Progress + pics - Big block swap into the 72 Super

[Ekliptix]

Parts arrived so I figured I'd post an update.

Current drivetrain:

• Original and tired 350
• Original Turbo 350 trans
• non posi rear end
• stock 3.08 gears

Going in:

• 402 from 1970 C10 with
• - Edelbrock heads
• - Comp cam
• - Edelbrock intake
• - Quick fuel carb
• - Dyno'ed 430hp/460lb-ft tq.
  
• Ordered and arrived in Sweetgrass, MT. Picked up in Friday and drove back up to Canada with:
• TCI 700R4 Streetfighter kit
• Short water pump
• Brackets and pullys for AC, PS, Alternator from http://www.alangrovecomponents.com/. Will be painting them meduim black.
• New style AC compressor
• Hooker ceramic coated headers
• Eaton rear posi
• 3.73 gears and install kit
• 3" exhaust kit (to use for fabrication)
• 3" x-pipe
• Spintech sportman street 3000 series mufflers (after a lot of research)
• CCP transmission cross member for more exhaust clearance
• CPP drop member cross member to route exhaust through
• Big block fuel pump
• New OD lens for column to show the extra gear
• CPP transmission linkage
• MT Drag radials P295/55R15 to go on a set of 15" rally rims I picked up locally for cheap.
• Big block fan shroud
• Big Block Motor Mount Perches
• New radiator hoses

Phew, my credit card is still cooling down after that order.
Still to find is an original style air cleaner. And I failed to order the parts of the engine mounts that attach to the block itself. Will pick up locally.


I'm having a retired mechanic who restores classic cars take on most of the work. I'll be helping him where possible. I dropped all the parts off yesterday and am bringing the truck tonight. Unfortunately, this is more of a bought not built event for convenience + time sake. But, I'll be learning a lot along the way working together with the mechanic.


I already painted the engine. I have orange valve covers too, which will be going on.

Engine dyno


As received


prepped (degreased, sanded, degreased some more) and primed (2 coats)


3 coats of orange


After 2 coats of clear and put back together. Will look even better with the orange valve covers back on. Undecided on painting the intake orange or not. Can decide later.


Cleaned up the extra set of rallys, got 'em all for $200CAD/$150USD. To mount the drag radials on for track visits.



Friday trip to the USA (Sweet Grass, MT) to pick up the parts ordered. The red line is the Canada/US boarder.




Christmas time



The 'before' engine bay photo


Obligatory exterior photo. I expect the front will be sitting a bit lower after the BB is installed. I have 1/2" rear drop blocks to add too, plus a CPP rear sway bar that's been sitting around for 6 months.


Will update as things progress.

[Dad's72]

That simple green PRO HD will take your breath away wont it? I am about to start my build thread since I got my motor in. I am going to degrease it with that same stuff, powerwash it, paint it before I install it, and paint the inside of the engine bay as well.

Do you dilute 3 to 1 like the instructions say or just spray strait up?

[Dad's72]

That is a dang good looking truck. Probably my favorite I have seen. Stance is perfect. And I wish I could find me a decent pair of Rally's around town for mine. I am going to keep hunting for them.

[Ekliptix]

Originally Posted by Dad's72

That simple green PRO HD will take your breath away wont it? I am about to start my build thread since I got my motor in. I am going to degrease it with that same stuff, powerwash it, paint it before I install it, and paint the inside of the engine bay as well.

Do you dilute 3 to 1 like the instructions say or just spray strait up?

That is a dang good looking truck. Probably my favorite I have seen. Stance is perfect. And I wish I could find me a decent pair of Rally's around town for mine. I am going to keep hunting for them.

I think I diluted the simple green more like 2 cups per litre (8 cups per gallon), or something for the wheels. Can't recall exactly. I plan to use it on the underside of the truck to clean up oil/grease that's gradually found it's way around.

Rally rims sell for a lot on ebay. You'll have better luck with Craigslist.

[68350]

I'm sure you know, but those MT drag radials are scary on rain or any kind of wet condition. They are like ice skates. Now for dry conditions, I love em. They are a lot of fun. Your truck is gorgeous and it looks like it's about to get even better!

[Ekliptix]

Originally Posted by 68350

I'm sure you know, but those MT drag radials are scary on rain or any kind of wet condition. They are like ice skates. Now for dry conditions, I love em. They are a lot of fun. Your truck is gorgeous and it looks like it's about to get even better!

I'm definitely aware. The drag radials will be hauled in the bed to the drag strip.

[robs71]

Nice to see a good healthy big block going in that beautiful truck.That will be a strong runner when your done.I am all into the old school big blocks.Nice job all around!!

[wshattuck]

I gotta tell you I love that color green on your truck!!!

[Mike C]

I'm putting together a '69 390 hp 427 for my '69 short step and am painting it/dressing it up to look stock as wel. My air cleaner solution is a dual snorkel from a 70-72 Camaro. Either Z/28 or big block. Uses a standard 14"x3" filter element.

Great project you have going, looks like fun!

Edit: even better, the 70 Camaro air cleaner is designed for a Holley so has clearance bumps for the float bowl adjustment nuts. I also bought reproduction steel fuel lines and brass block along with 68 Camaro big block deep groove short pump pulleys.

[Boatracer]

Nice work, love that color green too.

[7dee2]

I'm in cool project sir!

[engineer_gregh]

Im in. Awesome.

[68is4me]

Very nice looking truck.

I like that you painted the aluminum heads. very sneaky. I was always going to do that just don't have the heart to cover up that pretty looking aluminum. I think grinding off the edelbrock on the intake and painting that orange would look sharp too.

[Ekliptix]

Thanks. I know some ppl really want the fact that they have aluminium heads to be visible. Not me. I didn't have the patience to fill in the Edelbrock recess in the heads, but most ppl won't notice. Good idea about grinding off Edelbrock from the intake if I end up painting it.

This fellow's engine bay is a bit of an inspiration to me: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=132

Mike C, thanks for the info on similar looking air cleaners. I'll probably do that while I keep looking for a C10 one.

[Tom Vogel]

Nothing... I mean Nothing sounds like a big block. Its as unmistakable as a Harley V-twin. Like music.
Oh yea, torque is great too I guess. lol

[Mike C]

My motor is iron head still so not a problem. I was going to go with the Edelbrock Performer RPM oval but after analyzing dozens of online pics it seems the GM Performance parts intake is the same. So instead of having to grind off the Edelbrock I will just leave the Bowtie figuring most people won't have a clue.

Originally Posted by Ekliptix

Thanks. I know some ppl really want the fact that they have aluminium heads to be visible. Not me. I didn't have the patience to fill in the Edelbrock recess in the heads, but most ppl won't notice. Good idea about grinding off Edelbrock from the intake if I end up painting it.

This fellow's engine bay is a bit of an inspiration to me: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=132

Mike C, thanks for the info on similar looking air cleaners. I'll probably do that while I keep looking for a C10 one.

[Ekliptix]

Found the aircleaner I need on ebay. Not cheap but I'm told they're hard to come by so decided to snap it up. Already have the Keep it GM sticker.

[Already Gone]

I'm surprised you are not going with a dual snorkel air cleaner rso that BB can breath a little better. One from a 72 Camaro Z28 will work on your truck and look like it belongs. The attached pics are form one I found on Ebay. If you didn't want the chrome lid you could probably use the original black one from your truck.

[Mike C]

Nice. And original. But the Z/28 air cleaner flows almost 4 times as much air. And it clears the Holley float bowls without a carb riser/spacer. And let's you use any 14x3 performance filter element.

It's not cheap either, but you do have a 400+ hp big block to feed!

[Ekliptix]

I hear you about the OEM air clearer potentially restricting HP.
My plans are:
a) drill a bunch or large holes in the bottom of the air cleaner, out of sight. I've heard of someone else doing this, but am not such a fan of ripping up a $200 air cleaner.
b) from what I know the snout is the rare/unique portion of the OEM truck air cleaner. If I can transfer the truck air cleaner snout to a more generic (Camaro, Chevelle) air cleaner casing, I'll drill holes in the base of the generic air cleaner for more flow, saving the OEM style casing for 'shows'.

[Mike C]

I would just run the Z/28 air cleaner and I have already purchased one. I have an original big block one off my old 70 GMC though. (Rock Auto has 14x3 re-usable oiled cotton gauze Air Hog Fram filters for $1.75 BTW!) Rock Auto cheapest place I found the Camaro air cleaner as well.

The way you do holes for more flow into the stock filter is to use a chassis punch and put 1 1/2" holes around the circumference of the outside rear of the air cleaner housing. The area just in front of and to both sides of the distributor.

But for a driver, I would just run the Z/28 air cleaner to which 99% of the people will think is stock. The bigger tip off is the air gap manifold to anybody in the know.

[Ekliptix]

I don't hate that idea, and the hole idea you mentioned is exactly what i was thinking.

There appear to be 2 style Z/28 air cleaners. The first one below looks closer to the truck style.

[NJRC10]

You can also just flip your lid of your air cleaner over like we did in the old days!!!!

[Mike C]

The one on the left is a cowl induction air cleaner missing the seal and the extension depending on the motor. But the lid is smaller than the base leaving the whole element exposed to fresh air sealed to the hood.

The one on the right is the 70-72 Z/28 and SS396 Camaro air cleaner which is what I bought for my '69 short step with it's soon to be installed 427.

Edit: You can buy it with either chrome or black lid on Rock Auto or any of the Camaro Parts guys. Rock Auto is where I found it cheaper. No need to mess with modifying an original and you don't have the "missing parts" of the hot air stove and vacuum door.

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by NJRC10

You can also just flip your lid of your air cleaner over like we did in the old days!!!!

Seems like the simplest solution...