The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop engine tranny swap

Hi everyone
Hoping to get some pointers on this. I have a 1961 suburban with a 235 and three on the tree. Wanting to replace with a 283 and automatic (350 with a gear vendors or 200-4-r). Any suggestions and extras I would need to do would be much appreciated.

This is a common swap. Some 61's came with a V-8 and a powerglide trans. You will need as complete of a V-8 as possible as none of the 6 cyl parts will interchange. Front & rear aftermarket crossmembers are available for mounting. You will likely need to modify the driveshaft and replace the front yoke. A complete exhaust system and a shift mechanism are also needed. Some electrical mods are required and you may want to upgrade to an alternator. You will probably need to upgrade the cooling system as needed for an automatic trans. It just takes some knowledge, cash, and work.
Fred

"I have a 1961 suburban with a 235 and three on the tree. Wanting to replace with a 283 and automatic"

One question: Why?

Thanks Fred
I got the 283 from a 66 suburban, not sure if it original. And it came with a T350 tranny. The motor runs, not sure of the transmission, will rebuild both. I took the motor mounts with the engine, mount on the sides of the engine to frame. they should work I think. I believe I may need 1" spacers between the frame and motor mounts (read this somewhere in the forums). My 235 has the big horseshoe front mount on it. I did not take the tranny mount out of the 66 as it looked very rough, now wishing I did to use as a template. Can you explain more about the crossmembers I will require, are they for mounting the motor and transmission? I plan to upgrade the complete electrical in the truck to either an EZ wire or an American Autowire system. The EZ wire system is about $300-$400 less expensive. Knowledge is as close as the stovebolt forums and tech tips, I'm not scared of work, but its the cash that may slow me down. Luckily I'm not in that big a rush.
Thanks Dale

You can get the "Mr. Roadster" wiring harness in the 23 circuit 20 fuse (part # 910-64001) or 12 circuit (part # 910-64017) from Speedway for a hundred and fifty bucks and it's a good item. The 23 circuit is for a rod with power windows, power locks, solenoid door releases, etc., etc. The 12 circuit handles 90% of applications and can handle a/c, alt., electric fan, electric wipers, and all the usual circuits.

53moneypit
This suburban is going to do duty as a tow vehicle. I've towed some heavy loads with it the way it is, but that three on the tree not being able to go back to first gear unless you are almost at a stand still is very inconveniant. I already have the 283 and automatic sitting there doing nothing. My main concern about changing it to an automatic is my wife may want to drive it.
Dale

Your rear crossmember will probably need to be removed. The bellhousing bolted to it and the trans did not have a mount. The earlier TF trucks have a similar configuration. You may be OK on the front mount from the 66. However, all the catalogues I have list a mount for 63-66, so I don't know what the differences are. You will need a rear crossmember for the 350 trans. These sould be available from a number of sources. My Truck Shop catalogue shows a crossmember for 63-72 but nothing for
60-62. You may need to get the 63 part and modify it.
Fred