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How To Swap A Gen III Into A '64-'72 A-Body - Part I

1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Measuring For Drive Shaft
To get the driveshaft built,... 
   
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1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Measuring For Drive Shaft
To get the driveshaft built, you will need to know the distance from the rear face of the engine block (or the face of the bellhousing if it's a stick) to the centerline of the front U-joint. The El Camino is on the lift for the photo. For the measurement, the weight of the car needs to be on the wheels.
1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Measuring From The U Joint
The second measurement is... 
   
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1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Measuring From The U Joint
The second measurement is from the centerline of the front U-joint to the centerline of the rear U-joint.
1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Measing The Bearing Cap
The last measurement is for... 
   
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1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Measing The Bearing Cap
The last measurement is for the type of U-joint you will be using. Measure the bearing cap and the overall width of the U-joint to determine the one you will need. Our factory 10-bolt uses a 1310.
1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Making 4L60e Transmission Fit
The 4L60E is slightly too... 
   
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1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Making 4L60e Transmission Fit
The 4L60E is slightly too large for the transmission tunnel on the '64-'67 A-body. Keisler includes a template to clearance the stock floor for the new transmission. Hit the template on the spot marked with an X. Only about 1/2 to 3/4 inch of clearance was needed around the bolt-hole bosses.
1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Cutting For Powerglide
This is the stock crossmember... 
   
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1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Cutting For Powerglide
This is the stock crossmember for the Powerglide. To make it work on the 4L60E, we cut about 2 inches off the transmission-mount perch.
1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Added New Engine Perch
We used a new perch from Keisler... 
   
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1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Added New Engine Perch
We used a new perch from Keisler and welded it to the crossmember after test-fitting it with the transmission bolted to the engine on a tranny jack.
1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Welded Perch On
This was the only thing we... 
   
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1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Welded Perch On
This was the only thing we had to fabricate (if you want to call it that). We used a home-garage-friendly Miller 140 Auto Set welder that automatically sets the speed and amperage based on the thickness of the metal. Or you can take it out to a muffler shop.
1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Crossmember Too Short
Because we moved the crossmember... 
   
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1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Crossmember Too Short
Because we moved the crossmember toward the rear of the car, the original perch is not long enough. Keisler included a bracket that essentially connects the crossmember to the original perch in its new position. We are likely going to weld the new bracket into place on the frame.
1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Adding Driveshaft
Using the correct measurements... 
   
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1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Adding Driveshaft
Using the correct measurements and new crossmember location, the driveshaft slid into place.
1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Driveshaft Fit
The driveshaft worked with... 
   
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1964 Chevy El Camino Engine Swap Driveshaft Fit
The driveshaft worked with the stock 10-bolt. We are going to buy new straps and bolts before we hit the road.

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