Land Cruiser V8 engine conversions are extremely popular due to the cost and availability of stock GM engine parts. The components covered in this section are for retaining the stock transmission. These components are offered individually or as a conversion kit. To properly select the adapters for your conversion, make sure you have identified the stock transmission in your vehicle.
RETAINING THE STOCK 3 SPEED TRANSMISSION:
The original 3 speed transmission is 8-1/2” in length. With very little difficulty, this transmission can be adapted. The kits work in conjunction with a stock GM bellhousing. The Chevy bellhousing should have a small index diameter of 4.686” in the back of the bellhousing to achieve proper alignment to the Toyota 3 speed. The adapter plates for this 3 speed should not be used with the larger 5-1/8” index diameter bore bellhousing. If the smaller bellhousing indexes are not available, you can purchase a reducer ring (P/N 716041) that will reduce a Chevy large indexed bellhousing to the proper index diameter.
These transmissions were offered in both column and floor shifted models. In order to use the original 3 speed transmission, you must have a floor shifter because the column shift mechanism will not have sufficient clearance between the new engine and firewall. The floor shifter stick will need to be slightly modified for clearance beneath the heater. If your transmission is column shifted, you will need to change the transmission top cover over to a floor shifter style. Conversions using the GM 292 in-line 6 cylinder engine will not require a new floor shifter.
To obtain the proper firewall clearance, the transmission and transfer case assembly will need to be relocated a minimum of 3-1/2” forward. On many of these applications, you have the option of reversing the driveshafts (front to rear, rear to front); however, the Chevy V8 distributor will be forced into the firewall and modifications will be required.
The adapter kit for the Chevy conversions come complete with an adapter spacer plate, custom retainer, pilot bushing, oil seal, and necessary hardware.
ADVANCE ADAPTERS -Chevy V8 conversion kit 713028-EK:
(These kit consist of the following items which are also available individually.)
- 712523 - Bhsg. adapter plate
- 713124 - Motor mounts
- 716022 - Crossmember
- 716023 - Temperature bushing
- 716024 - T/C pivot shifter
- 716176 - GM release arm
- 716287 - Slave cylinder brkt.
- 716316 - Release bearing
(For the recommended clutch requirements, refer to the Clutch Components section of this manual)
We also carry the Mark’s 4WD bellhousing adapter that can be used against the original Land Cruiser 3 speed bellhousing. Their bellhousing adapter will permit the original 3 speed and transfer case to remain in their original location, eliminating the need for the 3 speed floor shifter conversion. The Mark’s bellhousing adapters for the Chevy application consist of a new adapter housing that is approximately 4-7/8” thick and bolts directly to the front side of the original Land Cruiser bellhousing. This added length provides an ideal engine location and only requires engine mounts for the side of the new V8 engine. The rear crossmember support is eliminated since the original Land Cruiser bellhousing supports are maintained.
NOTE: Due to the short length of the 3 speed transmission along with the new bellhousing mount supplied in the kit, we have had a couple of instances where interference occurred between the front driveshaft and bellhousing mount. A modification to the bellhousing mount was required to achieve proper clearance. Other considerations included, a longer slave cylinder hose to mount the slave cylinder to the passengers side of the bellhousing, removal or modifications to the transfer case linkage gating, and slight floorboard modifications.
MARK’S 4WD ADAPTORS MARK’S 4WD ADAPTORS -
Chevy V8 conversion kit 713025-EK
Chevy Gen III conversion bellhousing 713027-EK