'63 230 to 283 swap question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

greenmtnboy · 10-25-2006, 03:13 PM

I am going to be attempting a 1 weekend engine swap on my '63 C10. It is currently all stock with a 230 3 on the tree manual. I have 60's 283 with the clutch pivot boss. besides the obvious engine accesories what else is different? specific things I am unsure of are:
Motor mounts
Flywheel
Clutch linkage(mechanical)
Throttle linkage? I have a stock 19?? 2bbl carb and intake to use.
Will centerdump blockhugers work?
Radiator...I have a brand new 6cyl rad in it now....can I get by till summer?
I'm looking to get this done with as few trips to the junkyard or parts store as possible. Any help with "must have v8 truck parts" or advice is greatly appreciated.

60-66 Nut · 10-25-2006, 04:49 PM

Should be a very easy swap. The motor mounts and flywheel from the 230 will bolt right up to the 283, just make sure you put a pilot bushing in the crankshaft. The clutch linkage should fit fine, but you may have to find a screw-in linkage ball since most of them were welded to the bracket on the sixes. The ball will need to screw into the forward hole on the 283. Throttle linkage should work, but it may not open the carb quite all the way, the V8 trucks had a longer arm on the firewall. I ran a 327 with the six cylinder radiator and had no major problems. The only time it would run warm was if I would idle it too long because I did not have a shroud and the fan was pretty far from the radiator. As for the manifolds, if you're talking about the old "ram's horn" center dumps they should fit fine. I think some of the newer style manifolds that pass under the spark plugs may interfere with the engine mount frame brackets. Hope that helps.

60-66 Nut

greenmtnboy · 10-26-2006, 09:40 AM

Thanks Nut. That is the info I was looking for.
I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

Ponchodon · 10-28-2006, 09:31 PM

GMB, it's a piece of cake swap! I just finished putting a late model (89 or 90) 350 in my '63, replacing the 230. Had to do a little more work in the clutch area, as I have a T-4, 5 speed and the 350 had no provisions for the clutch ball. Just drilled and tapped the block, the original stuff all worked. Anyhow, it's running and driving now, with power steering and A/C, and I couldn't be happier with the swap.

greenmtnboy · 10-30-2006, 01:01 PM

Thanks for the reply Poncho. It should be relatively easy in the grand scheme
of things. I was just looking for anything that may suprise us. We are trying to keep "farm fresh" look going under the hood if at all possible.

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10-25-2006, 03:13 PM	#1
greenmtnboy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Marietta Ga. Posts: 32	'63 230 to 283 swap question I am going to be attempting a 1 weekend engine swap on my '63 C10. It is currently all stock with a 230 3 on the tree manual. I have 60's 283 with the clutch pivot boss. besides the obvious engine accesories what else is different? specific things I am unsure of are: Motor mounts Flywheel Clutch linkage(mechanical) Throttle linkage? I have a stock 19?? 2bbl carb and intake to use. Will centerdump blockhugers work? Radiator...I have a brand new 6cyl rad in it now....can I get by till summer? I'm looking to get this done with as few trips to the junkyard or parts store as possible. Any help with "must have v8 truck parts" or advice is greatly appreciated.

10-25-2006, 04:49 PM	#2
60-66 Nut Professional Beer Tester Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 453	Re: '63 230 to 283 swap question Should be a very easy swap. The motor mounts and flywheel from the 230 will bolt right up to the 283, just make sure you put a pilot bushing in the crankshaft. The clutch linkage should fit fine, but you may have to find a screw-in linkage ball since most of them were welded to the bracket on the sixes. The ball will need to screw into the forward hole on the 283. Throttle linkage should work, but it may not open the carb quite all the way, the V8 trucks had a longer arm on the firewall. I ran a 327 with the six cylinder radiator and had no major problems. The only time it would run warm was if I would idle it too long because I did not have a shroud and the fan was pretty far from the radiator. As for the manifolds, if you're talking about the old "ram's horn" center dumps they should fit fine. I think some of the newer style manifolds that pass under the spark plugs may interfere with the engine mount frame brackets. Hope that helps. 60-66 Nut __________________ 60 Ford F100 Custom Cab 61 Apache Short Fleetside 64 C10 Short Stepside 65 C80 409 V8 5spd(X-Firetruck) 83 GMC 350 Olds Diesel 85 GMC Short Bed 86 GMC Short Bed 90 GMC R3500 Crew Cab 92 GMC 1500

10-26-2006, 09:40 AM	#3
greenmtnboy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Marietta Ga. Posts: 32	Re: '63 230 to 283 swap question Thanks Nut. That is the info I was looking for. I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

10-28-2006, 09:31 PM	#4
Ponchodon Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: OKC Posts: 9	Re: '63 230 to 283 swap question GMB, it's a piece of cake swap! I just finished putting a late model (89 or 90) 350 in my '63, replacing the 230. Had to do a little more work in the clutch area, as I have a T-4, 5 speed and the 350 had no provisions for the clutch ball. Just drilled and tapped the block, the original stuff all worked. Anyhow, it's running and driving now, with power steering and A/C, and I couldn't be happier with the swap.

10-30-2006, 01:01 PM	#5
greenmtnboy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Marietta Ga. Posts: 32	Re: '63 230 to 283 swap question Thanks for the reply Poncho. It should be relatively easy in the grand scheme of things. I was just looking for anything that may suprise us. We are trying to keep "farm fresh" look going under the hood if at all possible.[/IMG]



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