What engine came in a 1966 Chevy C10?
The 1966 Chevy C10 pickup truck was powered by a variety of engine options, but the most common and popular choice was the 283 cubic inch (4.6 liter) V8 engine. This small-block V8 was a staple of Chevrolet's lineup during the 1960s and provided a good balance of power and efficiency for the C10.
The 283 V8 Engine
The 283 V8 engine was first introduced by Chevrolet in 1957 and quickly became one of the company's most successful and widely-used powerplants. It featured a cast-iron block and head, with a bore and stroke of 3.875 inches by 3 inches, giving it a total displacement of 283 cubic inches.
In the 1966 Chevy C10, the 283 V8 was available in a few different configurations. The base model produced 195 horsepower and 285 lb-ft of torque, while higher-performance versions could make up to 220 horsepower.
Other Engine Options
While the 283 V8 was the most common engine choice, the 1966 Chevy C10 was also available with a few other powerplant options:
- 230 cubic inch (3.8 liter) inline 6-cylinder engine, producing 140 horsepower
- 327 cubic inch (5.4 liter) V8 engine, producing up to 275 horsepower in high-performance versions
- 396 cubic inch (6.5 liter) big-block V8 engine, producing up to 325 horsepower
These additional engine choices allowed buyers to tailor the C10 to their specific needs and preferences, whether that was prioritizing fuel efficiency, towing capacity, or outright performance.
Transmission Options
The 1966 Chevy C10 was available with both manual and automatic transmission options to pair with the various engine choices. The standard transmission was a 3-speed manual, but a 4-speed manual and 2-speed automatic were also offered.
Overall, the 283 V8 engine was the most common and popular choice for the 1966 Chevy C10, providing a good balance of power and efficiency that made it well-suited for the pickup's intended work duties. The availability of other engine and transmission options, however, allowed buyers to customize their C10 to their specific needs.
