Guest Mike Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 My 350 SBC may be toast... I don't know yet. The SBC is currently mounted with a Scarab style kit. I have a JTR kit to remount the SBC if it's okay. If the 350 needs a lot of work, I may just opt for a big block. This is in a 260, BTW. QUESTIONS: I know the 454 will bolt straight in but I don't know about the Caddy 500. How much more fabrication must be done for the Caddy motor. If the JTR kit won't work, I'll buy the pieces from someone who has done this swap and has accurately made parts. I think this would be an awesome swap!!! I know others have considered the 500 but I can't find any completed installs. Grumpy... do you know? I'm aware that you've suggested this very swap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_hunt Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Grumpy, do you have a z with a caddy motor that you've been hiding! Shame Shame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 I know the 454 will bolt straight in I am pretty sure that is not true. The big block is, well, bigger than the small block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 I am pretty sure that is not true. The big block is, well, bigger than the small block. I'm nearly positive the mounting bosses are the same for both blocks, so the 454 should bolt in. At least the 396 and 427 do. I think Michael and Corzette both have Zs with BBCs. They are most qualified to talk about it. Guys? Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mike Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 I am pretty sure that is not true. The big block is, well, bigger than the small block. The SBC and BBC share the same motor mounts but the BB is a couple inches longer and a bit taller. The JTR kit will cure that little issue:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mike Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 I'm nearly positive the mounting bosses are the same for both blocks' date=' so the 454 should bolt in. At least the 396 and 427 do. I think Michael and Corzette both have Zs with BBCs. They are most qualified to talk about it. Guys? Davy[/quote'] I'm sure the 454 is a direct bolt-in provided I switch from the current Scarab style mounting kit to the JTR kit. What I don't know is how difficult is a Caddy 500 to install. How much different is the mounting configuration compared to the Chevy? Is it only the motor mounts? Will a Chevy (well-built) 200R4 tranny bolt up to the Caddy block... or do I need a Caddy tranny too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corzette Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 I'm nearly positive the mounting bosses are the same for both blocks' date=' so the 454 should bolt in. At least the 396 and 427 do. I think Michael and Corzette both have Zs with BBCs. They are most qualified to talk about it. Guys? Davy[/quote'] Hmmm, well mine is mounted with a custom cross member mount if you will, that ties into the frame rails on either side. The mounting points are also different on the 396 mount as opposed to the 350. The 350 bolts from the bottom up to the mount tower and the 396 has a pin through front to back for attachment I believe. I wish I were home and get some pics. This maybe able to be fabricated in the future as it sits the engine perfectly in the bay with out any issues!!! The Big Block is tall and longer and a little wider so the damper and steering rack will be an issue if you go to low up front. This semi cradle mount I have is perfect in my opinion. Loren if your out there can you chime in on the mount. BBC Z is the one I got the 280 BBZ from and did the build.... You will need a cowled hood of some some unless you want the airfilter sticking out via hole like mine. I can shut the hood with the cleaner off but the carb is sucking hood at that point...4 inch cowl should work perfectly... Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mike Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 Hmmm' date=' well mine is mounted with a custom cross member mount if you will, that ties into the frame rails on either side. The mounting points are also different on the 396 mount as opposed to the 350. The 350 bolts from the bottom up to the mount tower and the 396 has a pin through front to back for attachment I believe. I wish I were home and get some pics. This maybe able to be fabricated in the future as it sits the engine perfectly in the bay with out any issues!!! The Big Block is tall and longer and a little wider so the damper and steering rack will be an issue if you go to low up front. This semi cradle mount I have is perfect in my opinion. Loren if your out there can you chime in on the mount. BBC Z is the one I got the 280 BBZ from and did the build.... You will need a cowled hood of some some unless you want the airfilter sticking out via hole like mine. I can shut the hood with the cleaner off but the carb is sucking hood at that point...4 inch cowl should work perfectly... Terry[/quote'] Am I wrong about the BBC and SBC having the same motor mounts? This wouldn't be the first time I was wrong... but I remedied that first error with a divorce:D I thought the BB is only an inch or less taller than the SB. I assumed the lower mounting configuration of the engine with the JTR kit would counter any hood clearance issues. I have an Alpha 1, BTW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boodlefoof Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 This website might be helpful to you. List of approximate external dimensions and weights of popular American V8 engines. http://www.carnut.com/specs/fengdim.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mike Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 This website might be helpful to you. List of approximate external dimensions and weights of popular American V8 engines. http://www.carnut.com/specs/fengdim.html I'll try again later. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbk240z Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 The actual motor mounts themselves may be different between the SBC and BBC, but the attachmnet points/bolt pattern on the engine block is the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbk240z Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 There is at least one member on here that has done the Caddy 500 swap and his Z is rather nice too. His sig is pdinnell. There was another in process swap, can"t remember his sig though, try the search button. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 Corzette summed up what I was trying to say. May be able to bolt the same motor mounts to the big block, but that doesn't mean the engine will "bolt" into a Zed. I don't have a BBC Z, but I do read about them alot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mike Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 This website might be helpful to you. List of approximate external dimensions and weights of popular American V8 engines. http://www.carnut.com/specs/fengdim.html Link works today... thanks boodlefoof. I had NO IDEA that the Caddy engine is FIVE inches taller than the SBC. I also had no idea that there are longer and shorter Chevy blocks. How does the old saying go?? The more I learn' date=' the the more I realize I know NOTHING... something like that. Well then, a 500 Caddy won't be going into my Alpha 1. Although it would be an awesome motor, it won't clear the hood. I want to keep the Alpha 1 hood. Does anyone know if I can keep my Alpha 1 hood with a JTR kit and a 454 motor? If I can't, then my remaining option (if my 350 is bad) is a SB stroker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest leet Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 Caddy is BOP, Chevy big block uses the same bolt pattern as sbc Chevy is the different one, meaning it won’t interchange with BOP & Caddy, The older Caddy with round bell housing was the same as the nail head Buick, this is pre-BOP, Nail head came after flat head, nailhead implies valves in head the valve stems had a resemblance to nails, especially since a flat head was like a board, 2x12 perhaps, actually I thought this was a discussion of the feasibly & pros & cons 454 – 500, why not get a junk yard hood and modify it? For any one (new to this) BOP stands for Buick-Olds-Pontiac, pollution control sucked all the guts out of the 1971 & on till recently big blocks, peanut cams, dish pistons etc… but they still have a decent torque as such a strong transmission should be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mike Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 Caddy is BOP' date=' [/font']Chevy big block uses the same bolt pattern as sbc Chevy is the different one, meaning it won’t interchange with BOP & Caddy, The older Caddy with round bell housing was the same as the nail head Buick, this is pre-BOP, Nail head came after flat head, nailhead implies valves in head the valve stems had a resemblance to nails, especially since a flat head was like a board, 2x12 perhaps, actually I thought this was a discussion of the feasibly & pros & cons 454 – 500, why not get a junk yard hood and modify it? For any one (new to this) BOP stands for Buick-Olds-Pontiac, pollution control sucked all the guts out of the 1971 & on till recently big blocks, peanut cams, dish pistons etc… but they still have a decent torque as such a strong transmission should be used. Thanks leet. I'm looking for a "fairly" straightforward swap. I want this engine to bolt in to my JTR kit and a (built) 200R4 transmission. Minor mods such as swapping motor mounts is fine. I also want this to fit under the hood on my Alpha 1 kit car. I like the way the 250 GTO looks and I don't want to modify the hood much. Awesome big block torque is VERY tempting though. If I can fit a 454 under the hood, that's likely my choice. I suppose I wouldn't mind raising the hood hump an inch or so but no more than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corzette Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 Thanks leet. I'm looking for a "fairly" straightforward swap. I want this engine to bolt in to my JTR kit and a (built) 200R4 transmission. Minor mods such as swapping motor mounts is fine. I also want this to fit under the hood on my Alpha 1 kit car. I like the way the 250 GTO looks and I don't want to modify the hood much. Awesome big block torque is VERY tempting though. If I can fit a 454 under the hood, that's likely my choice. I suppose I wouldn't mind raising the hood hump an inch or so but no more than that.[/color'] I dont think you can run a stock hood with a big block, its like 5 inches taller than a Small blok. Mine is sitting as low as it will go and the top of the carb sucks hood with out the cleaner...so I say no it wont work. Go SBC 400 and build it and youll be just as happy! Hell 383 aint no slouch!!! Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad-ManQ45 Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 I don't think a 2004R will handle a built big block torque - assuming you have the traction... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mike Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 I dont think you can run a stock hood with a big block' date=' its like 5 inches taller than a Small blok. Mine is sitting as low as it will go and the top of the carb sucks hood with out the cleaner...so I say no it wont work. Go SBC 400 and build it and youll be just as happy! Hell 383 aint no slouch!!! Terry[/quote'] I guess a bigger SBC is my choice then. Hopefully, my existing 350 is okay and I won't have to spend the $$$. But at least I now know what to look for if need be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakeshoe Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 I don't think a 2004R will handle a built big block torque - assuming you have the traction... Don't tell that to the 427 in my Chevelle... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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