The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Engine opinions for 63 L60

Yep, I know the feeling of being the fall guy for somebody else's mistake. I drove a Freightliner with a 270 Cat and an Eaton 15-speed for a while. That one had a 5-speed main box, and a 3-speed twin-screw rear end. Each main box gear got split three times by shifting the rear ends. The axles were actually only 2-speed, but an intermediate gear could be had by shifting one into low range, and the other into high. A 3-position splitter knob on the shifter controlled the electrically-shifted rear axles. (Low/Int./High) It was absolutely necessary to hold power on while moving the splitter knob, then let off the power or tap the clutch to unload the axles and allow the shift to happen, like a regular 2-speed axle. My trainee driver got confused, let off the throttle, and then moved the splitter switch. The rig coasted along in a false neutral for about 100 feet, then SLAMMED into gear! About 500 miles later, with me driving, the input shaft to the power divider snapped cleanly in two. I guess it took that long for the crack the slam-shift created to separate all the way. We rebuilt the power divider in a vacant lot in Salinas, California!
Jerry

Reminds me on how I'm not a fan of 2-Speed (or 3-Speed) Rears. My 2-Speed mis-shifted once going up a hill hauling a load of bricks with my '62 GMC 6500. It didn't engage in gear, but it still wanted to. The whole truck shook and banged. It was the first time it ever happened and all I did was dump in the clutch and come to a stop. If I shifted the button back out it probably would have stopped, but by the time I realized that it quit banging. Not sure what brand of rear it was, but that tough old thing never wimpered. I thought it was a goner for sure.

Don't get me wrong, I would rather have a 2-Speed rather than no 2-Speed, but I prefer all my gears in the transmission.

Bill

If you get an engine out of a car it probally has a cast crank and is not suitably for a larger truck. If the present engine came out of that truck it has the steel crank and also the valves have 3/8 stems and rotators on the exhausy valves, a lot of people say that SBC don't have the 3/8 valve stems but they do. I believe they call them stalite valves and they dissapate the heat faster. The best bet is the 427 tall block truck motor for torque and just get down the road power, just make sure the govenor is working or you might put some big windows in the oil pan. Good luck in your choice.

Dont know how that happened.