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#1 |
Chance
![]() Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA
Posts: 750
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Chevy 540 BB Replacement
I have had my 396BBC (w/TH400) for about 10 years now and the engine is beginning to show its age. I am planning on an engine replacement in the next few years. Does anyone know of someone who is running a 540BBC with a Quadrajet? One day I hope to be able to acquire a 540BBC but I prefer Quadrajets to other carbs.
I know a person could go up and up to a Chevrolet 396 402 427 454 496 502 540 572, etc. I am thinking a 540 Dart block with 118cc open chamber heads (either cast iron or aluminum) where I want to be around 10:1 compression. Of course the components would be balanced. Regular exhaust manifolds instead of headers. Not looking to build a race car. Just want something that drives nice but could burn the rubber off the tires if I choose to. I know I am dreaming now but with a little extra work and a lot of savings this may be possible one. I appreciate all the advice and comments. Have a happy New Year! ![]()
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1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400 |
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#2 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Edwards, CA
Posts: 7,503
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
Quote:
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: graham,tx
Posts: 344
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
Made my dream come true!!!! I know its not exactly what you asked for but i thought everybody loves pics.
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My 1970 C10 Build "Project Teacher" |
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#4 |
Chance
![]() Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA
Posts: 750
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
Wow! That is one ice engine. I bet took a while to make it a reality.
Are 496 engine very drivable. I heard they are not. I know I would save $2000 off the top by going with a 454 block to make a 496. Posted via Mobile Device
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1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400 |
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: sparta tennessee
Posts: 345
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
I dont think a Qjet will ever flow enough to run a 540
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1946 car hauler 1948 surburban 1937 chevy sedan 1940 olds sedan (project) 1967 ss396 chevelle 1999 dually crewcab(24000 miles) |
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#6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Edwards, CA
Posts: 7,503
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
Quote:
Any engine can be made street undrivable it is a matter of setting it up for the intended usage. Seen more than a few VWs that made a lot of power but can't cool or idle worth a .....
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Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID ** Blazer SPID ** Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders ** Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? ** Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban |
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#7 |
2WD Jimmy
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Davis County, Utah
Posts: 2,564
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
There is more than one size of quadrajet, and places like The Carb Shop in Ontario,Ca. can modify them or build them for most applicatios. They have built a couple of carbs for me and I've been quite happy.
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Marianna Arkansas
Posts: 7,269
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
You can get 540 out of a production block. Now ya'll put down the torches and pitchforks ,I know your wanting to come start a fire in my house, but it is very doable with a tall deck truck block and other parts that are not that much higher if any than the ones needed to build a 496 or a 502 or 520. I would like you to picture a 540 with truck manifolds on it this way if you are a lumberjack and you are flowing logs down stream to a mill, the opening is 25 ft wide and the river is 600feet wide and the exit is 30 feet wide. The entrance is a Q-jet and the exit is the truck manifolds. The best bet for the application would be a EFI but I understand a budget, belive me. Even with the restrictions caused by the carb and the exhuast the 540 would make so much torque is would be a permanant grin on your face everytime you think of it.
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Manteca, Ca USA
Posts: 305
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
I built a 496 with a .690 solid roller cam for my 66 elco, drove it everywhere for a couple years, even used it to tow a float for my towns christmas parade...and it went 10.26@ 127 in the 1/4 mile!! 496's are great engine, just depends on how you set them up.
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'71 Chevy 3/4 Ton Longbed '22 Chevy Tahoe RST '67 Firebird- 8 sec street car '24 GMC CC 4x4 Duramax Dually |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Marianna Arkansas
Posts: 7,269
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
Yes, the op must have a bad taste in his mouth about a 496, they just like any motor if parts are just thrown at them will be [or could be] sick at best and disheartining at worst. there are thousands of those 496's out there shredding tires over streets and tracks and other venues as well all over the country. It is a matter of planning and putting together parts that match and work well together, similar to putting manifolds on a motor that large they just can't flow that much exhaust. Jim
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#11 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Williston, ND
Posts: 2,999
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
My 496 was made for cruising. The 2800 stall is a little high with the 3.42 gears, but I can still jump in it and drive it 2 hours if I wanted to. Its in lockup at 65 so highway driving is very doable. It has a 750 double pumper on it, so not the most practical driving carb, but it does work really good, and it can lay rubber forever.
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68 Chevy CST/10, 50th Anniversary, 327/th400, 373 posi, buckets 68 GMC Shortbox Stepside, 402/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.08 Positraction 69 Chevy Camaro SS, 383, 4 speed, positraction 70 Chevy El Camino SS396, Triple Black, 454/th400, Tach 70 Chevy Shortbox Stepside 4x4, 350/th350, Tilt, Tach, Cab Lights, Bumper Guards, Tow Hooks 70 Chevy 3/4 Longbox, 350/auto, 70k, SURVIVOR 71 Chevy Blazer, CST, 350/auto 71 GMC Sierra K2500, 454, 4 speed, 4.10 posi, 37s 71 Custom/30, Open Road, 350/th400, tilt 72 Chevy Shortbox Fleetside, 496 Stroker/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.42 Posi 72 GMC Sierra Grande 2500. 427/th400, tilt, a/c, tool and stowage, buckets/console, 3.54 posi |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Townsend MT
Posts: 1,725
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
I have read that you can stuff a 4.5" crank in a 427 tall deck block and bore it an easy 4.375". That gives you a 541 using a Chevy block.
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#13 |
I am a Referee of life.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Greensboro N.C.
Posts: 13,993
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
Any of the big CI BB chevys will benefit from aluminu heads.Most builders agree that Al heads will allow a higher static comp ratio for the given fuel.With todays cat pee gas,you want every advantage you can get.Matching cam,head flow,comp ratio and such will alow any engine to be tailored for the application.
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The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil" |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Mooresville NC/Gainesville GA
Posts: 499
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
The cam, compression ratio, & torque converter dictate how streetable something is. Displacement does not. Theres a local guy to me who has a pump gas 632 in a Camaro and drives it everywhere.
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#15 |
Chance
![]() Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA
Posts: 750
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
Thank you for all the great advice and points of view. I decided to go with a 496 with a quadrajet, aluminum heads, and stock exhaust manifolds. Now the hard part of saving some cash to get it accomplished.
Happy new year guys! Posted via Mobile Device
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1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400 |
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#16 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: mccalla,alabama
Posts: 31
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
If you bore a 454 70 thou over you can get 505 out of a stock block and wilth a decent cam and converter make a fun driver out of it
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1970 c-10 lwb named "heavy metal therapy" |
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#17 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: chillicothe, illinois
Posts: 688
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Re: Chevy 540 BB Replacement
496 rotating assy on e-bay for 1100.00. I think the crank, rods are scat with forged pistons. I would have went this way had I seen the add before I bought 60 over pistons to build a 468.
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