To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....

[ElKotze]

If it will be a work truck you gonna tow with, a big block would serve you well, but for a weekend cruiser the mpg are just too lousy. I would take the 350 and build a 383 stroker with a little EFI unit on top, makes plenty of power and good mpg on long trips. Big blocks are pricey to rebuild. Check into a L31 engine, perfect for a Longhorn, imo. Personally, I would stay away from the sbc 400. Yes, it's a classy engine, but I'm not a fan of the siamese bore.

[Ironangel]

"No replacement for displacement" Take it from someone who owns two LWB 72 C/10's that came with factory 350's. I dropped a 1969 L34 396 BBC in "Sally" two years ago and the WOW factor is STILL off the scale! Oddly enough, I use "Bellle" (cammed 4bbl 350 with a built 350 Turbo-Hydramatic, 3:73 Posi, 275/70R-16's) to tow "Sally" to show sand drag strips. "Sally's" 396 was bored .060" over to a 408 cubic inch BBC with a Comp 268HE cam, Comp roller rockers, Speed-Pro 22cc forged domes, hard seated 3964290 98cc closed chamber heads. 800cfm Ruggles Quadrajet on a Weiand aluminum intake. Built 350 "Super-Turbo" w/10" 3000rpm stall, beefed up truck 12-Bolt w/4:56 Eaton Posi...Very streetable and a blast! No mistaking that BBC sound either! https://youtu.be/_jXxaOqm36M?t=1m19s

[Mike C]

How much is budget driven?

One thing to consider, is the power steering setup and motor mount setup will run you nearly $1000 unless you can find a cheap donor truck somewhere.

Full disclosure, I just screwed together two different 427's. One for my 69 short, one for my 'vette.

Big block is cool if the budget isn't primary driver. And they are cheaper than they used to be by a long shot since everybody wants an LS.

[BossHogg69]

Well, if the 396/th400 is running and ready to go, it's an easy choice. If both the 400sbc and 396bbc need to be built, then do what your budget allows - they both offer the cubic engines that you'll need on your side to pull that truck around, plus you could sell the other two engines off to fund the one you build. The 350 would be my last choice. My personal preference leans towards big blocks - the low end torque and big time midrange is addicting. As you can see in my signature below, I have 2 BB's, a gen 1 sbc and a gen III (LS) sbc... These trucks just look 'right' to me with a big block under the hood.

[CST10]

I vote Big Block.

Everybody’s got an LS or a SBC. Be different and stand out from the crowd.

[midniteblues]

My 67 short step has a 30 over 454 with a 4 spd and skinny tires it's a fun truck too drive( it's just a cool cruiser) but it drinks alot and I feel a lot of that power is a bit useless....but it is ALOT of tire twisting fun.

Another one of mine is a completely different animal.
71 k20 400sbc granny 4.
The 4 sips compared too the BBC but it still pulls the heavier truck around with the feeling of the power is there if you need it.

If I come across anymore 400's I'm gonna hide them in the corner, awesome engines.

Neither are anything like the high winding 355 in my light car.
I have too twist that one up too make it do what the others do at a relaxed pace. But it's also built that way.

[Ironangel]

Originally Posted by CST10

I vote Big Block.

Everybody’s got an LS or a SBC. Be different and stand out from the crowd.

Amen! And Bandit, I too waited until retirement to "pick up" where I left off back in the early 70's...Girl-friend became a wife, she became a mother three times, I made a career out of staying alive 300 feet above the street. 45 years and $250,000.00 in child support later, I "picked up" Sally and Belle...They're old girls, dont get pregnant, but they sure do take all my money! That's why they're named after old girl friends...

[nlped]

I’ll be going 468 in Walter with a 4L80e. I already have the complete running motor, accessories etc that came in a vehicle I bought a few years ago, so it’s a no brainer for me.

And the sound of a built BBC is unmistakable when you roll in...& lift that hood up you have the added “WoW” factor.

[volksworld]

what fun is owning a big block if you dont put it in something...isnt the principle of building a hot rod to use what you've got rather than writing a check for the latest and greatest?

[harpo231]

Originally Posted by volksworld

what fun is owning a big block if you dont put it in something...isnt the principle of building a hot rod to use what you've got rather than writing a check for the latest and greatest?

no !

[Ekliptix]

350 to 402 conversion on my truck ended up being costly because of having to get all new motor mounts, accessory pulleys, new brackets etc. Re-using this stuff by staying small block saves a bunch of cash. I'm happy in the end though.

[gvw5400]

Many different ways to look at this situation.
What are you wanting to do, how much do you want to spend, and why?
You can hot rod a small block 350, or build a IHRA stroker pro stock "mountain motor".
Or you could go LS motor, from take out 5.3 with 225000 miles to crate motor LS-9 and add twin turbos. Remember all of these options can be ego driven.
Most important thing is to build/ buy what you want, and HAVE FUN. All the best, Dirk

[bandit0067]

Thanks Guys, some truly good thoughts here. I am a few months from retirement after 35 years at one employer and am planning for my glory days ahead. I still have my first car, my Dad bought me a 67 Camaro when i was 15, and you would freak at the number of motors , trannys and `12 bolts that thing has gone thru. While I really liked the 70 Chevelles, I wound up with all 69s.....still have six of them today. All of the big blocks that I collected and have hung on to, are ALL 396s for some reason.ha ha....no 454s. I also have a complete tuned port trans am with all the drive train that I was to swap some day....as well as a LS 1 engine, and about every cubic inch sbc they have made.
My daily work truck is my Dads 69 GMC truck he bought new when I was 12. Having gone thru 5 engines, it is approaching 1 million miles.
After collecting and restoring, restomoding, Chevelles, Camaros, Impalas, Vettes I got bored and started acquiring Chargers, and Challengers.
But now I got the hots to redo a 71 lwb that was a 350/350 when new. I picked this one up a few weeks ago and have been lurking here sucking up all the wonderful info many here have on all things considered on these trucks. This girly truck, which is what I call a truck with carpet in it, will be sporting the orange with white wide stripe between body moulding and white cab. My neighbor kids mother bought him a truck like this when I was 15 and I rode with him in it every morning to my first summer job in 1972....and have wanted one sense then. I want this one purty, but will be street driven and not a points correct restoration , not too concerned about gas mileage either.
As I am entering the last 1/3 of my time here, I was just wondering out loud, what of my large stash of parts to use on this project. thanks to all who posted.....the posts seems to be leaning to a bbc....me too

[Coley]

If you truck original was equipped and set up for a small block...then I am thinking the most economical route would be to go after a 383 or find a 400 sbc.
That way, you don't have the extra costs mentioned here regarding engine mounts, brackets, etc.....super easy interchange to put either of those in that truck and any future accessory can be found and had for pennies due to the economic and common nature of the SBC.
The upside of the 383/400sbc route is that you get a motor that is going to produce more torque....although not as much as a big block.

So here is the ultra/super big question.....what is your budget max for this? (that maybe should have been the first question....because we all get carried away with the 'sky is the limit' ideas, lol)

All good
Coley

[TCCGRIZ]

BBC and drive it like you stole it !!

[jocko]

Lots of variables - and answers to several questions may steer you in the best direction.

1) Did we establish that this is a C10? (and not a C20/30 Longhorn)? I may have missed it even though I read the thread - but I did so kinda quickly. If a C20/30, go with your 396/TH400 and enjoy.

2) What does "street driven" mean to you? (to some it means hairy burnouts and slamming on the brakes at the next red light). If you DON'T care to be doing burnouts in it, then skip the BBC route in a C10 (unless you just want one for sentimental reasons) - but it's not really necessary for a daily driver/runaround truck. It IS cool though .

3) For all your options, do you have all the pulleys, engine stands, etc (or, more appropriately, since it has the SBC stuff, do you have all the BBC amenities, pulleys, wp, brackets, engine stands, etc)?

4) 350 or 400 dilemma... I'm assuming you want to use what you have on hand since that's what you mention. If so, and you're not gonna do burnouts, and you just want to enjoy driving it, and it's not a C20/30 Longhorn, etc - I'd skip the 396/TH400 and just rebuild a nice 350 and enjoy it. 400 has more torque, but it comes down to whether or not you're comfortable living with the 400 sbc overheating myth or reality. I personally didn't like the design of the siamesed cylinders, however, myth or not, but folks have been driving .060 over 400 sbcs with no problems for decades, so it comes down to that personal decision for you. Of course folks that have never had one overheat will swear it is a myth - and those that have will never use one again. So it comes down to your personal comfort level.

5) Do you want to tow/haul or anything? If so, then the 400 and 396 are perhaps better options - and if you have the peripherals and brackets etc or don't mind spending the $ on them, I'd go with a 396/TH400 over the 400 sbc all day long.

Just my 2 cents. Nice to have options isn't it? If you really just want a nice driver and are going to focus your main effort son your barn of Chevelles, then the 350 may be just the ticket, and would be very original-ish.

Having said all that - if money isn't an issue, then I'd probably stick an HT383 in it (with some center bolt valve cover adapters so you can run original vc's, of course) and call it a day.

[Rufas]

Just a reminder...

There's no substitute for cubic inches!

I have a 518HP, 585 TQ, 468 BBC in my 67 Cutlass. Wish I had the money for a 502.

[BossHogg69]

^ That's a FINE looking big block right there!

[RANDY COX]

I dropped a 402 in my 64 4x4...

[bandit0067]

jocko, I posted my truck as a c/10 and that may not be right. I thought you guys say longhorn for a long bed truck and the Chevy c/10 is the same frame as my GMC 1500 frame.....and that a C/20 was a 2500 frame....so I may incorrect with that.
Now several have stated the big block frame brackets are quite expensive and I have not looked those up yet but don t think that will be a problem.
Also, I have all kinds of brackets for big blocks and just assume most all those that work for my Chevelles will work when placed in the 71.
I am also assuming that the bb swap into a sb spot will not require any major suspension part changes. Like if you put a bb into a Camaro with sb springs, your suspension will pretty much bottom out.....so new correct springs are a must. I do want to retain power steering and brakes. It s time to get the engine and tranny done now while I m not on a "fixed " income, yet....lol.

[CST10]

Go big block for the WOW factor and to be different.

[hdff]

No comment needed, the pic says it all

[ZEKE68]

Getting close!