Big Block Swapped 1963 Chevy C10!

[@RiggsGarage]

Thanks for all the support! If you’re enjoying my videos and you would like to help out so that I can make even better videos, check out the link below! www.paypal.me/RiggsGarage

[@maggs131]

When i first got into these trucks about 7 years ago patina was an unpopular look and back then i agreed. FF to today and ive come full circle and love patina trucks. Real patina anyway, none of that faux bs. You can drive this beauty and not worry about dings and scrapes. 🤘😎

[@RiggsGarage]

Exactly! I would feel bad painting this truck. And if I painted it, it needs every panel replaced 😂 so that's not ever happening. Thanks for watching!

[@williamlaraway5142]

Fuckin love this thing!! I like that it has actually rust and it’s not fake patina surface rust

[@RiggsGarage]

Thank you! Yeah, I'm not into the fake patina, although, I may patch in some steel for the fenders and rockers and attempt some "patina" to blend in with the rest on those patches.

[@slowshedgarage7409]

Nice ol" truck. I'd love to see more of the Budget Builds. I can relate more. I got a green 59 Apache hopefully I'll have some videos on soon.

[@RiggsGarage]

Thanks! I am going to have full build for the 1970 Mustang fastback - it's definitely a budget build, check out a couple videos I released earlier on that. Should be another out late this week or early next week. I'd love to see the 59 apache, those are great trucks

[@averystewart1017]

Gr8 Truck..mean stance!😎

[@RiggsGarage]

Thanks! About to pull it out of sad storage and make some jam with it. Th400, set up for the strip and street.

[@trashman1694]

Sweet truck project, hope to see more of it

[@RiggsGarage]

More coming soon. Any special requests?

[@chicharocastelan8917]

Very nice truck 👌

[@RiggsGarage]

Thanks!

[@Jessesquarebodytube]

Dude I love it as is!!! So sick!!

[@RiggsGarage]

Thanks! It's really fun. Kind of planning out phase 2 with a Muncie 4-speed, a hotter Cam and some heads

[@alistairsgarage7857]

Awesome truck man. I'm actually dropping a 454 in my 63 c10 long bed stepside

[@RiggsGarage]

Thanks! Have fun with it, it's not too bad, and big blocks are just cool.

[@RiggsGarage]

Here's a video I just made showing what I did on my engine swap, hopefully it helps! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYe6h4uiqt-Uisk

[@lamarcusbrown1417]

Sweet old ride. Love the setup.

[@RiggsGarage]

Thanks Lamarc

[@prostreetdtx5702]

love this truck awesome job

[@RiggsGarage]

Thanks!

[@boneal4942]

It’s perfect 👍

[@RiggsGarage]

Thanks for watching. Hoping to get the wrenches turning on it again next week

[@ApostleDavids8w]

Sweet I’m working on a 62 c10 I’m stuck on the transmission because I wanted 4L80e because of overdrive and it can handle the 8.1 496 I’m finishing up. But the trans is to far gone needs rebuilt. So I have a 350 turbo that’s in good shape came out of a 80 3/4 ton van. I like to put a shift kit int. And BM shifter and torque converter. Or keep it simple with a Manuel

[@RiggsGarage]

That sounds great! Got any videos up or photos up on instagram?

[@ApostleDavids8w]

No not yet I like to though. Don’t know much about Instagram.

[@ApostleDavids8w]

The SM465 would be.a lot cheaper and easier to find than a 4 speed Muncie.

[@RiggsGarage]

@@ApostleDavids8w yeah, but it's literally a dump truck trans....indestructible but horrible gear ratios and slow shifting...save for a muncie m21 or something if you don't want an automatic would be my thoughts!

[@emilsunter3596]

Dave vonAnderseck Hello my friend, I’m getting ready to drop a 8.1/4L85e from an 02 Suburban. The engine and transmission had only 75k miles on them and when I pulled the pans, both looked very very clean. I originally bought the combo to drop into a 79 Short Bed C-10, but I found a 90% rust free, and 99% complete, 61 Short Bed Apache Fleetside, for a price that I couldn’t pass up. My questions to you are; 1) Is the 8.1/L85e swap going to be too difficult? As far as fitment? 2) Will I have to Notch the Frame? 3) Do you have any recommendations on Exhaust (Headers type, or Stock Manifolds) 4) Is the X-Frame and Torsion Bars going to be an issue? And should I switch to a 63 and later Front Suspension? Possibly 3/4 ton Suspension for weight issues? 5) What are you doing for fuel delivery? I’d rather not have a tank surface mounted in the bed. And I’d prefer an in tank fuel pump. Though I’m not opposed to the Edelbrock Universal F.I Firewall mounted Sump Kit (I have a friend running it on a mildly modified 400+hp 5.7 LS, in a 72 C-10, with no issues for the past year). And finally 6) What did you use for Motor Mounts? Any particular brand you would recommend or any Factory Mounts work? There really isn’t a lot of info on the 8.1. My 61 was originally a 4spd Truck so I have a high hump floor, and I have access to a Welder and fabrication skills, so I can make it fit. But, this is my first time working on a 60-66 C-10. And I really don’t know anything about them. The 8.1/L85e, into the Square Body, is pretty straight forward. I really want the 8.1 Combo for the ‘coolness’ I ain’t gonna lie. I also have a 6.0/4L80e combo as well as a 5.3/4L65e. I’ve bought these Engine and Transmission combos for my three projects for my kids-8.1/L85e for the 79 C-10, 6.0/L80e for the 73 SS Chevelle, and the 5.3/L65e, that I recently picked up to put into the 79 C-10, perhaps with a Turbo, to take the sting out of me commandeering the 8.1 for my project. Back to my 61, the previous owner had a 67 327 with a Close Ratio Saginaw 4spd out of a 67 SS Camaro in the truck. So I’m sure the 6.0/L80e would be the easiest fit, but as I said, I want the coolness of 500 ft lbs in the sickest designed GM Series of trucks. Any information you’d be willing to share with me would be so greatly appreciated! And I’m sorry for the long winded message to you. You can see that I’m very excited about this project. I hope your project goes smoothly. Thanks in advance!

[@RedEyedPatriot]

I've got 1960 c20 apache stake bed cammed 235i6 with split headers 4speed...swapping a 454 and 400turbo I just finished building into it soon

[@RiggsGarage]

Awesome! Link me up some IG pics or something, I'd love to see it

[@RedEyedPatriot]

@@RiggsGarage @michaelc.broughton

[@RiggsGarage]

Got it

[@RiggsGarage]

Here's a video I just made showing what I did on my engine swap, hopefully it helps Michael! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYe6h4uiqt-Uisk

[@mustanggarland24]

Freaking beautiful bro

[@RiggsGarage]

Thanks!

[@matt_1969ChevyC1o]

Awesome truck. Make sure to fix that power steering reservoir line so it's not bent over and kinked

[@RiggsGarage]

Thanks! Yeah that remote resivoir is on the list of stuff to fix next

[@Inthegarage685]

I have a stepside short bed 1964 with a 5.3 LS and 4L60e

[@RiggsGarage]

That's a great combo, more reliable than this one haha

[@joshmazour3256]

What headers did you use? Have to notch the frame? Installing a 454 in my 64 C10 w/ original 6cyl and three on the tree

[@RiggsGarage]

Hey there, I used 73-87 hooker super competition headers. Notched frame for sure. I had to cut a tube and mod those headers to fit the manual transmission z bar. Let me know if you have other questions!

[@RiggsGarage]

Here's a video I just made showing what I did on my engine swap, hopefully it helps! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYe6h4uiqt-Uisk

[@carlarnold3969]

@@RiggsGarage I'm guessing these headers are for trucks?

[@RiggsGarage]

@@carlarnold3969 yes sir, headers for 73 to 87 Chevy trucks

[@michaelhammond4135]

Hell yes.

[@smitty8190]

Hell yea it looks good, do some flyby videos and maybe do a review video of the truck all around. pretend you bought it new. go through the build quality and things you like and dislike

[@RiggsGarage]

Hey thanks for watching! I'm buttoning up a couple things, that's a great idea. Thinking burnouts, driving footage, drone shots, etc. Always thinking about what to shoot next.

[@smitty8190]

@@RiggsGarage Do whatever you got time for man, ill watch whatever you release on your truck.

[@mark5251993]

@@smitty8190 me too I love the truck

[@reedgregory8420]

I also have a 63 gmc and I also have a 454 ,witch year headers did you use

[@RiggsGarage]

Hooker super competition for 73-87. I have another video that covers what all I used on the swap, those headers required modification to fit

[@williamhays1233]

Just put a 454 in my 65 gmc. It over heats bad can't even drive it 10 miles. Have 4 core aluminium radiator with elec fan. On my second fan and no difference. Looks like you are running stock rad. What rmtemps are you getting??

[@RiggsGarage]

Hey there, I run right on with the factory 454 195 deg thermostat. I WILL overheat if I get into traffic because I don't have a fan shroud, therefore poor airflow. That may very well be your issue too, an electric fan without a shroud can be fairly ineffective, I had that happen on my big block Charger. The shroud accelerated the air like a wind tunnel. Factory big block cars idled in traffic fine with the AC cranked and a good fan and shroud. Also, check your timing, that will overhead that thing too. Let me know what you find! Thanks for watching.

[@Inthegarage685]

Mine looks almost the same color as yours

[@RiggsGarage]

I'd love to see it!

[@Heisenberg_SRT]

Can you make a video how you converted it to power steering?

[@RiggsGarage]

I could, I can explain what I did here real fast. Need the power steering box / pitman and an adapter plate to bolt it to your frame - I got this from "Captainfab" off of the 1967-72 C10 forums - he makes all sorts of great adapters and swap parts. Just search his username in that forum and email him. You can use a power steering column, OR the original with an adapter (Also Captainfab) that fits on the end of the manual column to bolt to the power steering gearbox. Need the power steering steering linkage? I used the whole front clip from a 72 parts truck, so you'll need to piece the steering linkage together if you don't do that. Power steering pump and lines. Pretty straight forward if you have the right parts. Hope this helps!

[@Telephony954]

You can buy an adapter kit , that allows you to put a pwr. steering boc on your frame, you have to do a little drilling, and you have to adapt the steering shaft to the new box. you just go to the wrecking yard and get everything. there's some great articles around, just google them up. the kit cost 50.00 and the junk at the yard was 25 including box, pump with pulley brackets and hoses.

[@djpacheco8506]

hi how are you man. i have a question, what kind of motor mounts your using from what truck. thanks!

[@RiggsGarage]

Hey DJ - I am using the stock metal small block chevy mount towers, with stock small block chevy rubber mounts as well. I'll make a video on what I did soon

[@djpacheco8506]

@@RiggsGarage ok thank you very much.

[@RiggsGarage]

I posted a video with swap detail if you're still planning a swap!

[@mark5251993]

How did you make the SB brackets work are they in the original locations?

[@RiggsGarage]

Yes, the small block mounts are in the original locations

[@mark5251993]

@@RiggsGarage these are the brackets that are under the mounts that bolt to the frame and the motor mounts correct?

[@RiggsGarage]

@@mark5251993 Yep, the brackets that bolt to the frame AND the actual rubber motor mounts are stock small block. What transmission bellhousing are you using? Do you have a trans crossmember?

[@mark5251993]

@@RiggsGarage I am using a th400 I have the cross member that I can make work and I have the cross member from the 66 I was thinking about building a tab to mount the trans

[@RiggsGarage]

@@mark5251993 I'd browse the c10 forums for pics on that auto crossmember, I haven't done that on the trucks, sounds like you're on the right path!

[@mark5251993]

How much had to be changed to mount the 454 in the truck mounts? I have a nv3500 that I was planning to use

[@RiggsGarage]

Hey Mark, thanks for the comment. For this swap, I used the stock small block mount towers and stock 4 speed bellhousing and transmission crossmember. Used 73-87 hooker long tube headers and had to notch the truck frame around 3/4 inch each side. Are you running a manual clutch or hydraulic? Manual clutch requires manifolds or modifying these headers, which I had to do. Let me know!

[@mark5251993]

It's hydraulic. I'm trying to get it back on the road on the cheap it's my only vehicle.

[@mark5251993]

I'm hoping to use everything I already have clutch flywheel I know this may not be possible

[@mark5251993]

I love the video it reminds me a lot my truck mines a 66 long step side

[@RiggsGarage]

@@mark5251993 from what I know, in theory, you should be good with manifolds running your stock 66 mounts to the 454 with hydraulic setup. NV bell should bolt up and the clutch from that will work. I ordered a flywheel for the engine I used to make sure balance was correct - I have a 1986 454 from a 3/4 ton 2wd. You should be able to piece it together for really cheap, that's why I love Chevy

[@Telephony954]

great truck. what headers did you use?

[@RiggsGarage]

Thank you, I used 73-87 hooker super competition headers. The driver side needs modifications to clear manual transmission z bar. I'd recommend a hydraulic clutch setup or automatic trans

[@Telephony954]

Thank you. I've been sitting on a BBC for awhile, always wanted it on ol Crusty. Ill look for the headers. Thanks again.

[@RiggsGarage]

@@Telephony954 these headers do hang down pretty low so if you want to lower the truck I would do shorties or some sort of manifold honestly

[@Telephony954]

@@RiggsGarage i have lowered it with the drop spindles. may just use the stock manifolds, as I did retain them. Thanks again.