Swap inline 6 for v8 65 chevy short bed fleetside

Hi All,

I'm looking for advice on an engine swap. I want to pull the inline 6 and drop some sort of v8 in the truck but I do not want to deal with replacing the three on the tree tranny nor rear or shaft at this time. Can anyone recommend what might be my best v8 option for a simple drop and bolt in?  

Any older model SBC will fit . I pulled the 230 L6 from my '65 C10 and replaced it with a 1967 283 . I used the original bell housing , clutch , motor mounts ,clutch linkage , starter , alternator ,wiring harness ,flywheel ( had it turned ),and radiator  ( Had it recored because it was already leaking ) . I'm probably forgetting something ? I say older SBC because about 1986 ( I believe ) they changed the crankshafts which requires a different style flywheel .There are many of the older style engines ( up to and including the 350 ) which can be used ! Even the BBC will fit with a bit of work for clearance and an upgrade to the tranny and rear end . The reason I chose the 283 was because it was in great shape at a great price  .The PO pulled it from a 1967 Chevelle convertible and replaced it with a BBC ! Yes , I still have the 3 on the tree . Since the original bell housing is used , it stays in it's original position bolted to the original crossmember . I went to Autozone and bought a new lower radiator hose ( which they had in stock ) and looked through their inventory till I found a ribbed ( universal ) hose which fit the upper just fine . You will have to get a pivot ball for the clutch linkage as the one on the original 6 cylinder can't be used because of the way it is made . No big problem as I'm sure you won't have a problem finding one for it in a junk yard or do what I did - ordered one from LMC trucks along with the needed pieces that make up the complete unit . The pieces were inexpensive and really are worth replacing . It really is a pretty simple swap as the V8 was an option in the trucks .Good luck and if I can be of any further help , just ask . If you don't have a LMC catalog , log onto their web site and they will send you one free . Of course , there are many other vendors which stock these items but since I dealt with LMC , they are the ones I mentioned but certainly not the only ones out there . Again , Good luck !  

IIRC, Classic Trucks did a feature a few years back, called "6-pack to go".  There was something different about the L-6 vs V-8 flywheel, but I don't remember what.

You might have to do some searching to get the right clutch ball.  Some were just a ball stud that screwed in to the block, others were a plate that spanned the boltholes, with the ball stub in between.

I can tell you that a big block will fit, with a small amount of firewall 'massaging', for valve cover clearance.  I used Hedman Tight Tubes headers, and a Speedway aluminum radiator. Now, they offer a dual pass, which is what I have, for my '49.  
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1949 Chevy 1 1/2ton, home-built hydraulic wrecker.  Rustoleum industrial black, with flames.  Flamethrowers out 5" dual stacks.
1962 Chevy C-20, 402BB, 4-speed, 3.90 positrack. Hauls my camper.... among other things.
Kaiser M35A Deuce, 4x4 4 wheel steering *work in progress*

just did swap bolted right up to my granny 4 speed. i had a 292 so i got both frame mounts for a v8 and used it and bored out the rubber mount and it fell in. driver side should be ok like mine. the clutch pivot ball was purchased from lmc. (only one they offer) your eng. will be back a lil' bit but hei will work if you take the cap off and then stab it in. 283 small block came with same clutch/flywheel etc, so keep it replace that stuff anyway. post was helpful so i did it old or not. save money live long