Swapping from 327 to 454

[jumpsoffrock]

I have spent all of my time on this forum in the Heavy section. I have a C50 Heavy Hauler but got no replies in that forum. It came with a 327 that it still has and runs actually pretty strong but uses a gallon of oil per mile without smoking.

I was advised to go 454 rather than building a 383 stoker because I'd get more torque for my money. The reason for going 383 was that I assume I wouldn't need to change anything, it'd drop right in; but the torque of a 454 did sound nice.

Does anyone know if swapping a BBC into a C50 is any different than a c10/20?
What needs to be overcome to do this swap? Is it particularly invasive and expensive?


Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks y'all.

[LockDoc]

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See if there is anything in this thread that will help.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=800919

LockDoc

[jumpsoffrock]

That thread alone is very helpful, thank you very much! Quite frankly I think I might be reconsidering a 383 versus remounting the trans crossmember and shortening the driveshaft...

[Mike C]

If I was starting from scratch like you and had no BB parts, I would also go 383. And if you had a little more $ to throw at it, maybe even a 415 or 434. SO much easier to use all the parts you have and not have to get more.

383 an excellent bang for the buck. While I have a bunch of big blocks, am planning a 383 build for my Jimmy for all of those reasons.

[palallin]

A moment of Devil's Advocate: all the parts for the BBC should be easy to find as so many of those trucks came with 427s.

[sick472]

Not that I am even a heavy truck novice or even close...basic things to vet out by just upping from 327 to 383 would be...

Radiator cooling capacity - Often times a bigger engine means bigger radiator.

Larger exhaust/intake manifolds may be needed with more flow potential.

Maybe even a larger carb.

I'm not sure how far you plan to go...I guess you are trying to figure that out, so I am just throwing in my 2 cents. I can certainly understand the urge to go BB, but that definitely changes the budget.

I wonder if the front suspension would need heavier springs if you went BB???

[kwmech]

4BT with an allison....just throwing it out there

[crazyjeenyus]

Originally Posted by jumpsoffrock

I have spent all of my time on this forum in the Heavy section. I have a C50 Heavy Hauler but got no replies in that forum. It came with a 327 that it still has and runs actually pretty strong but uses a gallon of oil per mile without smoking.

I was advised to go 454 rather than building a 383 stoker because I'd get more torque for my money. The reason for going 383 was that I assume I wouldn't need to change anything, it'd drop right in; but the torque of a 454 did sound nice.

Does anyone know if swapping a BBC into a C50 is any different than a c10/20?
What needs to be overcome to do this swap? Is it particularly invasive and expensive?


Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks y'all.

Where is the "heavy" section of this forum? Sounds like a place I'd like to check out.

[sick472]

Originally Posted by crazyjeenyus

Where is the "heavy" section of this forum? Sounds like a place I'd like to check out.

Here you go...

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...play.php?f=239

[jumpsoffrock]

Originally Posted by palallin

A moment of Devil's Advocate: all the parts for the BBC should be easy to find as so many of those trucks came with 427s.

Yes and also the tall-deck 366's. The parts may not be too hard to find at all, and im assuming the engine mounted parts could come from any BBC.

Originally Posted by sick472

Not that I am even a heavy truck novice or even close...basic things to vet out by just upping from 327 to 383 would be...

Radiator cooling capacity - Often times a bigger engine means bigger radiator.

Larger exhaust/intake manifolds may be needed with more flow potential.

Maybe even a larger carb.

I'm not sure how far you plan to go...I guess you are trying to figure that out, so I am just throwing in my 2 cents. I can certainly understand the urge to go BB, but that definitely changes the budget.

I wonder if the front suspension would need heavier springs if you went BB???

Yes, you are a bit new, hehehe. The radiators are all huge for medium duty trucks, larger than a light duty. I also have the HD cooling rad as well, I am confident it could handle a BBC.

Exhaust would be completely replaced. Most of it is original and atrocious.

Carb now is a 2bbl....I don't even think there's such thing as a 2bbl intake that was ever prodiced for BBC.....were there?

LOL @ front suspension.
Man this truck has 7,000 lbs. springs for the front end, I think we're good.

Originally Posted by kwmech

4BT with an allison....just throwing it out there

Easy Easy there. I haven't even got an engine yet.





Thank you all for the posts, I hope you don't take me too seriously. I really want this swap, but I also don't know a lot about swaps, soooo....

[Sheepdip]

Your truck ...but in a big husky fellow like that I'd find a Cummins Powered parts truck and swap it out.