HI AFTER DOING A LOT OF RECHERCHE I COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT IS NOT SIMPLE TO REBUILD MY STOCK ENGINE SO I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS WHICH MOTOR MAY I PUT IN THIS CAR I CAN GET MY HANDS ON A 454 CHEVY CAN I FIT THIS TO MY CAR OR IT WILL BE DIFFICULT THERE IS A WAY TO KNOW WHICH MOTOR WILL FIT OK WITH OUT DOING ANY MAYOR ALTERATIONS THANK YOU
I am putting a 454 (bored and stroked to 496) in my car but it is not an easy job. Firewall modifications or driveshaft lengthened, custom engine mounts, special (expensive!) headers, special oil pan, etc. etc. etc.
If you want a direct bolt-in upgrade, go to a SBC (Small Block Chevy) like a 350, or if you want to go a bit better, a bored and stroked SBC = 383 cubic inches, will give you easily over 400 horsepower. These are available as 'crate motors' from all kinds of places at reasonable prices with all new internal parts (much better than a rebuild). http://www.competitionproducts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=LB383CD
Or you can change engine and transmission mounts and use ANY chevy bellhousing but you will have to add a tranny crossmember, custom exhaust, etc.
Advantage of SBC over a 454 are (1) your car could have had a SBC as original equipment - BBC not introduced until 1965 whreas SBC introduced 1955 (2) SBC parts are WAY cheaper and more readily available, especially high performance parts (3) BBC weighs more
There are some details like radiator and fan location but that is the basics.
Let me know if you want more information.
Dave
427carl said
May 27, 2009
If you are going to get a DOG, It MIGHT as well be a BIG DOG
Stephenzone said
May 27, 2009
i Put a sbv8 into my 55 gmc and i went with the mount on the front of the engine. i do have a spare set that have to be bolted to the front crossmember. i used a bellhousing out of a late 60's truck for the rear mounts. pretty easy just have to source the parts.
mr57 said
May 29, 2009
If you are going with any SERIOUS horsepower you DO NOT want to use the original style front mounts. Anything over 300 horsepower you should go with sidemounts, bell mounts and a rear tranny crossmember, otherwise you are asking for trouble. For what these setups cost from places like Danchuk, Old car Centre, or Classic Chevy it is cheap insurance. Using the original styule mounts is asking for trouble.
lennox said
Jun 8, 2009
You can make or buy a set of side motor mounts cheap. If you're not that great of a fabricater I would suggest buying them. I usually use an empty engine block and an empty trans to get the engine to sit where I want. Basicly its a matter of getting the engine where you need it, if you are using HEI you need some room at the back of the block. I generally use the 3/4 ahead side mounts. After the engine is where you want, measure for a trans crossmember and driveshaft. You will be pretty much on your way ater that. Here's a shot of the engine with side mounts and a shot of the trans crossmember. I made my own but you can but universal crossmembers at a reasonable price. Good luck!!!
i agree with the 2 previous post, for serious horse power and torque the stock setup wont do. but for a cruiser you cant beat a stock setup. i don't drag race the old truck and whos gonna brag that they beat a old farm truck. no modifications and i'm even using the stock linkage for the clutch with a newer 5 speed
I CAN GET MY HANDS ON A 454 CHEVY CAN I FIT THIS TO MY CAR OR IT WILL BE DIFFICULT
THERE IS A WAY TO KNOW WHICH MOTOR WILL FIT OK WITH OUT DOING ANY MAYOR ALTERATIONS
THANK YOU
If you want a direct bolt-in upgrade, go to a SBC (Small Block Chevy) like a 350, or if you want to go a bit better, a bored and stroked SBC = 383 cubic inches, will give you easily over 400 horsepower. These are available as 'crate motors' from all kinds of places at reasonable prices with all new internal parts (much better than a rebuild).
http://www.competitionproducts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=LB383CD
All you will need to do to install a SBC is get the correct bellhousing becaues 6 cylinder and V8 had different bellhousings (I bought mine on eBay) and motor mounts - I recommend staying with the original type front mounts
http://www.classicchevy.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=18%2D08&dept%5Fid=2209
http://www.classicchevy.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=18%2D06&dept%5Fid=2210
Or you can change engine and transmission mounts and use ANY chevy bellhousing but you will have to add a tranny crossmember, custom exhaust, etc.
Advantage of SBC over a 454 are
(1) your car could have had a SBC as original equipment - BBC not introduced until 1965 whreas SBC introduced 1955
(2) SBC parts are WAY cheaper and more readily available, especially high performance parts
(3) BBC weighs more
There are some details like radiator and fan location but that is the basics.
Let me know if you want more information.
Dave