BBC too much for straight axle?

[53 292]

I have a friend with a 454 big block that he's trying to sell. I'm pretty sure dropping it in the stock engine compartment would involve more cutting than I want to do, especially having to deal with re doing the steering. But I was also wondering about whether or not the stock axle could handle the weight. Any thoughts?

[OrrieG]

Not an issue, the stock six with cast iron bellhousing and 4 speed transmission weighs more than the BBC with aluminum bellhousing and transmission.

[Bad Apache]

I have a 454 in my Task Force with the stock axle. Not apples to apples, but it works well. Now making it fit in an AD doesn't look so easy.

[tmoble]

no problem for the axle, but I'd caution you about using any kind of motor mounting scheme that involves a bracket that cantilevers the weight off the inside of the frame rail. You will want a crossmember setup that supports the weight more or less like a stock setup.

you might also want to think about the stock steering and brakes are going to cope with big block power.

[mr48chev]

you are adding about 110 lbs over what a small block would weigh according to this http://carnut.com/specs/engdim.html Of course there are lots of other factors involved including how many cast iron pieces have been swapped out for aluminum parts.

Years ago we put a 396 in my buddy's 41 Chev pickup and it actually fit with less hassle than some of the small block swaps guys including myself were doing at the time. I'm not sure what would be the case though. I drove his truck with stock steering and stock suspension a few times and it didn't have any issues because of the added weight.

[53 292]

Thanks for the ideas, I think I'm still set on a small block for now and save the big block for another project. It just seems like a lot less of a hassle and less reworking/cutting to make it work. Now to find a good small block to swap in..