71 4x4 BBC Swap: Doing what I should have done the first time!

[Chevy1TonFun]

Ok for those that don't know I burned up my TH350 Christmas Day on the way home from spending time with my family. So, I decided to upgrade to a a TH400 and find a divorced 205. Well I found all that for about $350. Then I made a newbe mistake of making a crossmember for the trans and not mocking up the tranfercase. So the drive angle was off. I decided to install a body lift and move the motor forward 2". So one thing led to another and what use to be just a blown tranny turned in BBC swap, new trans and new t-case. Ok so I ordered a 3" body lift from performance accessories and started installing the kit and found out the bolts are all wrong. I believe that 6 out of 14 are correct. So I will be calling Performance Access. tech support on monday to see if they will send me the right bolts.

So my biggest problem is that I need to buy a 454 BBC asap. I have three ideas for a engine crossmember: 1. ORD, 2. DIY4x, and 3. build my own.

Other than firewall issues, is there anything else that need to be done in order to fit a BBC in my 71 4x4?

[skchevota]

cool, dont you just love how one thing leads to another...." gee honey, I started to do the brakes, but then found out I needed new calipers, so thats how I ended up pulling the engine" hahahaha

[Burt4x4]

4core rad should be used, you are doing the right thing!
I LOVE driving my 454





Being on a build budjet helps but there are alot of cool parts to buy out there
Good Luck! Do it slow and doit right then GET IT DIRTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CPNEJR]

this is the right thing to do. if the wife starts questioning you just tell her that there were some serious problems and to make it easier you took the engine out then you realized that it was going to need a rebuild so you bought another motor because it'd be cheaper than a rebuild.

[Burt4x4]

Originally Posted by CPNEJR

this is the right thing to do. if the wife starts questioning you just tell her that there were some serious problems and to make it easier you took the engine out then you realized that it was going to need a rebuild so you bought another motor because it'd be cheaper than a rebuild.

hahahaha did you talk to my wife?
That is what I told her..I was originally going to rebulid my 350..then I found a running when pulled 454 for 175bucks. I told her it would be cheeper to replace the engine..she doens't know what a 350 or a 454 are
It took a year or so collecting parts and getting the longblock assymbled.

she has no clue what i ended up spending over that year

[Chevy1TonFun]

So I bought a 454 from the same buddy that had the Turbo 400. Ya'll better sit down for this one... $50!!! The number one piston spun a bearing, over than that it is complete from intake to oil pan. It doesn't have pullies, but for 50 bucks who cares! I'll be posting pics of it this weekend (hopefully) after i clean the garage and what not. I am going for a 50/50 match up with HP and TQ. Let me know what you all think. I am building a mud truck that is still used on the street. So i'm looking for the best combo to get most of it with out getting 2 MPG or less. More info to come.

[Burt4x4]

Buy your build parts for RPM range= Idel-5000.
454 is a GREAT stump pulling engine!
Save your beer cans and get Fuel Injection
If you build for lowend and continuous duty your truck will love it!

[Burt4x4]

Thought I would share, sence you don't have pullies. I got this 1"cog bet assy from
http://www.blackmountainprecision.com
They are not cheep, works great though! You will need PS pully....
Good Luck

[green724x4]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=263273

try this link.
I moved my engine mounts, t-case,crossmember forward 1" for clearance. Stock valve covers helps too. make sure u add your build to the tread when you have your truck together.

[Chevy1TonFun]

Ok so I picked up the 454 yesterday. The only thing I know about the motor is that it came out of a 80s subur and the #1 piston has a spun bearing. Here is how is looks...





I'm looking to build a strong responsive motor. So I'm going to building for response at 1500 to 5000RPM. I'm looking at boring out the motor .030. For a cam I've picked out the Voodoo LUN-69202LK 1400-550RPM and Edelbrock RPM Air-gap intake. I going to run flat or small dome pistons to keep the compression up, MSD HEI Distributor, Holley Street Adventure 670CFM carb, and summit headers. I'm still thinking about roller rockers and cog belt setup. Open to advise and learn from ya'll. This is my first big block build and I don't ever want to build another engine for this truck again. So, I want to do it right and on the first time around! I'm doing my research and saving what little money I can. Here are a few more pic of the tear down.

[snj8198]

congrats on your find. your choice to build a low end grunter is wise. do you have a machinist picked out? hope the crank cleans up. a roller cam would be a wise investment. enjoy the build. -steve

[Burt4x4]

SWEET!
So what is the number on your heads?
Hopefully it reads 336781 or its cusin ending in 041 I think, don't remember the second number that is large port.
Two common types small port and large port...I'm no gearhead so I don't know alot about it..This is my first 454 too so I am still learning:

One thing to think about would be not useing HEI Dist, firewall clearance is tight back there..I have seen HEI work so it does fit...just tighter.
I ended up building from idel to 5K so the cam I used is a bit mild. I ended up with CompCam Xtreme 4x4 family(RV cam really) 11-231-3.
I wanted my engine to run all day and last a life time so I had the block decked, heads shave and stuffed w/over sized valves. 2.19In and 1.88Ex. My entire rotaing assy is balance too...sucker purrrrrssss! Then Sh**ts and Gets! the EFI helps alot with that..ZERO hesitation
Talking about makes me wanna leave work and DRIVE IT!!!!!!
hahah Ok too much for me today! hahhaaha

[72chevyk10]

hei works fine IF u get u get a after market small cap. i got the mallory and LOVE it. i get 12mpg on the freeway converted to vac advance

[Chevy1TonFun]

I have a MSD HEI from my old motor and am planning on moving the motor forward for the clearance. For the heads next time I'm over at my brother's house I will look at the numbers.

[Chevy1TonFun]

Ok so I've been busy with swapping out the 350 out of my buddy's blazer to put my old 337 in. I did get a chance to take some pics of my block and heads number. My block is a 14015445. It also has K13, 445, HI-PERF, PASS on it. The heads are 4092360. I looked them up and they are known as peanut heads. The machine shop is town that I'm going with is Engine Masters(Owner is a neighbor) and they said the crank would need to be welded. So with that I am opting to buy a rotating kit. I have just about everything picked out. I waiting to get a hold of a buddy that builds Hi-Perf heads for you engine and specs to look things over.
Here is what I have picked out:

Brand: Eagle Specialty Products
Product Line: Eagle Street and Strip Rotating Assemblies
Part Type: Engine Rotating Kits
Part Number: ESP-B18400030
Actual Engine CID: 460
Engine Stroke (in): 4.000 in.
Pistons Included: Yes
Piston Rings Included: Yes
Piston and Ring Oversize (in): 0.030 in.
Piston Material: Hypereutectic aluminum
Piston Style: Flat top, with two valve reliefs
Piston Head Volume (cc): +2.00cc
Wrist Pin Style: Floating
Piston Ring Facing Material: Plasmamoly
Crankshaft Included: Yes
Crankshaft Material: Cast steel
Rear Main Seal Style: 2-piece
Balanced: Yes
Engine Balance: External
Balance Style: External
Connecting Rods Included: Yes
Connecting Rod Material: Forged 5140 steel
Connecting Rod Beam Style: I-beam
Rod Bearings Included: Yes
Rod Bearing Undersize (in): Stock
Rod Bearing Undersize (mm): Stock
Main Bearings Included: Yes
Main Bearing Undersize (in): Stock
Main Bearing Undersize (mm): Stock
Cam Bearings Included: No
Gaskets Included: No
Oil Pump Included: No
Camshaft Included: No
Lifters Included: No
Timing Chain and Gears Included: No
Plastigage Included: No
Assembly Lubricant Included: No
Quantity: Sold as a kit.
Notes: Suitable for up to 700 horsepower. Assembly includes flexplate and harmonic balancer.


Brand: Lunati
Product Line: Lunati Voodoo Cam and Lifter Kits
Part Type: Camshaft and Lifter Kits
Part Number: LUN-60203LK
Cam Style: Hydraulic flat tappet
Basic Operating RPM Range: 1,800-6,200
Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 227
Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 233
Duration at 050 inch Lift: 227 int./233 exh.
Advertised Intake Duration: 268
Advertised Exhaust Duration: 276
Advertised Duration: 268 int./276 exh.
Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.542 in.
Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.554 in.
Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.542 int./0.554 exh. lift
Lobe Separation (degrees): 110
Intake Valve Lash: 0.000 in.
Exhaust Valve Lash: 0.000 in.
Computer Controlled Compatible: No
Lifters Included: Yes
Lifter Style: Hydraulic flat tappet

Brand: Edelbrock
Product Line: Edelbrock Performer RPM Air-Gap Intake Manifolds
Part Type: Intake Manifolds, Carbureted
Part Number: EDL-7562
Engine Block Style: Stock/OEM standard deck
Carburetor Quantity: Single
Intake Style: Dual plane
Basic Operating RPM Range: 1,500-6,500

Brand: Holley
Product Line: Holley Aluminum Street Avenger Carburetors
Part Type: Carburetors
Part Number: HLY-0-85670
Number of Barrels: 4
Carburetor Flange: Square bore
Choke: Manual
Fuel: Gasoline
Secondary Type: Vacuum
New or Remanufactured: New
Fuel Inlet: Dual
CFM: 670

Brand: MSD Ignition
Product Line: MSD Street Fire HEI Distributors
Part Type: Distributors
Part Number: MSD-8362
Computer Controlled Compatible: No
Trigger Style: Magnetic
Advance Type: Vacuum and mechanical
Cap Style: Male/HEI
Mechanical Tach Drive: No
Slip Collar: No
Gear Material: Iron
Ignition Box Required: No
Distributor Rotor Rotation: Clockwise
Helix Rotation: Standard
Distributor Cap Color: Red
Housing Material: Cast aluminum
Housing Finish: Polished
Quantity: Sold individually.
Notes: The shaft diameter on this distributor is .491 in..

Brand: MSD Ignition
Product Line: MSD Heli-Core Spark Plug Wire Sets
Part Type: Spark Plug Wire Sets
Part Number: MSD-3122
Assembled: No
Diameter (mm): 8.00mm
RFI Suppression: Yes

NOTE: I already had the MSD HEI Distributor and Holley Carb. I plan on upgrading the carb in the future.

[LANDC]

Dude, fully rollerize your engine. You will gain a little hp and a ton of longevity. Then w/proper maintenance this will be the last bbc you'll have to build. I had a 454 30 over built and totally rollerized and I am happy I did. Without sparkplugs in it I could turn the crank with one hand.

[breeh]

I would go with a more conservative cam. Especially with those small port heads. If you are going to use tires that fit that lift then you are going to want low end grunt.

[onlyifihadachevy]

ridin high is your truck a convert? Or did u do cross-over steering?

[Chevy1TonFun]

Originally Posted by onlyifihadachevy

ridin high is your truck a convert? Or did u do cross-over steering?

What do you mean by a convert? I build my own custom cross over steering.

[Burt4x4]

So what is this truck going to be used for?
Your current plan sounds more like a car engine than a 4x4.
Holly is a great carb, just don't get bouncy(rutted fire road or sand dunes) or at any steep angles/hill climbs. That Holly will barf into your intake. Q-jet is the best carb for off-raod. I ran the Edelbrock 1901 for years on my 350.
Don't get me worng the truck will be fun to drive for sure, just some sacrafices to think about, but again depends on what the truck will be used for.
My .02c

[onlyifihadachevy]

[quote] What do you mean by a convert? I build my own custom cross over steering.

by convert i meant a 2wd changed to 4wd because the cross-over steering uses a 2wd steering box or something very similar someone said

[Chevy1TonFun]

[quote=onlyifihadachevy;3202858]

What do you mean by a convert? I build my own custom cross over steering.

by convert i meant a 2wd changed to 4wd because the cross-over steering uses a 2wd steering box or something very similar someone said

No my truck is a factory 4x4. I bought a 2wd box for the setup.

Also to answer you question Burt4x4, my truck is for mud and street. The holley carb I have has worked get for offroading in the mud since the day I got it. I might upgrade to the truck avenger in the future.

[Burt4x4]

[quote=Ridin' High;3204302]

Originally Posted by onlyifihadachevy

No my truck is a factory 4x4. I bought a 2wd box for the setup.

Also to answer you question Burt4x4, my truck is for mud and street. The holley carb I have has worked get for offroading in the mud since the day I got it. I might upgrade to the truck avenger in the future.

Ahhh Sweet!
well get-r-done and get-r-dirty

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by Ridin' High

What do you mean by a convert? I build my own custom cross over steering.

How's the bump steer on that, with the drag link at such a steep angle?

[Chevy1TonFun]

Originally Posted by grendel

How's the bump steer on that, with the drag link at such a steep angle?

I have a problem only because I don't have a sway bar yet. One of things on the list with this rebuild