Six to V-8 swap

[WMBigs]

Hi all,
I have a 76 1/2 ton with the straight six. Want to pull it out and put a V-8 in it. Will I need different frame mounts for the engine? I plan on reusing the original 3 speed manual, will I need a different bellhousing?
Ideally, I would like a complete 5.7 with the serpentine belt setup. But not ready to use TBI, maybe later.
This will be a driver and reliability needs to be #1. Will use full length headers and possibly a mild torque type cam. Rear end gears are 3.42. Would like an OD trans down the road also.

Thanks all, MikeB

[iceman427]

I don't know much about 70's trucks but if you're trying to keep costs down, I suggest getting everything from the same donor vehicle. I recently swapped a 1992 4.3 TBI to a 1998 5.7 Vortec and got everything from the same donor vehicle. The entire swap ran about $2,000.00 and spanned about 3 years with actual work time of about 3 months. The hardest part of the swap for me was getting all the wiring straight. One piece of advice is to take as many pictures from as many angles as you can. Had I done that my project would have gone smoother.

[modular93fox]

What you could since its going to be a daily driver is stick in a new genIII ls motor in there. Its not hard to do, and isnt that much. You can get a 5.3 motor, 4l60e trans with all the fixings for about 12-1500. tuned and running for anohter 500. and get around 19-22mpg on the open roads

[jimmy_dong]

yes on the motor mounts. no on the bellhousing.

[WMBigs]

Thanks for the help. I just started a local search for engine. Do want to get a complete setup with all the accessories. I would really like the 96-2000 Vortec 5.7. Swap the intake manifold and install headers. I think that would be a great driver.
Thaks again, MikeB

[jimmy_dong]

if you are going to go a vortec route, yes you want the motor to be as complete as possible. harness and all.

[90Accord]

i take it the straight six is a 250 or 292, if so the only thing you will have to change to put a small block in there is the mounts on the block, everything else will be the same from the bell housing to the mounts on the cross member