Help with BBC in a 67 C-10

[kell490]

I have been working on this for years just now getting to the point where I can mount the engine. I just assumed pickup would have enough room I'm having issues with the tall valve covers hitting firewall. 20/20 hindsight I would have gone with a 68. I'm also using those CPP engine mounts maybe that's the problem need stock engine mounts so it sits lower. I bought the truck had a 350 SBC in it. I can look into smaller valve covers but I see pictures up here with BBC tall covers any ideas would help I can get stock engine mounts ditch the CPP mounts.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Generally, BBC valve covers were lower, IIRC. The PO put a 454 in my '67 K/10 Suburban. The valve covers were chrome, so aftermarket, but a lower profile than your fancy welded aluminum ones. But those sure look slick. Will they clear a power brake diaphragm?

[68bowtie]

hmm. i've been planning on fabricated aluminum vc's for my 68. sounds like i might need to rethink that...

[68bowtie]

wait a second. this pic is an original bbc setup in a 71 c20. i know these are short vc's, but it looks like there's plenty of clearance to the firewall???

[kell490]

My understanding that the 67 never came with a BBC option where the 68-72 did offer a 396CI engine so if you have a 68-72 it was actually an option and should fit. My truck originally had a 6 cylinder prior to someone converting it to a 350 SBC when I bought it. Those covers I got on ebay they cost me like $50 new some cheap chinese copy of someone else's they fit the engine perfect they looked great I wanted the engine look big when you popped the hood. I can't use stock valve covers because my rockers are comp cams full rollers they won't fit. I'm going to drop by my local speed shop they see what they have which are little smaller but still work with the roller rockers. I just wanted to check in here see if it's possible the engine needs to go lower and tilt back some. My oil pan is coming real close to the steering center link. If you're planning on a BBC in one of these I would re-think it and go with the small block lot easier and cheaper. I saw so many small blocks running around town I wanted to be different but it's been a long road I started the tear down in 2011 and had a lot of bumps in the road. The longer you take building these trucks the more money you spend.

Another issue I ran into was the headers I found these long time ago custom made 2" primary and 3" collectors I thought how much those will flow, but now I'm regretting it and can see why most name brands like hooker and headmen are 1 1/2 primary tube they have more room to fit less cutting and grinding.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by kell490

I have been working on this for years just now getting to the point where I can mount the engine. I just assumed pickup would have enough room I'm having issues with the tall valve covers hitting firewall. 20/20 hindsight I would have gone with a 68. I'm also using those CPP engine mounts maybe that's the problem need stock engine mounts so it sits lower. I bought the truck had a 350 SBC in it. I can look into smaller valve covers but I see pictures up here with BBC tall covers any ideas would help I can get stock engine mounts ditch the CPP mounts.

There is no difference in the '67 and '68 engine compartments, or any other year for that matter, up to '72. It looks like your engine frame brackets are in the front set of holes, so you should have plenty of firewall clearance. My '67 shortie had a 454 and th400 in it with no clearance problems. Granted it had stock valve covers but there is no doubt in my mind that I could have used the same covers you have. I think your problem is the engine frame brackets that you are using. It's kind of hard to tell from the pictures but it looks like they are designed to move the engine back to clear the headers. If you installed the correct '69-'71 BB frame brackets and headers to match, I don't think you would have the problems with the firewall.

Can you take a straight on side picture on the order of the one 68bowtie posted?

LockDoc

[Tom Vogel]

These BBs will fit in all 67-72. I used stock mounts with poly isolators, no problem. With tall aluminum valve covers they are close. I have comp rollers as well. You will need to trim the valve covers a bit and have some small pieces tig welded in. That's what I did, and they will still easily clear you rockers. Wish I had a better pic for you, mine are painted black, but you get the idea.
As for the headers, mine have 2 1/8" primary's and they are clearing everything fine, but they were custom made for the truck. Nothing is as cheap and easy as we would like, but nobody rides for free, lol.

[PanelDeland]

"If it was easy, everyone would be doing it."

[kell490]

It may be easy but it's sure not cheap I actually started to build a SBC for it but figured only a few grand more i could have a BB but 8k later I had it built LOL.

I think you're right about the mounts which are Performance online line aftermarket needs to go back and down maybe I'll get some stock frame mounts.

[kell490]

I figured out the problem I had the engine frame mounts backwards there was a small offset which caused the engine to sit back too far once I swapped them all the existing bolt holes lined up looks good now the crank pulley comes close to the cross member but I think it will clear. Just need to test fit the headers again start bolting the transmission on get everything ready to drop in. Thanks for the help. The big block sits farther forward but I knew it needed to go in the front holes at least that is what I read. The radiator will come close has a long water pump hope everything fits I can always go with electric fan.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by kell490

I figured out the problem I had the engine frame mounts backwards there was a small offset which caused the engine to sit back too far once I swapped them all the existing bolt holes lined up looks good now the crank pulley comes close to the cross member but I think it will clear. Just need to test fit the headers again start bolting the transmission on get everything ready to drop in. Thanks for the help. The big block sits farther forward but I knew it needed to go in the front holes at least that is what I read. The radiator will come close has a long water pump hope everything fits I can always go with electric fan.

Good deal! Glad you figured it out. I hope everything goes together smooth from here on out.

LockDoc

['68OrangeSunshine]

Cool, now you don't have to change those valve covers to a more mundane, lower-profile, set.
What distributor is that? Looks like now you have room for a coil-in-cap HEI. With the 4x4 and an SBC the fit is tight, and the cap has to come off before pulling the distributor body.