Technical 350 CHEVY CRATE MOTOR QUESTIONS

I am thinking about putting a new 350 Chevy crate motor in my 1940 Ford, and I have some questions, as I have always run flatheads.
1- Are the modern SBC crate motors the same block as, say, an old 327? I have a transmission adapter to adapt a SBC to a stock '40 tranny..., will this adapter work with a modern 350 crate motor?
2- I will not be building a "hot rod." I just want more power. So I'm thinking of using just a two barrel carb, and I'm thinking of using 265 exhaust manifolds. They look like they will direct the exhaust in the right locations. Will 265 exhaust manifolds fit on to a modern 350 crate motor?
3- What I would really like to do, is put a rebuilt 327 in my '40, but that will cost me twice as much as a NEW 350 crate motor. So I'll put in a new crate motor if I can adapt it like I would an old 327.
Your comments would be appreciated.
Henry D.

 

put it in...
ya want to say 327 then buy it and it will be a 327

 

1: yes

2: yes

3: put valve covers that say 327 on them and 95% won't know any different, 99.99% won't care. The .01% that will probably drives a ricer.

 

You guys are FUNNY! And technically astute! Thanks. I'm goin for it!

 

if you can find some 32 ford v8 motor mounts they will bolt in like it was mint to be

 

put a 4bbl on it, you dont want no cheap ass 2bbl fake 327!

 

It's not a fake 327, it is just a longer stroked 327

 

You will be happy. Just get the 260 hp one. Ive heard the 290hp ones are junk. Because it to much cam for the motor can handle or watever But i never tryed it. But for sure a sbc wont disapoint.

 

X2--290 HP has low comp and somewhat aggressive cam thus no vacuum. Kinda doggy too. Get the 260 or 330 HP version or get a good 300HP 327 built.

 

The 265 manifolds will bolt on fine but may be quite restrictive. If that isn't a big issue to you head on.
As Prewarcars4me said most guys can't tell the difference anyhow even if they claim to be experts on the subject.
Can't really blame you for going crate motor. I have two or three small blocks stashed away that need rebuilding but between the cost of parts and machine work they get more expensive than a new crate motor from GM real quick.

 

Whoa I was expecting to read a bunch of "don't put a SBC in a ford" comments in this thread. You lucked out! Haha

 

Sure, pass off your 350 crate motor for a 327. And while you're at it, stick 3 dueces on it and only hook up the center one. And don't forget to put a fake quick change cover on your 10 bolt...

 

Not really, whenever someone want's to rebuild a flathead or a 265,283,327, you always get the "put a 350 in it" crowd but now that somebody actually "want's" to put a 350 in it you'll get lots of comments.

 

Call h&h flathead spend $15,000 on a mild flatty

 

fixed it for you

 

I bought one of those crate motors back when they were $1199.00. It's a darn good motor. The heads are heavy castings (thick decks) and flow well. At the time I bought mine GM would honor the warranty even if you changed the cam, and even if you ported the heads, like I did.

Win- win.

 

As these are designed to be "replacement" engines, You´d be best off w/the GM crate-350 -option if You´re well-stocked w/vintage SBC parts&accessories, or ultimately had a complete such engine w/a full, matching set of induction& accessories, and a bad bottom end.
If there´s a such engine available nearby, consider acquiring it. Either for parts donor, or for rebuild core.
Accy.´s such as intake/exhaust manifolds, flywheels, pulleys, brackets, wire hold-downs, heat shields etc. can become spendy and extremely time-consuming to match if acquired individually.
Sounds to me You are looking to replicate the external appearance of a pre-PCV -era 283/327.
As far as the (265) intake You brought up, it´s designed for an engine w/a draft-tube in the rear of the engine block. This being a PCV-era ´69-85 -type casting, there is no provision for that.
Good luck.

 

I had a '68 327 that I swapped over to a 2 barrel intake & carb and it ran fine. You can even adapt a Holley 2 barrel to it and obtain a better look over the Rochester.

Soup to nuts with the 355 SBC I built late last year, I have about $6000 into it. Fan to flywheel, air cleaner to oil pan.

 

OK, all great comments, but now I have a couple of more questions...

1- '32 flathead motor mounts will bolt up to a Chevy block? They will work in place of, say, a Hurst motor mount?
2- The reason I'm thinking of using a two-barrel is that I will never use the four-barrel, but more importantly, I want to retain the stock Ford throttle linkage. Somewhere in my life, it seems like I saw an old Ford that had a SBC in it with a Ford two-barrel (maybe a Stromberg 97). This of course allowed for the stock linkage. Am I imagining this?

 

11 years ago I bought a 383 crate engine. Works great lots of torque idles nice power brakes work.

 

I have been running a 290/350 for three years and very happy with it. The one problem I have had is that the bolt hole that threads in from the front to hold the fuel pump pushrod in place is not threaded thru. Makes it a real S.O.B. to change mech. fuel pump. I don't know if it's common on all 290/350 or just mine. Mine came from Mexico.

 

I replaced a 307 SBC in my 34 Roadster with the 260HP crate 350 from Summit and it was an easy swap and I like the new engine a lot. No complaints. 2K miles so far and it runs great.
Do what the others said above and you'll be happy. But, yes put on a small 4barrel.

 

Yes it takes a min. with a file to hog out one of the bolt holes to bolt right to the front mount on the chevy block. fits right up to the ford mounts

 

You can use the exhaust manifolds off a 65 and later Chevell they drop down and exit behind steering box, looks like they were made for it. Have a set on my 40 for about 40 + years. OPG has them $329.99 for a set, or you can see if you can find some. Check parts house, NAPA or outhers may have them in Dorman line.

 

Nice ill be checking that out as I just took a set off my 51 Chevy and that would be great if the would go right onto the small black in my 39!

 

I'd go with the 2 barrel Rochester 2GC.

With the awful fuel blends today, and getting worse soon, I would stay away from aftermarket 4 barrel carbs. And I'd never put a early Ford 2 barrel on that motor. There are carb shop guys on here that could make up a 2GC to fit your linkage.

 

If I were going to use a 2bbl, I'd try to find the complete original intake and carb setup from an early 70s 350 that came with that. They worked great in the old days. it's bigger than the early 2GC carbs, too.

 

Next expense buy several extra transmissions a 350 has twice the torque as the flathead. Ford didn't overbuild the trans that much.

 

I had a '70 350 intake and 2GC on my 327 I mentioned before. It worked very well, hardest part was rebuilding the 2GC.

 

What is the collector diameter of these Cheville manifolds - 2 inch or perhaps 2.5 inches?
Thanks.