BB swap into a 4WD??

[gregbr]

Can someone who has done this type swap post all the info in a neat format to document it for everyone. I've read lots of threads that all help with this, but it's never complete and easy to understand. I'm debating putting a 454 with auto into my 67 K10 with 350/T350.

[Yukon Jack]

I think the reason the info is not complete or easy to understand is it seems to vary from truck to truck. Sometimes the swap requires no body mods, other times there is major firewall interference. I had lots of interference and I know of a few other people that had similar problems. Then there are some that just slide right into place.

Here is my info on my swap SB to BB Swap

[Americanrider]

Look up member breeh, he's running a 427 in his short step 4x4.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/member.php3?u=1567

[Dean]

How is that truck coming along Yukon???

[Jesse72]

does anyone know of an aftermarket pan that will fit???

[AK|Bandit]

If you give me a week or two I'd be more than happy to tell you the interferences. I'll be swapping out my SB 350 for a BB 396 in my '72 K5 4x4. I'm hoping and praying the stock oil pan replacement I just bought fits in there. I'll be using the small block motor mounts. I was going to run an HEI distributor, but decided against it because of it's size. Yukon Jack is right on. It seems like this swap has been a little different for everyone. Folks are using different valve covers, different motor mounts, different oil pans, different distributors, and different headers. All of which are factors in fitment. Like I said, if you can wait a week or two, I'll post all my issues. Engine swap issues that is

[gregbr]

I'm in no great hurry, I want to hear all the advice & knowledge first. If it matters, I plan on moving the engine forward a couple inches for valve cover/hei clearance. And currently I have a np203 installed (would love to put the 205 back). So, I need to know all about mounts, xfer cases, driveshafts. Any info will help. Greg

[Pont]

I'm running a BB in my 67 and the issues are both minor and extreme depending on how far back or forward you set it.

You can move the crossmember forward for firewall clearance issues but that moves the tranny and t-case forward (floor pan mods) and possible radiator clearances (long waterpump) which means possible lengthening of the rear shaft and a shorter front shaft with more angle. Mine is in the stock small block location. My valve covers clear the firewall (by maybe a 1/4") and I can not run an HEI with the lack of clearance. The answer to HEI would be a MSD or Mallory electronic dizzy. No matter how far back or forward you stick it, I'm sure you will need to remove about 1/4" of upper frame rail on the passenger side. All BB conversions I have see have had to trim the frame on that side. Other than that, I don't see too many issues that can't be overcome. I'm running headers, stock oil pan, long water pump and everthing has been working fine for many years.

Hope this helps, PM me if I can be of further help. Pic attatched.
Pont

[gregbr]

Thanks for the info so far. Let us know AK.....

[69ssnova]

hey greg greg here my first 72 was a bb 4x4 everybody does it different i had a 2 inch body lift used stock oil pan and valve covers and stock motor mounts i dented the firewall for hei but i think if i did it again i would run an mallery uni lite or points conversion any questions stop by off tuesday and wednesday good luck greg

[AK|Bandit]

Will do...It's getting veeeery close to that time

[gregbr]

WOW Ak, What a good looking engine, can't wait to see how it comes out.

69ssnova, Greg are you off all day Tues/Wed.....I can stop by hopefully.

[69ssnova]

yes and i don't go to work untill 8 pm on monday

[4x4Poet]

I'm considering a BBC engine swap into my K20 burb, so I've saved a few threads. Finally got around to looking at my favs:

1. more engine swap woes
2. BIG BLOCK HEAT SHIELD?
3. Big Block and 4x4 Question
4. Help with detailing my big block (No swap info. Just eye candy.)
5. 427 tall deck? (Again, no swap info, but an interesting read.)
6. ? for big Block Builders... (Some pointers)
7. 427 questions (What? I like 427s.)
8. 427 Tall block engine swap (So I like 427s. Sue me. Seriously, this is a potential swap into a late model.)
9. Big Block in a 4wd (Back on topic.)
10. BBC Serpentine setup?? (Something different. Options are good. )
11. Thinking of a Big Block, what do I need to know? (2wd app, but lots of universal info.)
12. Quick Question - 4x4 With Big Block (Has YukonJack's link to his BBC swap into a K truck)
13. 427 Tall deck ?'s (Just can't get enough 427 info. )
14. I need a good picture breakdown of BBC a/c brackets for my '72 (Good discussion on hard to find A/C brackets)

That's a good # of threads I saved on BBCs and BBC swaps! It's probably bad form to say this myself, but since the search is down, I think this info would be good for the FAQ. Or maybe a 4x4 Forum sticky. Could be removed from either or both after search is back permanently. No search=Sucks @$$.

HTH. Enjoy.

[gregbr]

Good info 4x4poet, THANKS.

[4x4Poet]

My pleasure.

I'm so stoked to get going on my swap. Need to finish a couple/three trucks first.

[gregbr]

You never hear much about the BB 366 tall deck motors, Isn't it the same block, just needs boring to get the 427 cubes? Would the regular brackets bolt up to it any better? What did the regualr 427's come in? I saw one in the paper not long ago.....$1500. Greg

[77K20]

It seems most of the info I have read so far is for 67-72 applications. I have a 77 K20 with a 4-speed. My cousin has a 79 C30 with a 454 that he might sell me. Would I be looking at the same issues when swapping in a BB as the 67-72 guys? Where can I find a bellhousing to mate the 454 to my SM465? My truck has a 2in body lift on it, it seems this might help me out if I go ahead with the swap, right? Thanks for any info you guys have.

-Brandon

[gregbr]

I don't think you will have near the issues with the 77, since many of them came with BB engines, even in the 4wd ones (BB did not come from the factory in any 4wd 67-72). The frame mounts between the 77 350 & 454 may even be the same, since they use the same rubber mount & engine bracket. The bellhousing from the 350 is the same as the 454, bolts right up. Greg

[4x4Poet]

BTW, I'm pretty sure that on one of the threads I linked, I posted of how one can use a 73up 4x4 engine crossmember in a 67-72 4x4 to ease installing a BBC. The 73up 4x4eng xmember swings foward as it crosses over. This leaves more room for different and larger sump oilpans that what came on 67-72 SBCs. Also enables the use of clamshell motor mounts. I've pretty much repeated what's been posted on this, but if it's not on one of the threads posted, post to that effect and I'll try to find it.

As an update to doing this, the Oct 2005 4W&OR, p122 has a 73up eng xmember in a 73up truck, but they used an aftermarket bottom section from Missouri Off-Road Outfitters to help clear crossover steering. Could also be used on a 67-72 4x4 since it still uses the 73up 4x4 motor mount brackets. Needs minimum 4 inches lift to eliminate the xmember stricking the differential:

http://mo-offroad.com/FrontCrossMember01.html

[77K20]

A 350 and a 454 have the same bolt pattern for bellhousings? Wow, I wouldn't have guessed that, but I'm glad to hear it. Does that mean I could also use the flywheel and clutch components from my 350 on a 454? Will the rear of the 454 be in about the same place as my 350? Meaning, would I have to move my tranny/t-case forword or backward to get things to bolt up? How close is this swap to a drop in? I'm just curious what kind of project this would/will be. Sorry for all the questions, but I do appreciate your answers.

-Brandon

[gregbr]

I think it will drop in & bolt up, the rear of the engine sits in the same spot, but the front will be closer to the radiator. You can post this on the 73-87 message board just to make sure. Greg

[AK|Bandit]

I'm not 100% positive, but I think the 454's require a different flywheel/flexplate. Externally balanced maybe? The big block 396, 400, & 402's use the same flywheel/flexplate as the small blocks though.

[Jesse72]

Just an update i used a millidon 9.5 deep sump oil pan that fit, i had to cut some large holes in the fire wall to make room for the tall valve covers,(i have yet to get all the patches made) i got a set of dyno max headers that yukon jack said he used(havent test fitted), and i got a msd probillet distributor that was much smaller than the stock hei i can take it out in the truck w/ my bodylift i will post pic's when its in for good

[Yukon Jack]

Will be eager to see the pics Jesse. Hope the headers work for you. That MSD distributor will help for sure.