67/78 Big Block Swap Questions

[BMERDOC]

Ok, once again someone is askin about a big block swap. This time its me so...

I found a low mileage, cheap 78 Suburban. Its 2WD with a 454/400 combo. I plan to clean it up and resell it. From what I've seen the market isn't all that good for these trucks and it may be better to part it out.

IIIFFF I do part it out I'd like to keep the eng/trans combo, front crossmember, steering stuff and brakes for my '67. So that I dont miss anything what do you suggest I pull off of it for my truck?

It seems the fuel tank is good, I think the booster to v/c clearance isn't enough when swapping into this chassis. If it isn't I may elect to go hydraboost. Can I swap in the rad without issues? From what I know the motor brackets and mounts will swap fine because I'll be using the crossmember too. Can I use the tranny member? Can I keep the stock exhaust manifolds for now? I can't remember if it has A.I.R. or not. I'm not sure if the tranny cooler lines will go in nicely. Will the steering box connect to my stock column? Im not sure if I can swap out the later column.

If it matters, it currently has a 250/3ott

I know the last paragraph skips and jumps, consider it brain storming. Any input would be awesome! Thanks in advance guys!

[prostreetC-10]

Did I understand that right......you are going to swap the front X member? Guess that's one way of getting the disc brakes to work. Do those in fact swap? I didn't think that much stuff would swap. This will be a learning event for me.

[BMERDOC]

Yes sir, You understood that correctly! As far as I know its a direct swap except elongating and possibly massaging several bolt holes in the frame. Should be an ALMOST direct swap from 63-72. My plan would be to pull the front clips and go swap crazy. Several of the guys at work are hard about it and wanna throwdown. Should be pretty easy for 90% of it but I wanna get down to dirty details before I get started.

[CC69Rat]

Yep .. mine has the 84 front end swap F44 HD 1.25" rotors, Big Block. It can be done.

[shawno72]

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[BMERDOC]

Im sure it can and thank you for the reinforcement but Im looking for details. Ill give the truck a while to sell but if it doesnt Im shoe horning the big monster between the frame rails. What I'm looking for is details. If it doesnt sell, I will have a complete truck to swap the parts over to my truck. I just need a shopping list so I dont ship out an incredibly hard to find part that shoulda went to my project.

[BMERDOC]

Shawno72 are you watchin me?

[CC69Rat]

When I bought my truck the swap had already been done. As far as a 'list' of things you'll need, I'll see if I can help put it together but .. I'm really in the same boat as you are. From what the guy told me it was a straight forward swap. You do need to drill two new holes but it doesn't sound too bad.

I can send / post pictures of mine if it helps.

[BMERDOC]

CC69RAT, did your truck have a deep gear? This thing acts like it has a 7.00:1! I may have to swap diffs but I may leave it as is until either I get tired of burning up tires, doing 180s at the stop light or break something.

[CC69Rat]

No, it's a peg leg 3:73 (for now) just haven't gotten to it yet .. I'll put a Posi in it eventually.

[BMERDOC]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

Shawno72 are you watchin me?

That was supposed to come off funny but I was talking while typing.

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

That was supposed to come off funny but I was talking while typing.

That is funny cause I am watching you actually I have always been kicking around the idea of a bb so just watching to see what's going to be on the list of parts needs.
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[CC69Rat]

Yep .. you need a Big'em Block! I like the LS stuff too but there's just something about the sound of a big block. I know it's nose heavy, etc. etc. .. but still. I'm not going to be auto crossing, I had this BB from a 69 Camaro I was working on and sold so I just used it. It is an original 69 Camaro 350hp 396 block +.0060 with some head work and other goodies..

[BMERDOC]

I like the LS stuff too but I want something with a carb and dizzy seein as how I get my fill of technology at work. The alure of a BBC is too much. My truck HAS to be a runner because I want to enjoy it on the street and not in the garage. So that means down time must be minimal. I dont want parts scattered for the next year. It just needs to be in, complete and running. When it comes time for The Ultimate Build down time wont matter.

[CC69Rat]

Fuel Injected BBC ?

[BMERDOC]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Fuel Injected BBC ?

Maybe during The Ultimate Build but not now. It would have to some kinda TBI setup because I was rocked by what N2Billet did with Hazel's RestoMod style motor. I like to do something along those same lines eventually.

[CC69Rat]

Everything he touches turns to gold. That dude is incredible. But, I know what you mean. I'm looking for one of those stock lookin engine bays too, just for my daily. Nothing like Keith's stuff of course but just clean, stock and detailed. Even an old 2bbl would be cool with me.

Jonathan had one of the high nickel 0010 (350 4 bolt) blocks he was talking about selling (?) Might be an option and he's not far from you. Or, the 350/290hp GMPP motors are pretty impressive. I got a bad one (bad valve seals) but I understand they have corrected the issue with QC. $1800 it's tough to beat. A Holley 650, HEI, headers, RPM intake, etc .. you'll be in the 325hp range easily and they get decent mileage as long as you break them in properly. (good ring seat / compression) They're running .222 cam at 112 LSA as I recall ? Not 100% sure about that. .. but mine thumped pretty good in my old 69 Camaro. Not a fire breathing big block, .. but it ran pretty decent. TH350, stock converter, 3:08s, flows, just the basics I got 18mpg or so.

[BMERDOC]

I donlt plan to do a lot to it. I'll have to research the '78 454 specs but it should have great compression. It will probably get a cam and some other things for insurance but not much else.

So a bump for the shopping list...

[BMERDOC]

Bump with a question. Can I use my stock inline 6 stands with the 78 Burb 454 and front crossmember for more setback? I have heard about keeping them for setback but I'm not sure if thats with an SBC. IIRC, the BBC difference in length is ahead of the engine mounts. The cab is a low hump. As I understand it, it goes in but its tight. I wouldn't be against swapping out to a high hump because the current hump has been air chiseled for a floor mount conversion and I've been thinkin' about moving the shifter back to the column with the auto.

[VA72C10]

I think most use the 73-up mounts with a big block. They look just like 72 specific bb mounts except two humps at the top instead of one...just drill holes in the top of the frame where you need them to be...usually one of the orig. holes lines up....

[BMERDOC]

Thanks Jonathan, I remember hearing that the 73-87 stands need a frame spacer if using the 67-72 crossmember but can run without the spacer if using the matching crossmember. Correct?

[johndawelder]

I used an S-10 blazer master/booster to give me some valve cover clearance.Pretty much a bolt on.I think I had to drill a couple of holes.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

Thanks Jonathan, I remember hearing that the 73-87 stands need a frame spacer if using the 67-72 crossmember but can run without the spacer if using the matching crossmember. Correct?

I have seen them run w/out spacers....but every truck is a little different

[BMERDOC]

So I dug and found that the radiator would be a drop in for this swap. Are the frames so different or the motor placement so different that the trans cooler lines wont drop right in?

Radiator thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=360606