VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc 1966 250 swap into a 1960 Impala

I have both vehicles. The 1966 Bel Air is running and driving but after further investigating, the frame is too unsafe. Totally gone in some spots. I was going to just use this car as a cool driver but it seems like I'm just stuck with drivetrain.

So my here is my question. My 1960 Impala is a 283 car with only the 3 speed tranny left. Engine is long gone. Can I swap the 250 I6 in without alot of headaches? Which tranny should I use, the 3 speed Bel Air or the 3 speed in the Impala. I am planning on getting a correct engine to put into it, just wondering if this could be a stopgap since I have the 250.

My uncle has a 1965 that I possibly could do a frame swap with......is that worth it for a 4 door base sedan?

I will let others offer guidance about the engine and transmission swap into the 1960.

I will offer that the frame swap will probably not go well. If the frame on the ‘66 is that bad I doubt if the body is in decent enough condition to survive the transfer. This is assuming that the mounting points are the same which I cannot verify.

Even if the ‘66 body is in good enough condition and will fit the ‘65 frame the economics are very unfavorable, especially for a 4 door sedan. So if you make the swap do it because it is what you want to do.

There were changes made to the 1966 frame and may not be a direct swap
I think you will be wasting your time with these swaps.

I was thinking that saving the 1966 was going to be a lost cause. Its just too bad with the sentimental value it has with my wife, and it would have been nice to have it for a driver. I think what I'll do is park it out back and deal with it in the spring when the snow melts. Maybe pull the 250 and trans out of it or just sell it complete as a running parts car. I don't think it pays either to do an intermediate engine swap into the 1960 Impala when the end play is to find a 283 for it like it originally had. Now the hunt begins for a 1960 283!!!!