Swapping from a V8 to an L6...

[Alex V.]

I'm going to be putting an L6 in my '67 2WD Suburban, and while I'm not interested in making the conversion "correct" I'm in a quandary as to exactly how many things have to be changed to accommodate the L6. I know I need a different Z bar, the brackets between the engine block and motor mounts, and if the 6 cyl. fan won't fit in the V-8 fan shroud I'll just leave the shroud off. But after searching the forum I can't find any definite explanation if, on a 2WD, the bell housing crossmember has to be moved for the swap. Can the BH stay in the same place and just the motor mount "perches" be moved forward? Will the I-6 clear the radiator with the BH in the V-8 position?

Thanks in advance.

[Alex V.]

Any advice on this?

[67ChevyRedneck]

I'm pretty sure the whole point of having different engine stands (the part that bolts to the frame and cross member) was so that different engine configurations bolted up to the trans in the same spot, so now, the trans mounts and drive shafts could all be the same. I did my I6 to v8 conversion over 10 years ago so it's all fuzzy, but if you get the correct I6 mounts you shouldn't have to touch the trans. I do seem to recall there were different mounts for the 250 and 292, I think the difference was on the PS? Not 100% on that. So, basically, you need a set of I6 mounts.

[Dano69c10]

There is a difference in the manual transmission cross members.
There is an L6 xmember, a sbc xmember, and a bbc xmember. I don't know if you could use a v8 xmember with an L6 or not. Just thought I'd let you know.
Dano

[67ChevyRedneck]

That I did not know. Now that's a pain in the butt because they're riveted in.

[FAC]

I just did this swap from a sb 307 to a 250 about two weeks ago. I used the sb perches in the sb position and left the trans crosmember and driveline where they were with the sb. I had to make a new zbar setup and the engine sits too close to the radiator to use a mechanical fan. but it all works without moving or changing any mounts. I am planning on going back to a sb eventually so I decided not to change stuff around.

[Alex V.]

Originally Posted by FAC

I just did this swap from a sb 307 to a 250 about two weeks ago. I used the sb perches in the sb position and left the trans crosmember and driveline where they were with the sb. I had to make a new zbar setup and the engine sits too close to the radiator to use a mechanical fan. but it all works without moving or changing any mounts. I am planning on going back to a sb eventually so I decided not to change stuff around.

I'm in the same situation - the six isn't a permanent installation so I don't want to completely revamp the engine compartment to accommodate it. I measured everything today and the bell housing-to- radiator distance on the 'Burb isn't even long enough for the 250 to go in. I'd consider an electric fan, but I also have to consider the trouble it's going to be to put the 'Burbs V-8 in the '74 that the I-6 is coming out of, and I pretty much decided to keep both engines in their respective vehicles and re-cam the 350 to better suit my use.

Thanks for your help, everyone. 'Least now I know for future reference!