4x4 Big Block guru questions

[RANDY COX]

Ok I have a 1970 4x4 frame will a big block engine bolt to my engine crossmember, or will it have to be modified...

[72chevyk10]

yes, if you use the mounts off the small block. depending on the oil pan.. ive seen one that was more sloped on the way to the sump. the one i have is pretty flat till the sump and fits just fine.

[kwmech]

Do yourself a favor.......at the same time move the cross member forward about an 1-1/2'' to 2''

[72chevyk10]

^^ yes forgot that. had to beat the snot out of the firewall to clear the valve covers and big hei when it was in the stock spot.

[RANDY COX]

Ok thanks guys this engine I believe still has the points distr. and it has low profile valve covers, so hopefully it will slide rightin...

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by RANDY COX

Ok thanks guys this engine I believe still has the points distr. and it has low profile valve covers, so hopefully it will slide rightin...

It'll still hit. get out a hammer or move it.

[PeterHall]

We're putting a 454/480le in a 72 k20. Used an adapter to connect the transfer case to the transmission. It pushed the motor forward enough to clear the firewall. Retained stock driveshafts and transfer case cross member. Also using electric fans to make up for pushing the engine forward.

We used small block engine mounts. Flipped the cross member 180 degrees and ground down the outer edges to fit in location. This made a ton of room for oil pan.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by PeterHall

We're putting a 454/480le in a 72 k20. Used an adapter to connect the transfer case to the transmission. It pushed the motor forward enough to clear the firewall. Retained stock driveshafts and transfer case cross member. Also using electric fans to make up for pushing the engine forward.

We used small block engine mounts. Flipped the cross member 180 degrees and ground down the outer edges to fit in location. This made a ton of room for oil pan.

IM running into this dilema right now. 454 in my blazer. It has been moved forward a bit by the previous owner but i dont know how far. I put a th400 with a mp205 and it moved the transfer case back 2 inches. None of my drivelines fit. The 454 fits in there nice, it clears the firewall but i dont know if i have another 2 inches to move forward. I wish i knew how far the po moved it to begin with.

[72chevyk10]

if you still have the original holes the th400 in mine pushed the engine forward about 2in. left the xfer case crossmember in stock spot and deemed the drive shafts "close enough" haha

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by 72chevyk10

if you still have the original holes the th400 in mine pushed the engine forward about 2in. left the xfer case crossmember in stock spot and deemed the drive shafts "close enough" haha

mines a blazer though. I dont know if thats different.. My issues are i have no idea where stock was on the crossmember on the trans or the engine. They have both been moved. I plan on going electric fans so thats not a big deal, i jsut dont know if i can move the engine forward more. I have like 2 inches on the passenger side valve cover and an inch on the drivers side.

[RANDY COX]

Mine is a mixed breed, it's a 70 4x4 frame with a 64 Cab so Not exactly sure how the firewall will play out There was a V-8 in there before and it did have HEI and I know it was close but this engine the 402 still has points distr.... But might have an issue with valve covers they are low profile so I guess I'll find out sometime....

[dennislbrooks]

I agree with kwmech, my bbc was pushed forward by the location of the trans and 208np transfer case which I adjusted the position of the motor mount towers--this was a good thing I think - did not want to move everything else back. I wanted to use a stock type exhaust so I ended up raising the side mounts 1/2 ". There are a few diff ways all this could be done. I did use BBC towers and mounts but if I did it again I would just use/modify the small block mounts.

['63GENIII]

If my engine compartment was that clean, I wouldn't recognize my truck.

[RANDY COX]

well it's in there now buuuuuuuuuuuuuuut as Yall said it's tight, and yes I'm going to have to do dome firewall work, driver side not too bad but passenger is a no go.



Oh well just a minor set back it's something to tinker around on....

['63GENIII]

Hey Randy, is the passenger side hitting the firewall? Mine is super tight in that spot. Trying to get a low style valve cover off is frustrating. Kind of like puzzle. Ill keep moving it around and then it just pops off as if it was nothing. Theres no way I would be able to fit a tall VC. Looks good though! I would even look at trying to find an old set of plain steel VCs and section a piece to weld into the firewall to create the clearance where you need it.

[RANDY COX]

I don't think the block is hitting it, but the valve cover was so as I saw the motor wasn't going to go back any farther because the vc was hitting the firewall I tried and like to have never gotten the vc off. I'm thinking of coming from inside of firewall with a plasma cutter and cut out a section big enough to accept taller vc, If I have to cut it might as well make it work with whatever vc I decide to go with,I did think about the originals but I think it's too close...I found a set of tall vc I like they have the old Chevrolet script engraved on them...And the headers I picked out won't let me use the clutch linkage setup,as one of the tubes is smack in the middle of where the ball screw in stud for the z-bar so I'm going to go with a hydraulic setup..I still got to get the engine all bolted in then concentrate on the firewall so I can get the vc backs on then get it running then work out the clutch,then hopefully the drive train will be finished and I can start back on the body...

[RANDY COX]

I ran across these on ebay and thought it would be nice if both of these had the indentations on the backside for more clearance...but are for a vette with power brake booster clearance...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-Block-Ch...RUoWc5&vxp=mtr