i have a 1951 suburban that i learned to drive in about 1962(age 10) around the farm..it has been restored frame off  about 10 yrs ago using about a 1954 6 cylinder(original was seized) with a 3 speed manual column shift and has the enclosed driveshaft.the bell housing has side mts that go into a x/member ..it is 6 volt with a foot starter... i have purchased a gm crate engine(fast burn 385 turn key).. i am trying to decide if that goes into my 65 acadian canso(nova) and use the rebuilt 283 2 bbl that it has to go in the suburban.or put the 385 in the burb. i want to take my son (16) on route 66 next yr and want to make the suburban more road friendly by putting in  a v8 and adding a/c & possibley p/strg and power disc brakes.. i would like to retain the original trans if possible cause changing that out means driveshaft & rear diff as well.. any advise would be greatly appreciated..thx..gord  

Just getting finished with putting power steereing and disc brakes on my panel, got the parts from CPP, bolted right on with not much trouble! You're gonna need to change the steering column and only the stock exhaust manifolds will work.
Stick with the 283, that stroker motor is waaaaay to much motor for that gearbox, you'll be picking up pieces off the ground if you do!I've been using that same 283 with a turbo 350 trans for years now, will get that truck around just fine!
Think about a small four barrel carb and intake, you will get a little better gas milage (if ya keep your foot out of it!)  

The 4:11 gears are going to hold you back.  They are not highway friendly over 55 although there are still a lot of guys using that combo.  Patricks sells a 3:55 kit that replaces the 4:11 and still retains the closed driveshaft.