Hi. I'm Dave and new to the forum.
I need information on changing out a six cyl 235 with a V8 265 in a 56 chevy 3100.
The 265 is quite a bit shorter than the six cyl and I see where there are holes in the front crossmember that are the same size as the engine mount holes for the six cyl and appear to be the same distance apart as the 265 mounts.
The problem with these holes is the they are apx two to three inches forward of the six cyl holes.
This would locate the bellhousing around six to eight inches forward of where the original was. Also, the bellhousing I was planning to use is from a car and has two mounting holes on each side and the truck crossmember is designed to take a bellhousing with one hole on each side.
I would like to keep the truck as original as possible but I know some adjustments have to be made.
Any help would be greatly appreicated.
Dave  

Dave, you are kind of over-thinking this. Saying that you want to keep it as original as possible and then adapting car parts isn't any better (as in stocker)than just hanging the stock V8 truck front perch type motor-mounts used on 265, 283, and most 327 and then hooking it up with tubular crossmember under the tranny. This is a very easy swap, and its been done a million times  

Hi John,
Thanks for the advice.
I should have said “original looking”.
I like the nostalgic look of the front mount engines and want it to be in the proper location under the hood.
Dave  

Dave,

Yeah I agree the front-mounted perches are a tasty nostalgic touch. Find some stock front mounts, plug-in the engine to the right holes (look at another truck to see where if need be) and then sling a custom rear crosmember in place. All you will have left is to plug in the right length driveshaft.  

Sounds good.
Thanks.
Dave  

Hey Dave! I have the original front frame mounts that you need to position your 265 in the proper location, and also have the correct bellhousing for your truck, if you're planning to put a manual shift transmission in it. Get back to me on this site if you're interested. Smurf  

Hello Smurf,
I am planning to use the original three speed and would definately be interested in your parts.
Post a reply or e-mail me at dellswor@nbnet.nb.ca.
Thanks,
Dave  

Yo Dave! Smurf here. I have the original frame mounts that were riveted to the backside of the front crossmember, also the cast iron bellhousing, with the clutchfork. I think I also have the foot starter pedal that bolts to the bellhousing. Not sure if I have the clutch linkage and bellcrank or not. I'm in the YOUNGSTOWN< OHIO area. get back to me on this site if you still need this stuff, and I'll give you my daytime phone no. to call, We'll talk price then. Don't worry, you won't have to rob the bank to pay for them. Smurf  

Smurf, hello again,
Anything you have that will make this swap go easy will be appreicated. Send me your number and I'll give you a call.
It's hard to find any trucks around here (New Brunswick, Canada) that I can use for reference.
Thanks, Dave  

Dave,

The last time I was in New Brunswick there was a ton of trucks like yours... of course that was in 1957 and I was 5-years old. Anyways Smurf is a good dude, he'll help you out.  

John,
The average lifespan of a truck of them years would have probably been around ten years and at that point the bodywork would be unimaginable. I owned a 1972 Chevy in 1977 and had to replace the rocker panels and patch up the quarter panels and floor. I had a 1990 full size Jimmy that I was patching my patches after it was ten years old.
Dave  

Yo Dave! Smurf here. My shop number is 1-330-549-5134 I'm there from 3:00 to 9:30 PM on Wednesdays. 8:30 to 5:30 Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri.  Saturdays are kinda hit and miss. I'll round up what I have, that you're gonna need, tomorrow so when you call We can talk money according to what I have. Don't know if you would be interested, but I also have a 1957, 283cu. in. engine for rebuilding. Let me know.  Smurf  

Hello Smurf,
Got off night shift yesterday morning and made it to the post office today to pick up a money order.
Should be there in a few days.
Checked out your pics online. Very cool!
Have a great Xmas and happy new year.