The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Another engine / trans queston

OK. I have looked in the search feature, learned a little, it was good to know stuff, but could NOT find a project exatly like mine.
Here is the deal, I have a 1965 C-10 Stepside that has been in the family since new. It is in desparate need of restoration! So, I put it in the shop here last week, and started the teardown. The orriginal setup as a 230 I-6 with a "3 on the tree" transmission, both of wich are shot. We are building a 250ci. I-6 to replace the 230. I have purchased a 700R4 from a 1987 R10. ( Someone said this was accually a "4L60" transmission, and it was a later, stronger trans. )
Do you know what flywheel ( Flexplate) I need to order to hook this trans up to this engine?
Has anyone put a 250 I-6 and 700R4 in place of an 3 speed manual in a 1963 - 1966 C-10 pickup?
It is my understanding that I am going to have to custom build a transmission mount bracket, is that correct? Also, if I use a floor shift kit from B&M, can I not make the transmission shift when I move the lever and do away with the T.V. cable?? ( Kind of a "manually shifted automatic" ,,, if you will ) The truck has a 4.10:1 rear axle. Thus the reason why I wanted a 700R4 instead of a TH350. I have not started the rebuild of the 250 motor yet. Will be starting on it this week. Any last minute Ideas or preformance tips? I am hoping when done with the engine & auto overdrive, running at 55 mph, I will avg. 20 MPG or so.

I am sure I will have a bazillon questions to ask during the restoration on this truck, but for now, this is where I stand. The body work & painting are no-brainers for me. Have done several truck's before in reguards to paint & body. But this is the FIRST time I have ever removed a motor & transmission and done a comletely different engine / trans swap.

What's a Brazillian question? One with no hair? J/K!

I believe the 4l60 has'nt got a tv on it, and is electronically controlled instead. The 700r4 has a tv and it must be used and adjusted properly or trans damage could result. I also think the driveshaft will require shortening. The mount is further back, and you might be able to just slde the crossmember back and redrill new holes.

a very large indefinite number ( slang )
John Galt (1779–1839), Scottish novelist and colonial administrator

Any flexplate up through 85 for a 6cyl or small block v-8 except 400 should fit. Check that it has holes that line up with the converter. If not you can drill some. There are 2 different diameters of flexplates. Get one the same as was on the engine so the starter will line up. Make sure there is holes in the engine to bolt the starter to as the old one bolted to the bell housing. You will need to remove the crossmember that the bell housing set on. You can get a universal rear crossmember to support the rear of the trans. as the manual didn't use one. You have to use a TV cable with a 700-4R. I dont know about the 4L60. The setup of this cable & adjustment are critical. Then get the drive shaft modified to fit.

First off; the 4L60 was not produced until 1992. So if your trans is in fact out of a 1987, then it's a 700R4. Granted the internals are IDENTICAL.

The easiest way to tell the differce is to look at the casing and the tail shaft bolts.

4L60 - 3 case halves and 6 bolts on the tailshaft housing.
700R4 - Single case half and 4 tailshaft housing bolts.

Now if you do infact have a 4L60 then you must know that there are two variants. The 4L60 and the 4L60E... simple to dicern which is electronically controlled. The other will have a kick-down cable.

And yes on both the 4L60 and 700R4 you need this cable otherwise you will always be in OD and the trans will not downshift properly. If it is too tight the opposite will happen; you won't upshift properly and will never engage OD.

As far as your question goes for which flexplate you need... Take off your flywheel and drag it to a local parts house that keeps flex plates in stock. Call first of course, but ask if they have a flexplate for a 82-92 Chevy Camaro with an automatic. EVERY single one of them came with the 700R4. So you can compare and contrast. Post up pics and I might be able to get a steel adapter made if the hassle isn't too much.

Rick C. ,,, Appreciate the info! So I do, infacto, have a 700R4. (700R4 - Single case half and 4 tailshaft housing bolts.)

I have a new flywheel for a 350. The pilot hole is too small, as is the bolt pattern where the flywheel bolts to the crankshaft. So the search continues for a flywheel.

So I take it as this is the first known of to be done. ( On this web site anyway.) As no one responded with accual experiance of changing one out on above said truck.

The flywheel you have is for a 86 up. You need the earlier model. Ive put 2 700-4R trans in but they are behind V-8s & they already had auto trans. in them. A 63 & 70. The 6 is pretty much the same thing except the TV hookup at the carb will be a problem. It should work real good with the 4.11 rear end. A T-5 manual trans. swap would be easier.

I like to shift my own. I'm running a t-5 in my '62. The easier auto trans is the 200r4. Its the same length as a t-350 (or was it the t-400?), so your 3 speed driveshaft should work as is. It's plenty strong for an inline and they are relatively easy to find.

I agree with you blackjack62, but the thing is, I allready have a 700R4 purchased. A floor mounted 5-speed would have been the best set up, however, I must build this truck to another family members spec's. So auto trans it is.