What models should I look for a BBC in? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

moregrip · 07-01-2013, 06:50 PM

Heading out to the local pick and pull soon and was wondering what years/vehicles I should be looking at to pick up a BBC motor? I'm not as familiar with the BBC variances as I am with SBC and LS motors.

LONGHAIR · 07-01-2013, 07:46 PM

Unless you are lucky enough to have a yard that has some older vehicles, you are really only going to find bigblocks in pick.up trucks.
If you do indeed have such a place, you could theoretically find one in quite a few different cars. Of course all of the "performance" cars could have had them, but the big "boat" cars could too....even station wagons.

Not a lot of help, sorry.

86c20 · 07-01-2013, 09:14 PM

better off on criags list man. finding bb is a thing of the past. unless its a 366 pos.

motornut · 07-01-2013, 10:13 PM

may find it in a complete car/truck
but my firebird and olds both had buick blocks
watch for the older 350 blocks,in the Buick,Pontiacs,Olds
might look bigger just not bigger cubes

Aaron_L · 07-02-2013, 12:02 AM

Pretty much just 3/4 ton or 1 ton trucks, motorhomes, etc. All will be low compression with crap heads. Bigger trucks like C60's had tall deck motors which I personally wouldn't use.

KQQL IT · 07-02-2013, 02:23 AM

3/4 and 1 ton pickups.
Posted via Mobile Device

BigBlocksRule · 07-02-2013, 07:26 AM

Gotta watch out for 366's, they look like any other tall deck block.
Best engines generally come out of heavier vehicles - they're geared so the engine doesn't have to rev too high. 3/4 and 1-ton trucks are best candidates, bigger generally have tall deck blocks. Look at the top water pump holes into the block - it's about 1/4" on a passenger deck block, more like 3/4" on a tall deck. Plus some have double thermostats, can't miss those.
If you can't find anything, let me know, we still have plenty around here.

cdowns · 07-02-2013, 11:21 AM

pick and pull yards here pull most of all the good stuff b4 they put vehicles out to the public// so most vehicles with motors still in them are non rebuildable POS

i see quite a few BBC on craigs on a regular basis

what type of motor r u lookin to build?? the old school big block or new school roller injected type wood make a dif when lookin for a core for building

SanitysBane · 07-02-2013, 11:43 AM

Your best bet is going to be a truck. GM stopped putting BBC in cars sometime around the mid 70s and I think only Impalas had them.

Look for an 87 and older truck. The 91 trucks had the Gen V motor that can only accept Gen 5 heads and has no provisions for a mechanical clutch. Gen VI motors came out in 96 and solved that issue, but the timing cover and oil pan are specific to the Gen VI, Gen V and Mark IV blocks.

I cannot remember the measurement but the easy way to tell the difference between a tall deck and a short deck is to measure the distance between the top of the timing chain cover and the bottom of the intake manifold.

moregrip · 07-02-2013, 09:51 PM

Thanks for the advice/insight. I'll report back and tell you what I find.
Posted via Mobile Device

07-01-2013, 06:50 PM	#1
moregrip Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 810	What models should I look for a BBC in? Heading out to the local pick and pull soon and was wondering what years/vehicles I should be looking at to pick up a BBC motor? I'm not as familiar with the BBC variances as I am with SBC and LS motors. __________________ 1983 Chevy C10 250/3spd (current project truck) 1976 Chevy C10 350/350 Heavy Half (future project truck)

07-01-2013, 09:14 PM	#3
86c20 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: edgartown mass Posts: 852	Re: What models should I look for a BBC in? better off on criags list man. finding bb is a thing of the past. unless its a 366 pos. __________________ 1986 c20 "the hillbilly" 350 sm465 3.42gears 21mpg at 70mph 1985 k30 "the ice cream truck from hell" no rust az truck 197-8??? c30 "ramp truck" 454 1978 monte carlo 350 350th with 2.73 gears. no rust. sc car

07-01-2013, 10:13 PM	#4
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: What models should I look for a BBC in? may find it in a complete car/truck but my firebird and olds both had buick blocks watch for the older 350 blocks,in the Buick,Pontiacs,Olds might look bigger just not bigger cubes __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

07-02-2013, 12:02 AM	#5
Aaron_L Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Arlington Texas Posts: 56	Re: What models should I look for a BBC in? Pretty much just 3/4 ton or 1 ton trucks, motorhomes, etc. All will be low compression with crap heads. Bigger trucks like C60's had tall deck motors which I personally wouldn't use.

07-02-2013, 02:23 AM	#6
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,231	Re: What models should I look for a BBC in? 3/4 and 1 ton pickups. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

07-02-2013, 07:26 AM	#7
BigBlocksRule Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 2,047	Re: What models should I look for a BBC in? Gotta watch out for 366's, they look like any other tall deck block. Best engines generally come out of heavier vehicles - they're geared so the engine doesn't have to rev too high. 3/4 and 1-ton trucks are best candidates, bigger generally have tall deck blocks. Look at the top water pump holes into the block - it's about 1/4" on a passenger deck block, more like 3/4" on a tall deck. Plus some have double thermostats, can't miss those. If you can't find anything, let me know, we still have plenty around here.

07-02-2013, 11:21 AM	#8
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: What models should I look for a BBC in? pick and pull yards here pull most of all the good stuff b4 they put vehicles out to the public// so most vehicles with motors still in them are non rebuildable POS i see quite a few BBC on craigs on a regular basis what type of motor r u lookin to build?? the old school big block or new school roller injected type wood make a dif when lookin for a core for building __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

07-02-2013, 11:43 AM	#9
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	Re: What models should I look for a BBC in? Your best bet is going to be a truck. GM stopped putting BBC in cars sometime around the mid 70s and I think only Impalas had them. Look for an 87 and older truck. The 91 trucks had the Gen V motor that can only accept Gen 5 heads and has no provisions for a mechanical clutch. Gen VI motors came out in 96 and solved that issue, but the timing cover and oil pan are specific to the Gen VI, Gen V and Mark IV blocks. I cannot remember the measurement but the easy way to tell the difference between a tall deck and a short deck is to measure the distance between the top of the timing chain cover and the bottom of the intake manifold. __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

07-02-2013, 09:51 PM	#10
moregrip Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 810	Re: What models should I look for a BBC in? Thanks for the advice/insight. I'll report back and tell you what I find. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1983 Chevy C10 250/3spd (current project truck) 1976 Chevy C10 350/350 Heavy Half (future project truck)



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