Blue's Big Block Conversion
 

Well, I finally started on my conversion saturday. I drained the coolant, and started gutting the engine compartment, you can tell how far I've gotten from the pictures. I'll be working on it off and on this entire week and then I'll work on it all day next friday seeing how I have the day off. I ended up having some questions though.

What type of radiator should I get as far as brand name and size?

On my 454, would anyone advise taking off the timing cover and replacing the chain since it has 60k on it? Along with that should I take off the oil pan and inspect the heart of the motor?

Lastly from another post I was told to see if my BB mounts were low profile mounts? Apparently if they are then I need to buy another set....can anyone tell in the picture if they are the correct mounts, I have really never paid any attention to motor mounts of BB trucks whenever I've seen them.

Thanks

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Re: Blue's Big Block Conversion
 

I had to replace the original radiator in my 82 Blazer. I called around and found that the best bang for the buck was a Modine "high efficiency" radiator. I ordered one for a big block application and it fit just fine.

You will need the larger rubber cradles that it rides on, as well as the ones for the top. The BB core support cover plate, and BB fan shroud. The SB shroud might work, but it required some minor grinding on mine.

Re: Blue's Big Block Conversion
 

At 60k and the engine is already on a stand, I'd take the hour or so and pull the pan and the timing cover. Put a new double roller timing set on it. I've found Cloyes double roller sets for $20 (small block), but the big block shouldn't be much more. With the pan off you can make sure everything is in good shape on the bottom end. I'd even put a new stock oil pump on it too. It's just cheap insurance.

Do it now while the engine is out because you don't want to have to pull it when either breaks and the engine is in the truck. Or for that matter nothing is worse than installing a used engine and firing it up for the first time to hear some nasty noises or see low to no oil pressure.

Re: Blue's Big Block Conversion
 

Never heard of low profile BBC mounts, Every one I have converted I have removed them off the SBC and bolted them to the BBC and dropped it back in. By the picture, your looks like normal V8 mounts. If they are the same as the SBC ones, then you have your answer.

I got a new GM HD radiator locally for $210, last time I needed one.

Re: Blue's Big Block Conversion
 

Well, the 305 is out and sittin on a couple tires, and I've been tinkering with the 454. Thats were I came across something peculuar...when I had the oil pan off inspecting the crank and such, I found that were the rod for the oil pump came down there was a "V" shaped cut in the cap. Now that didn't look normal to me, if it isn't normal...will it effect the motor at all? Before I took the oil pan off the motor turned over pretty good. I'd kind of like to know if I need to take the motor all the way apart because of this or not because I was planning on putting the motor in tommorow.

On a happier note, I got my new timing chain installed and I am about to install the timing cover, harmonic balancer, and the water pump. The fuel pump will be last, just because I find that the dealing with the rod is a difficult task.

Will post pictures as soon as my camera battery is charged....thats why I don't have a picture of my concern with the motor.

Re: Blue's Big Block Conversion
 

Do you have any pic's of it? Now the V cut is on the pump, not the pic up?

Re: Blue's Big Block Conversion
 

No, the V-cut was on the main cap were the rod goes up to the distributor...

UPDATE 6/27/07:

Posting some pictures I took of progress, kinda got bored because I'm waiting for my harmonic balancer to show up and I don't know what I really want to do with the engine or engine compartment right now.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...f/e8d99a16.jpg

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I kinda forgot to update you guys with pictures of my brown truck....back in december I got the exhaust manifolds ceramic coated...so I should get some pictures uploaded for you guys.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...6/f072c36d.jpg

I'm also sure those of you who have seen it once before might be interested in seeing how my dads blazer is coming along...all I'm going to say is he had his 598ci BBC dynoed and the motor is now sitting snuggly between the frame rails waiting to get its custom made headers. I might post some pics up mid july if I get the chance

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...9/e8d98a5d.jpg

Re: Blue's Big Block Conversion
 

LOL....just got my headers yesterday, and they don't fit. I wanted to scream, wow, everything seems to be taking forever on this little project of mine. Anyway, I was just wondering what kind of BB headers would work with this motor, cause now I have a set of Sanderson ceramic coated BB4's sitting in their box collecting dust (They told me that the headers would most likely fit). Supposedly the BB8's fit 73-87 trucks...I just don't want to send another set back, especially when I have to keep paying that shipping cost. http://www.sandersonheaders.com/images/BB8.jpg

Anybody have any suggestions....

Re: Blue's Big Block Conversion
 

You need BB3's for a Chevelle, BB4's are for the old series trucks. I posted some pics here somewhere of them mounted.

Re: Blue's Big Block Conversion
 

Thanks, I'd appreciate that

UPDATE: I dropped the motor in yesterday, although it isn't buttoned up to the transmission yet because I think I might have some more problems. The distributor seems to be pretty close to the firewall, is there a remedy without damaging the firewall or buying a new MSD distributor? Also, when I tightened the flexplate bolts I just tightened them to what I thought was evenly snug....I was thinking there might be a torque spec for them though, if so, what is it and will I be able to torque them without taking that motor out?

Thanks in advance for the help

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