Wondering how difficult it would be to put a bbc in one of this generation of trucks. Got a nice bbc and might pick up one of these trucks to put it in. Just wondering if firewall needs recessing, or if there are other issues? Anyone been there and done that?
I haven't done it, but I have a '63 panel truck and it looks like there is all kinds of room! Should be an easy fit.
build/ how to threads on the truck board http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/forumdisplay.php?f=6 David
I agree, I installed a BB in my '65 years ago. No modifications were needed to the fire wall, I used the SB mounts, but had to modify them slightly (may have been the style of headers I used). I also used the stock radiator. Nice swap, Good luck.
Dad and I stuffed a 454 in my 65 back in the 80's. Originily a six banger. Plenty of room, I remember having the drive shaft shortened, We made our own mounts. The biggest pita was we did the swap in feburary out side.
Bolt-in swap, shouldn't have any problems. Header fit would be my only concern. Good luck, and post some pics when you get started!
Did one in my friends 64. Did have to massage the frame a little for headers to fit & we replaced a good portion of the firewall as his valvecovers were hitting & it made them a bitch to get off.
Here is my 454 in my 64 C10.. Its mounted forward of the stock small block location, so the tall valve covers clear the firewall. Its on stock rubber mounts, the frame mounts are stock small block, slightly clearanced for the headers. Headers are tri y's for a 70's C10. Had to clearance the frame about 1/8 inch and ding one tube slightly. I've seen them in the stock small block location with stock type valve covers and its a tight fit. Chris
If you get the big block engine stands from a 1968 chevy truck,they're taller and you will have little more clearance for headers.The down side to using big block stands is the rubber for them is expensive( around $200).I welded a heavy duty washer(with a smaller hole) to mine so i could use the cheap small block $10 motor mounts.
My brother bolted a 454 in his 63 back in the day. Small block mounts and (I think) 73-87 pickup headers - might have been Chevelle headers, can't remember. Don't think any firewall mods were necessary. Plenty of room
We did those swaps all the time, same mounts, maybe a different top hose water outlet but an easy swap. On one BBC we just used flex pipe for the exhaust.
If you use an automatic, you can move the engine forward a little and not have to rework the firewall. If you want to run a clutch, you have to leave the engine in the original location for the clutch linkage to work. If you leave the engine in the original location, you have to notch the firewall for valve cover clearance. Passenger side takes a pretty big notch to clear. I don't remember what I had to do on the drivers side, so it probably wasn't much.
I put a 427 in a 63 42 years ago. took a BFH to the firewall and made clearance for valve covers. other wise it was a bolt in.
You could cut out part of the inner fenders, put a bigass cross flow radiator in there. I mean big. Tall and wide.
This is the same truck I posted above, new paint. Radiator is 40 inches wide. Don't have any better pics, truck is apart again.
I sub-framed my '57. 454. Steering box and radiator want the same space. What I found at the Radiator Warehouse was, if I remember, a down flow Mopar radiator. Haven't fired it yet. (30 years and counting) Model - 889-4 4 core core size - 26"w X 18" h O/A - 30"w X 23"h (not including the filler neck and cap) mounting flanges on the front sides Shroud mounting flanges on the engine side top and bottom outlet the right sizes and in the right place
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