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hi guys, im looking to put a crate motor in my 61 apache. now is 6 cylinder with 3 on the tree. will the tranny fit behind the crate( small block)?

The cheapest crate engine is the 290 hp 350ci which can be had for less than $2000.00 is you look around. I purchased mine from a Chevy for around $1900.00. Four bolt main and till now solid as a rock. Additional costs for adding carb, intake and such. Should bolt right up. I needed block hugger headers, new motor mounts and so on.

I got mine for 1400 from Jegs.

Great way to go. Easy to mod up and reliable. I' m well into my second season on the road since we finished swapping my six for a GM crate - very happy.

I agree the GM crate engine is the way to go. In answer to your question, the engine will not fit your 6 cyl. bell housing but the trans will work with the proper bell housing. The bell housing from a 55 up v-8 will work. You probably have a hydraulic clutch linkage. Finding a bell housing with the clutch arm on the right hand side for the hyd. cyl. is very difficult.

The standard GM crate engine is rated 260 Hp provided you use the recommended manifolds, carb, etc. As mentioned they can be had for about $1400 shipped. You will still need all the accessories which could add another $1000 depending on what your preferences are.
The 290 HP can run more. I have installed several of them and believe it is a good option.
Fred

For some reason I thought the small v8 would bolt up to the tranny. "Wrenchbender Ret." has it right. Sorry for the confusion.

The low starting price (I paid $1259 to Jegs on an Ebay special) is about half of what you will need to get thst 260hp - add manifold, carb, headers,(possibly) cast valve covers, dist, water pump, fuel pump, brackets, plug wires & so on & the price can double... If you want a bit more HP & cool factor = more $. I added a modest grind roller cam, roller lifters & rockers, ported the heads & topped it with tri-power. Not a radical change and it's reliable, economical & fun.

Ditto on the bellhousing posts - a repop 3899621 V8 bellhousing (For 168 tooth flywheel, 11" clutch, 4-5/8" bearing retainer) and worked nicely for me. Works with Muncie, Tremec & B-W - I think a T5 works too.

The modern way is to find a wrecked 2wd truck or van and get a new style fuel injected GM SL engine and overdrive trans.
The small blocks were good but it is 2016!
Newer wrecking yard stuff is way cheaper, has lots of life and one donor for all the stuff.

It worked great for me in my Ply----h. A lot more jam and better fuel mileage.