This is very preliminary info I'm seeking here since I haven't even bought the truck yet.

I've been itching for a 65 Chevy pickup for a while, but part of the plan is to repower it with a 6BT. I prefer the 1/2 ton trucks and I know I'll have to upgrade the front suspension, but I'm not worried about that since I'm pretty good with a TIG.

So, my logic goes like this; since a search showed me that a 6BT has been pretty successfully done to replace a 6.2/6.5, and since the 6.2/6.5 was designed to basically swap in place of GM V8s, it stands to reason that there should be a good chance its similarly easy to put one in a 65. Anyone know of any links or of anyone who has done it? I don't mind a little cut and paste but would like to keep it pretty simple.

Like I said, this is pretty premature. I'm just gathering info to see how badly I want a 65 chevy pickup. I might just go with a 6.2 to keep it simple, but a cummins sure would be preferred.

 

Sure .....

 

I would think you would have frame problems. Heavy engine and a fair amount of torque to handle for an old 1/2 ton frame.

 

Should be as easy as swapping into any other Chevy.

Front suspension was the same from 1960-1987, so just bolt on C30 stuff.

They were designed for big 6's..........

 

But yea, a 6BT would twist even a later model frame like a pretzel........so figure on beefing it up.

 

It is a tight fit going into the 64-66 body. You will have to massage the firewall for the exhaust to fit. If you go with a 16cm housing it is shorter and you won't have to push the firewall back as far. Can't speak much about the frame but I wouldn't even think about putting it in a half ton. Are you thinking intercooled or non intercooled?

 

Looking at the area behind the grille, I think there is plenty of room for an intercooler, even with pushing the rad forward to clear the 6... so intercooled.

Those years of chevy used the same ladder frame for 1/2 ton all the way up through 1-ton. The main difference up front was control arms, springs, and spindles/brakes, so beefing it up isn't an issue I'd worry about.

I'm also not going to be building a black-smoke-churning 1200hp 6BT for it, I'm looking at a little additional fuel, mabye in the 300-400 hp area.

 

Keep in mind that the Cummins is a long motor compared to the V8s so you may have to lose the mechanical fan. I think that it can be done since I'm planning to do one too but like doznfire said, it'll take some firewall massaging among other things. Remember that the stock heater box and turbo will probably want to share the same space. You'll also want to upgrade to power brakes, maybe even discs depending on your plans.

Anything is possible if you're willing to throw enough time and money at it because it sure won't be plug and play.

 

If you're just wanting the 1/2 ton w/o doing lots of beefing up, consider a 4bt in it. Should be an easier fit I'd think and you can buy a Fritos truck with the 4bt already connected to a TH400.

 

If it's a play truck the frame and suspension will be fine. There's a big difference in the strength needed between a tow rig and a play toy.

 

I am running the radiator from the 292 6 cylinder that was in the 66. I had a new core put in it that was alot taller than stock. You can run the mechanical fan also. You will have to custom build the motor mounts. The heater box gets tossed also. The cab had to be raised to get the motor where I wanted it. These motors are taller than the old sixs also. The old power brake set-ups are not good that great to run with disc brakes, ask me how I know

 

You hit the nail on the head with this one

 

Yeah, but if you are gonna stick 1,000-1100 lbs in there with all the torque you're gonna kick yourself if you have to pull it out and start over a year down the road.

 

If it were a play truck, I wouldn't be considering a 6BT swap. This will be a daily driver that occasionally will tow 5000 lbs or so. Just to give you an idea of my background, I run a hotrod shop where I do things like engineer frames for 32 A's that can take the twist of a blown big block, so while I appreciate the concern, do me a favor and assume for a moment that I can handle the chassis part of this swap.

I also am still wondering why you are all so concerned about the frame. The frames are the same with the exception of one crossmember in front of the rear axle that is additional on the 3/4 and 1-ton trucks. Why are you all so concerned about twisting a frame?

No worries on a heater box. I live in TX and I have a good coat

 

if you check the thickness of the frame and the size of the channel it is probably built heavier than anything now. dad's old 60 chev would haul a pallet of fert. and it was only a half ton short box. coarse the wheels kept busting out until he found some split rims. folks had big bumpers , winches and snow plows over the years to about anything and run them without to much issue. and i understand the torq on the frame issue add a xmember and sleep well. always love that early iron.