The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks 1960 235 to V8 swap questions

My 60’ Apache has a 235 and 3 speed manual installed. I want to switch to a V8 small block, but research into this has only confused me.
For some reason, I can’t find any source for motor mounts. The places I’ve checked carry mounts for all years EXCEPT 60-62. Did the V8 come with the front horseshoe mount (impossible to find), or does somebody out there make perches and side mounts?

If I stay with the manual transmission, does this mean I need a V8 bellhousing that mounts to the frame, as well has having the clutch fork (hydraulic) on the passenger side? All the V8 bellhousings I’ve seen have the clutch fork on the driver side and no mounts (meaning a rear crossmember is required).

And finally, since the V8 is shorter than the six, the engine must mount in the right spot to make sure the driveshaft length doesn't have to change.

I’m hoping somebody has done this same swap and can clear up some of this mystery for me.

- Phil

Phil,
I know you asked for swap advice but I would like offer just plain advice as a fellow '60 Apache owner. Think long & hard before you ditch the 6. If I had the funds back high school (1977) mine would have have a V-8. Now as both 'ol blue & I near our 55 birthdays I never once wish I have made the swap. There are many posts on this subject if you are set a 'V' and you'll get any help need here on the forum.

BC

Phil, check out persh.org

They have mounts to convert. Finding factory ones is darn near impossible. Best of luck to you.

thanks for the advice guys, I'll take a look at persh.org and see if I want to try to tackle this, or as BC suggests, just stay with the 6 for a while. I just fear that rear seal leak ;-0

And BC, I too am the same age as the truck, graduated in 1978.

I guess I'll play the devil's advocate. I swapped the out the 235 for a 283 in my '62 and have never looked back. Found the horseshoe mount and the correct bellhousing, freshened up the clutch and have been rolling ever since.

the 283 was an option for 1960, shouldn't be too hard to rig - and yes, most V8 bellhousings do have the mounts, look at older ones, although you'll have a search to find one with the fork on the pass side for your hydraulic clutch - positioning to avoid changing the driveshaft should work because the trans won't move, but you'll need to find a fan shroud as the fan will be too far back from the rad .... might want to consult with 4-5-6 chevy trucks, owner is a member here you can find in the member list

Bill

So...how were the Factory 283 get set up in the Trucks, which otherwise would have had a 235 in them?

How did the Factory deal with the 283 being so much shorter? and to solve the Fan to Radiator spacing issue?

fan shrouds pretty much became standard on V8 trucks from 58 on - here's a 60, pretty hard to find that style now although they were also used on the cars back then, like the one I found for my 58 .... most folks now opt for an electric pusher instead

Bill

Properly installed shroud, AND a fan spacer.

My '65 has a 350 SBC... just yesterday at a local car show I told my wife that I kind of wish it had a straight 6..

http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/...20Truck%20Stuff/DSCF2858_zps0c1d7ede.jpg

http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/...20Truck%20Stuff/DSCF2859_zpsce419f40.jpg

Huh!!

Isn't that interesting..!

When I first got my 1960 P-20, I soon on found an early 327 Engine, which I bought and had re-built.

There was still a Junkyard in Town ( gone now ) which had some old stuff and I got the early V-8 Truck Factory Engine mounts, and a Cast Iron Bell Housing to go between my existing Transmission and the early 327...figuring I would replace the 235 with the 327, so as to be able to get on the Highway or Interstate, once I move across country.

I have not thought about the transplant since, but, understanding the Fan Shroud is a big help, thanks for that info and images!

I think I could fabricate a shroud and do a good job of it and for the Step Van, no one would ever see the Shroud anyway so, if it were a little different than the ( scarce ) Stock one, I would not mind.

yes, that early shroud would be pretty simple to fab up, just need to size it so the fan blades sit at the opening, half in/half out

Bill

If the Shroud were a little deeper, could one do away with the Fan Hub 'extention'? ( Seems like one could...long as the Fan was at the opening, as you describe ).

yes, those spacers are just for getting the fan in that 'sweet spot'

Bill