don't confuse you. I'm sure others will chip in.
I have a couple links that are pretty good that some one listed here on the bolt for the power steering conversion. If you would like them let me know.
EDIT: you can pull out your torque tube and put in a center pumpkin from a 55 through 62 which will get from a 4:11 rearend to a 3.90 from the 55 and if you can find it some later models like the 62 have a higher gear like maybe a 3.73......if I remember correctly. I have a 56 rearend (3.90) in my panel.
Lots of other options. Some rear ends with disc like you suggested........ if you look around the tech tips you will find a list of donor rearends from a lot of cars, and trucks, with the correct width.
Others will chime in and correct me if I'm off on some of my "numbers". I'm getting to old to remember a lot of this stuff!!!
Last edited by Achipmunk; 05/18/2009 4:28 AM. Reason: Correct the engine wt.
