The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks 60 GMC Panel - V6 swap for 283

Hey all. Has anyone replaced their V6 with a small block? I'd like to know the best way to get the engine mounted in the GMC engine bay. I plan on going with a TH350 transmission- any problems with tailshaft length with the X-member frame?

I've gone through 2 V6's in this truck and now that the second one is starting to bellow smoke I've decided to go with something better on gas and cheaper to maintain. Plus, I use the panel for deliveries for my business so all that blue smoke is not a great advertisement.

I also have a 1960 GMC, and replaced the V6 with a 350 almost 20 years ago. Here's a link showing the engine swap and transmission mount.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=369663

Any other questions please advise.

Justin,

It's hard to imagine that you went to two V-6's? They be kinda hard to kill.

Ah, this is beautiful. Just what I needed.

I have an old Hydramatic in the back yard with a crossmember out of a 59 pontiac Starchief which also had a x-frame. I might just check to see if it will fit up into my panel and use it to mount the TH350. It has those same beveled edges as the one in your album which you used has.


When I first got this truck, it has 76,000 miles on it. I test drove it, ran GREAT, so after making the purchase I decided to stop at the 7-11 to get gas and check the oil. NO OIL. After putting oil in it the thing smoked like a chimney- there's no telling how long it has been run sans oil.

My initial plan was to find a running 'core' to drop in while I rebuilt the original one. I found one at a local junk yard, cleaned it up and started running it. At first it had a mild rod knock when cold which cleared up after the engine came up to temp, but now after 6,000 miles it's become a steady knock, it leaks oil from every conceivable nook and crevice, burns oil really bad, and gets 4mpg. This, along with the cost to rebuild the original 305A, has pushed me to the small block option. I'm a stickler for originality, and I don't exactly love the idea of putting a chevy engine in a GMC, but if I want the panel to be economical for my business at least, I think the small block is a sensible option.

I'll miss being able to stand still doing burnouts in second gear though.

The more I have studied the GMC V6, the more impressed I am with how much engineering went into the design. I've never seen another engine with the crankshaft mounted so high up in the block. It really was designed to run forever.

But the cost considerations and fun factor made the decision for me. A fully dressed 350 crate motor costed less than half what a rebuild would have set me back on the V6, along with about double the gas mileage. That and I wanted a street rod. A V8 and T10 4 speed is a lot more fun (for me) than the stump pulling torque of the stock arrangement. The other benefit was the improved handling and steering due to the weight reduction over the front suspension. I think a SBC with iron heads is about 550 pounds and a 305 V6 is about 300 pounds heavier.

Justin,

Make sure you post the infor on Jolly's 60-66 page some of the guys are looking for different parts, like valves, valve covers, rockers, intake etc. I have a frined in New Olreans who wants an extra set of heads. Can you contact me off the BB at

jbgroby@charter.net

Thanks
Jake

Mark,

The one thing about the cam shaft design in the V-6 engine is the simple fact that the shaft sits in a bath of oil at all times. So it would be impossible to dry scuff at startup, even if your out of oil. I figure the only way you could do it is buy trying to run the motor upside down?