1971 K10 SWB 502 BBC Swap - Header Advice

[mtharleydavidson]

Greetings folks,
I am new to this site but have found it to be an incredible resource. I thought I would seek some advice. I have a 1971 K10 (4X4) SWB truck with the factory 350 SBC and Turbo 350 transmission. I am swapping in a Chevy ZZ502 crate engine and Turbo 400 Transmission. I have decided to use the DIY4X4 engine crossmember and move the engine forward just enough to mount in the turbo 400 and keep the transfer case in its stock location. I am guessing I will end up moving the engine forward around 2 inches which should give me decent firewall clearance. My dilema is what headers to use. I have read several other topics on this site regarding it, but would like to see if anyone has a winning combination. The factory specs on the engine call for 2" primary tubes on the headers. Not sure if I am going to find one that fits since it is a custom application. I know Hooker makes a comp header for this truck (2463-HKR), but it has 1.75" primary tubing... Not sure if it will make that much of a difference from a performance perspective.

I imagine some of you have gotten other headers to work in this application. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Aaron

[Rollie396]

First of all,welcome to the board!
I don't have much info to share on the headers,but are you sure you have room to move the engine forward that much?I'm putting a BB in place of a SB as well and although the front clip is off,it looks like the space between the front of the engine and the rad will be really limited,even with a low profile electric fan setup.
Anyhow,here's a bump for you and I'm interested in what info comes up here.
Oh yea,you should post up some pics.Pics are real popular around here.

[mtharleydavidson]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

You have a good question on the clearance. I have seen several posts on this site eluding to the moving ahead of the block anywhere from 1-2 inches... I am "hoping" to get away with dropping it in ahead by the distance that the Turbo 400 added over the Turbo 350, which should be about 2 inches. This leads me to a new issue... Whether or not to use the Short Water pump the 502 came with go to a long pump. I have been contemplating a GM Serpentine system which comes with a reverse long pump. But then I will again lose a couple of precious inches. It may be wise for me to stay with the SWP. Perhaps someone who has done this will chime in with some perspective.

Good Idea on the pics... I will add some. Cheers! -A-

[California gold 68]

Welcome, I'm new to the board as well. Cold up in Bozeman? Been to Montana once, really some nice country. I am likely to face some of your obstacles. I'll be dropping a 396 into a 1977 GMC 2500 with sheet metal from a 1968 C20. I am thinking, after reading some other posts, I'll be added some kind of body lift. Fit and placement should be interesting. Good luck!

[68350]

Hello from Butte/Williston! Im not sure on your question, but if you get ridda ur tranny or any other parts, let me know, always on the lookout for more parts for the stash! We'll have to meet up some time when I have my 72 in Butte.