1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

Hey Members,

I am hoping to get some wisdom about my plans for a 1966 C10 that I hope to make a dependable daily driver. Currently it has a bad 700r4 transmission and a 4.3 V6 that was taken out of who knows what (I should take photos of the homemade motor mounts it is setting in. WTF is all I can say about that).

My wife says that I can spend 10K max to make it a dependable daily driver.

So my thoughts are to buy a turnkey crate motor (about 5K from blueprint, jasper, or someone else w/ warranty) and a standard transmission (hopefully 2K or less with clutch and bell housing). I am not sure which engine/transmission would make for an easy instal that I can accomplish over the Thanksgiving Break.

I am sure that I will also need foot pedal assembly for clutch pedal.

Has anyone done an auto to standard transmission swap like this? If so what were the troubles you ran into, and what advice would you give?

Thanks in advanced for any help!!!

Mark

P.S. I saw Jocko has a nice post on swapping to a T-5 but it sounded like that was manual to manual transmission swap.

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

Was your truck originally a manual or auto? Summit usually has some good prices on their crate motors. May want to take a look at them. Also a supporting membership will allow you to post want to buy for the little things that you are going to need. Motor mounts, pedal assembly etc. Also pics would be helpful to what you are starting off with.

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

Welcome to the board. Pics will be a big help in getting you going. I second the supporting member.
Jimmy

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

Powers & PGSigns: Thanks for the reply! I am not sure what the truck was originally since the steering column, engine, and transmission are all transplants.

The motor is a 4.3L V6, which I understand to be similar to the 350 V8 but missing the last two cylinders.

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

Is the v6 a vortec? If so I could consider keeping it if you just want a daily driver. I don't know if you would be able to shred the tires like you could with a sbc, but the 4.3 vortec v6 was a good motor. A friend of mine had one in his truck, and he kept up just fine with the boys with 454s.

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

I went from a TH400 to an NV4500 in mine. Hydro clutch master from Willwood, slave from Dorman. Not apples to apples but kinda. Had to get the pedal assembly which went in fairly easy. Clutch rod to master alignment still bugs me but I drive it all the time nonetheless. Using the factory V8 motor mounts for the big block. Wish I could have moved it forward an inch. Stars have to be aligned, tarot card in order and my wife shaking animal bones in a jar just right for the passenger side valve cover to come off :lol:. Other than that... its easy.

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

Lil Loafer & 63GENIII: I think it is a vortec 4.3... The motor is crammed so far back into the transmission tunnel that I can not see the casting number on the block or heads. I am going to pull the engine/transmission out this weekend and see what those numbers are. I could save money big time if I could have this block/heads rebuild. Then I would only need to find a good standard 5 speed gear box, bell housing, clutch, foot pedal assembly.

Can you move your engine/transmission forward by moving the mounts and a longer drive shaft? I don't know how many problems I have gotten in thinking that "It should be easy as that" and then realized half way in " I didn't think of X, Y, and Z."

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

Nice truck. Don't forget to budget in time and money for wiring. If you are looking for a reliable driver you don't want a spliced/hacked mess. The good news is quality harnesses are available for both stock and custom applications, but I was very surprised how fast the cost added up.
Good luck, Tom

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

If I remember correctly... the 4.3 Vortecs will have the word Vortec on the valve covers. Do I see A/C there too? Seems to be a nice little pickup there.

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

Joseph, the truck you drew at the bottom of your signature page is awesome!

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

Ya know, the 4.3 is still put in base trucks today but they have fuel injection and have nice power. Just a thought.

I have been think about keeping the V6 the more I look at what is already in the truck. Maybe just pull the transmission out and have it rebuilt and get back on the road.
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Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

When I swapped from auto to stick, I found a rusty, crusty parts truck that had all the manual tranny stuff intact. That way I had all I needed plus a few good "other" parts. I even sold off some of it when I got done.

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

Was the donor parts truck a 60-66, or did you have another year and model that worked for you?

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

Not a bad way to go. That's what I would do, unless you do those kind of swaps all the time they can end up turning into a long term project with a lot of money poured in. The domino effect takes hold, ask me how I know ;)

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

Not what I want to hear, but sounds like what I need to hear!

I don't do them all the time. I am a school teacher (second grade for now, but hopefully soon wood shop and welding).

It is looking more and more like I should have the 700R4 transmission rebuilt and put some real motor mounts under the 4.3L engine. Focus on the suspension and breaks next, rebuild the motor last, and cosmetic stuff very last.

P.S. What happened? What did you domino with?

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

It was a 63-66 donor. I actually just swapped the whole darn frame 'cuz the donor was a shortbed and mine was a longbed '66 w/factory automatic. (It's my avatar truck) I do get some confused looks when I tell people that I swapped from auto to stick, but I just like the shifting, the sound, and the reliability. Even my 2wd Tacoma work truck is a stick and when I went looking for a new one with a manual trans, the Toyota dealer laughed and said it was "like finding a unicorn". I ended up with a new motor and clutch instead. I guess gear bangers are a vanishing breed. :waah:

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

If you do end up having the 700R4 rebuilt, make sure that the TV cable is connected correctly and that the trans pressures are correct. If you do not, that new trans will not last long.

Re: 1966 C10 Auto to Standard Transmission +Engine Swap
 

X2. Unless it needs a motor I'd leave it, spend the money on other things.