Small Block 400 (511)
 

I'm suppose to go pick up a 511 400 Chevy small block in the morning and I need some answers before I spend my money.

I have a 66 c10 3speed column shift. I'm not very sure on the transmission but I've found most have a Muncie M62/M64? As far as I know it's the basic transmission it came with. It's got a 250 straight 6 from a mid 70s Nova.

Will this 400 sbc fit my current transmission? Will I need to convert a lot of parts to fit the new 400 V8 from the 250 straight 6? Any info would be great. Never done an engine swap so help would be amazing.

Thanks!!

Re: Small Block 400 (511)
 

You will need a different flywheel because the 400 is externally balanced but otherwise unbolt the 6 and the 400 will bolt in place.

Re: Small Block 400 (511)
 

That's great news. Any other helpful tips? I heard the 400 had cooling issues or something?

Re: Small Block 400 (511)
 

You will need a good radiator. Look at what is put in a vehicle of the era that the 400 SBC for the amount of area you need. A '67-72 radiator will give you the idea. Your truck has a down flow radiator, so I'd recommend at least a 3-row if you don't have AC. Chevrolet cheaped out in '71 and put 2-row radiators in big wagons with AC and ate a bunch of engines under warranty from overheating. It wasn't the engine, it was the piddly radiators.

Re: Small Block 400 (511)
 

I just got a nice 3 row when I started working on this truck so I lucked out there. I understand I'll need to do some work to the engine but trying to convert the truck to mount a V8 shouldn't be too hard?

Re: Small Block 400 (511)
 

Frame stands are the same between the 250s and a sbc. Bell housing is also the same. If you haven't done so already, you will need to run the radiator in the v8/heavy duty cooling location and put a fan shroud on it. Run a short water pump and you can use the factory shroud. Run a long water pump and you will have to either make your own shroud or you could go with an electric fan

Re: Small Block 400 (511)
 

Might want to look at this:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...5&postcount=10

Re: Small Block 400 (511)
 

I know my engine isn't what came with the truck originally but by the picture and info in this past post my truck must of had a V8 to start with. It has all the same look that the post shows.

Re: Small Block 400 (511)
 

Man, that makes it even easier to swap. The previous owner of my truck hacked the frame rails to fit the v8 radiator in the inline 6 spot :cuss:

Re: Small Block 400 (511)
 

This was an old farm truck that was pieced together as things went wrong. It had a geotracker radiator in it (said geo tracker in big sharpie letters) so no telling what I'll run into as this keeps going