Need Help Deciding on an Engine

[chuckchili]

At first, I wanted to put a Chevy 5.3 in my truck and I am beginning to think I those are a little too spendy and involve too much extra work for me. What is a good combo to put in my 66? I was thinking of just a run of the mill rebuilt Chevy 350/ TH400 but I am not sure what transfer case I should use. (My front diff is on the passenger side.) I think I would like a 401 but I understand people don't really like to part with those. I am looking for something that is relatively inexpensive and relatively easy to put in. I know I am a newbie but I am unready getting sick of seeing my truck in the garage instead of out on the road. Any help would be appreciated.

[Justin Kerns]

Here ya go:
http://denver.craigslist.org/pts/821750598.html

[chuckchili]

That one's sold already :(

[Gambler68]

I forget what you have IN it already, it wasn't a 327 was it? I'd just pick up a rotted FSJ body and swap the drivetrain over, get an auto and do a tranny hump shifter. Motor mounts and tranny mounts are more or less a direct bolt in. Might have to have driveshafts made or should be able to buy used ones that will fit. I imagine a 70's GM/Chevy 350/350/?? (tc) would drop in too as they came with pass side drops.

shoot I'd roll the front of the truck up on blocks/ramps, with the entire drivetrain on the ground, lower the truck down with a highlift, and hoist/jack the drivetrain up, and start bolting the amc crap in there. :thumbsup: One person job that way.

[tgreese]

Tell us what drivetrain you have now.

[chuckchili]

I have no drivetrain. My truck is empty :D . I started with a 232/ T-18/ Dana 20 but all that stuff is gone. Hope that helps people who wanted to give ideas.

[tgreese]

You're pretty much wide open then. Look around for a vehicle to grab everything from. Ideally you want passenger side drop if you want to keep your axles.

[Jim Blair]

Pre '88 Chev (unless you find a 1 ton that was RHD till @'93) or do like I have for my '76 J10 with J20 axles. My 304 (from '77 AMX with 999, then into my '73 J4000 with unipattern TH400/QT, now with '88 GW727 and 1986 DODGE NP208 from a Ramcharger, which is mirror image of the Jeep ones '80 and newer) with RHD NP208 (the Dodge one bolted directly onto the Jeep 727 from a Dodge 727)