Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

Right...... Now that I have your attention.

In the UK we do not have the easy access to V8 donors that you guys have in the USA so we have to try make do with whatever we can get out hands on.

I bought a low mileage V8 from a Chevy Caprice a few months ago with the plan and intention of fitting it to my truck, replacing the tired straight six that it was fitted with.

Along the way with the dismantling of the truck, I have found loads of cock-ups from previous owners, damage and welded on bumpers to compensate for chassis horn damage.

I have been trying to get the 307 engine and box trial fitted for a few days, and every way I go the Hedman headers I have or gearbox hits.

HAS ANYONE SUCCESSFULLY FITTED A 307 engine with TH350 auto box into a '65 Long Fleetside before?

If so, is there a build thread, or does anyone have some advice for me please?

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...psa42ca0c8.jpg

That is the engine in place. But the headers will hit the suspension.

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

This is super-easy. You just need the right frame-to-engine brackets for a small block, a cross-member to support the back of the trans, and the right length drive shaft.

I've seen a small-block placed on the straight six brackets, but it puts the engine very close to the firewall, especially if you have HEI. It might be worth it to have someone from the States ship you the right brackets. The rest can probably be accomplished over there.

Cheers!

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

Can you post more pictures of the engine? From what you have posted it appears your 307 is somewhat different than a sbc.
Greg.

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

?? Ditto on the above. ??

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

first off that is not a small block chevy engine , its a oldsmobile 307. so you will have todo what ever it takes to fit a exhaust system

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

My bad for not looking more closely. This is a lot more custom...

Also - how do you do any work in that "hallway"?

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...ps0dacd72f.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...ps2e336613.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...ps4d4578ae.jpg

Here's the pictures of the engine in place had to cut one pipe on both headers but at least it's in the right place . Just got to fab up some engine mounts

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

[QUOTE=Shaky;6785408]My bad for not looking more closely. This is a lot more custom...

Also - how do you do any work in that "hallway"?[/QUOTE
:waah::waah::waah: .......... You have no idea what we have as space to work in I am lucky I have a garage plus the carport and off street parking for four cars out front .
Most houses in England if they have one off street parking space that's a great selling point . Space is at a premium

Most rodders would kill for the space I have

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...psb4d613b3.jpg


Go look in my build thread to get a better idea of the space I have to work in.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=611614


:chevy: :chevy: :chevy:

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

That's not a Small Block Chevy. That looks more like a Pontiac engine.

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

It came out of a Chevy Caprice it's a 307 and I believe they used the olds engine in the caprice wagon . Here are the details of the car the engine came from

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...ps01654a78.jpg
The TH350 box is a BOP stud pattern . I am sure someone on here will be able to tell me

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

Yes thats a Oldsmobile 307, all the 86-90 Caprice wagons were built with that engine only. 140hp, very gutless.

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

Thanks for confirming it's an olds 307 but as it's a low mileage v8 it was to good an option over here not to get . It came with a dominator inlet manifold four barrel Rochester carb Moroso rocker covers all ancillaries and headman headers .
But the best part was being able to here it running before removing it from the truck they had put it in

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...psa775e982.jpg

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

The frame brackets are the same for the 63-66 trucks; the only ones that are different are the right/passenger side mounts for the 292. Anything forward from that position is homemade/modified, and you'll have to mess with everything else hooked up to it if you do move it forward.

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

Here is a small block Chevy 307 its a 68 I do believe.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...m/DSCN1553.jpg

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

Basically fitting an Olds engine is going to require you to custom build the mounts. You could have issues with the oil pan not allowing you to lower the engine low enough to allow your trans to clear the cab floor. If that is the case, you are going to have to cut and weld the floor to fit.

If you were using a SBC, you could buy everything to allow it to bolt in without mods but you're going to have to do a full custom fab job to make this work.

On a side note, I never knew that GM used Olds blocks in Chevy vehicles. Learn something new. :D

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

Thanks for all the info . I managed to install the engine nice and low . No need to cut the cab bulkhead or floor . Did have to cut the headers though one pipe on each side will need to be re configured

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...ps3c1312ba.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...ps8304711d.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...psed7a066d.jpg

Any thing is possible with a welder and a grinder

Re: Aaaarrrghh!!! Fitting a Chevy Caprice 307/TH350 combo to '65 Long Fleetside??
 

My buddy had a '77 Delta 88 that came from the factory with a small block chevy, but this is the first one I've seen the other way around...