The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk i6 to V8 swap in 1962 C10

We just bought a C10 with a i6 in it. While looking at the mounts, we noticed the mounts are no where near a V8's mounts. What would we have to do to do a swap?? Do you think it would be worth our while to try and start the 235? It's been sitting for 23+ years, and the starter is needing repair. Should we even bother? Thanks

The 60-62 chevy trucks had a U shaped front motor mount for the v8 trucks plus the the two trans/rear motor mounts instead of side motor mounts like in the later trucks. Also the transmission bellhousings are different between 6 and 8 cylinders. I swapped out my 235 for a 350 and for now still have the 3 on the tree. The question between 6 & 8 is personal preference. I just love the sound of a v8. Have heard 235's with split manifolds and duals that did sound neat though. Good luck.

What part of GA do you live in?

The parts for the swap would be available from either a donor V8 truck or from an aftermarket company. Mainly you will need motor mounts and tranny mounts I think. These trucks were available with V8's so I think that this will be a pretty easy swap. There will be welding and fabricating involved for you or the person you hire to do the mounts and such.

I'd see if the 235 would run. Drain the gas tank and put in some fresh. Clean and gap the plugs. Stick in a working battery. If it has a std tranny, drag it around and see if it will start. It won't cost much to check that way.

Hey 6chevy5, welcome to the Stovebolt and good luck with your "new used" truck.

On the engine swap I would suggest you do a search on the topic and I believe you will find lots of information about that swap in The Engine Driveline forum page.

Peg in the Stovebolt office has made it real easy to search any subject, all you do is click on search at the top of the page, type in your topic, select the pages you want to search in and you will find about anything you want to know about your truck right here on the Stovebolt.

I personally love the 235/261 inline six, I would bet that if your 235 is not broken or froze up from setting for so long, that you could get that starter fixed and with little effort have her cranked up in no time.

Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Hobert

Well guys, we found out today the block is indeed frozen.... We are trying to decide if rebuilding that engine, or going ahead with a V8. It sound very difficult to me, to stick a V8 in there. I live Down in newnan, Georgia. Could it be possible for someone to list the parts i would need. SO i would need a new transmission? Thanks guys

Where would any aftermarket parts for this be sold?? I couldn't find any for that year.

The easiest way to do a V-8 would be to use a "donor" truck for the required parts. you'll need a pick up V-8 bellhousing,flywheel and clutch,starter,exhaust pipe and manifolds,front motor mount(the U-shaped part),a new rubber mount,probably new radiator hoses,the V-8 radiator if you can get it,the fan and shroud,also if you can get 'em,the throttle arm (on the firewall)and linkage,and it wouldn't be a bad idea to grab the engine wiring harness from the V-8 donor truck.It plugs into the firewall towards the passenger side of center,and contains the wiring for the starter,gauuge senders and ignition. Some of this you'll be able to get new/recon from your local parts store,some you might be able to use from your six,most you can get from the old truck outfits you see advertised here.
Once you have the conversion parts,you're set;pretty much any smallblock will bolt right in. (If you get your front mounting bracket from a 1-1/2 or bigger truck it's even possible to bolt in a bigblock.They often have holes to fit small and bigblocks.) The point is,the more parts you can use from a V-8 powered truck,the easier it is to swap. There's no fabrication to do except you need to cut a piece of angle iron and drill it to bolt your clutch slave cylinder to the 2 small bolts on the front edge of the bellhousing,right by the oil filter.You can either coil up your hydraulic line and leave it connected or remove it and have a shorter one built,or,again,use the one from the donor truck.
No big deal-when I did my first one I didn't have access to the correct front mount,so I used an old Hurst mount with flathead V-8 biscuits. Hadda drill holes to make that work though.
Speed

We have decided to rebuild the I6 if it can be rebuilt. What are some performance places, or parts that can be added to the I6, because we want to squeeze all the power we can get out of it. What would be the highest amount of HP we can get out of this engine. It's a 235.

I recommend that you try to get your hands on a good series of articles published last year in AutoRestorer magazine regarding ways to upgrade your inline engine. Click Here: Drive a Hot Six

Good luck and enjoy your project!

Well, WE thought it over.... AGAIN, and think we are going to stick with a V8, we just pulled the inline six out earlier. We started calling junkyards trying to locate a 60-62 C10, but cant find one yet. I hope i can find one.

i have a running 61 apache with a burn't valve in charlotte,nc i'll sale for 250.

i guess this is important.235 six/three speed.

The engine and trans doesn't necessarily need to come from the 60 - 66 era trucks. Anything from the 70's with the engine/trans combo that you want will be just as easy to install as the same year truck. They are also very affordable to buy the complete truck and use other parts from it too.
Scott

Since i have a 62, which is evidently a sucky year for a truck, What trucks would have the mounts that would bolt up to my 62? Also, if i go and look at a truck to pull off the mounts, Do they unbolt, or are they welded?

6chevy5
The factory v8 mount is not going to be available from a parts or restoration house except for the rubber pads. If you need/want to use the factory v8 mount you will need a v8 donor truck. Or if you can weld you can install the later model side mounts. They only used the mount you need on 60-62 chevy trucks. The transmission will be another issue depending on what type you use. I did a swap from a 235 to a 350 in my 61 chevy truck. same issues as yours. I stayed with the 3 speed manual. That required tthe front motor mount plus a v8 bellhousing. I got the used parts I need from RJ & Son Truck Parts. He is on the swap meet scetion of this site. His email is [email protected]. Rich can send you pictures of what you need and is very helpful. I will help you any way I can I live in GA also.

does the wishbone front mount from a larger truck(C50-60etc) fit the 1/2 ton 60-62 truck, they look similar, brian

i have the 60-62 V-8 front motor mount and bell housing (hyd)clutch to swap a 6 to a V-8. thanks RJ

I GOT SO LUCKY. MY friend who is also my co-owner of the truck, COusin is going to give us a 61 C-10 with a 350 in it already. HOw lucky is that. WE are rolling now. I noticed there is a trans kit out there, that will convert from a I6 to a V8. it's about 600. I need that right?

Oh, and thanks 61Apache and RJ for the help. I WAS wondering about the later models like a 63, motor mounts would work. They looked like they will, and i will be buying a welder soon. but since im getting the donor truck, there is no need. Thanks again for all the help.

Subscribed for future reference.

this is a 13 year old thread....

Not sure what vetnat wants to do. We’ll wait and see.