will a truck 883 work in an a body?

The tailshaft is longer placing the mount back further. You can fab up a new crossmember. I had one in the 64 before I found a short shaft one. You will have to shorten your drive shaft also. The shifter will work but you will need to get linkage for your year/series. Even if you dont use the trany do get the bellhousing, you may want to find a short shaft and the truck bell is for the 10.5 clutch. As far as handling the power it WILL. And later on for performance you can change the rear to ungodly low and still drive it on the interstate.