engine swap - hood clearance!
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 54
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From: Southampton PA
engine swap - hood clearance!
The problems just keep coming! I forgot how much fun this was.
I am putting a new crate motor 454 in my 71 vette. It is an orig big block car so it has the big block hood. We now have the carb on and there is no way the hood is going to close! Do they make a low rise manifold for this motor?? It is the one with the aluminum heads. I don't want to get a new hood as the car has a custom paint job that's in decent shape but 15 years old. I think matching the paint will be difficult.
Can I just cut a hole in the hood and raise the carb with a spacer?
How hard is it to cut those hoods?
Help?!?!
I am putting a new crate motor 454 in my 71 vette. It is an orig big block car so it has the big block hood. We now have the carb on and there is no way the hood is going to close! Do they make a low rise manifold for this motor?? It is the one with the aluminum heads. I don't want to get a new hood as the car has a custom paint job that's in decent shape but 15 years old. I think matching the paint will be difficult.
Can I just cut a hole in the hood and raise the carb with a spacer?
How hard is it to cut those hoods?
Help?!?!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Argh...I have no experise in this, but my consience won't let me walk away with out comment.
I don't think different hoods came with big or small block. Is the carb an original carb...is the air cleaner original? Uhm...what about motor mounts...are there some motor mounts which allow the engine to sit lower (again...I have no idea)? If you cut the hood then why would you want to "raise" the carb? Matching paint isn't really that difficult these days due to computer controls, I might recommend getting another hood that is taller...and saving your small block hood in case you decide to go back to a sb.
I don't think different hoods came with big or small block. Is the carb an original carb...is the air cleaner original? Uhm...what about motor mounts...are there some motor mounts which allow the engine to sit lower (again...I have no idea)? If you cut the hood then why would you want to "raise" the carb? Matching paint isn't really that difficult these days due to computer controls, I might recommend getting another hood that is taller...and saving your small block hood in case you decide to go back to a sb.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Denver Colorado
I have a 1972 Big Block, and yes they came with a different hood than a small block. They also came with a low rise intake manifold, just so the air cleaner would fit under the hood. Your options are to find the original low rise intake (which aren't very good for performance) or change over to an L-88 type hood.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 7
From: Longwood Florida
All of the big block cars had a bigblock manifold that would clear the hood from the factory.... If you had a Bigblock and are switching to crate motor bigblock it should fit no problem.
It would be different if you are using a none stock intake manifold..like a Vic Jr or air gap RPM something that is much taller than factory.
As far as I know the LT1 hood and Bigblock hood are the same. The regular production small block hood is definitely shorter. make sure about spacer hieghts or no spacer at all and use a deep drop base air cleaner and 2 or 2 1/2 filter.
*** tip get a buddy and get some playdo put it on the air cleaner (the playdo not your buddy
) you and your pal gently place the hood on the car ** make sure you push down on the rear hood springs... otherwiseyou might think you are hitting the air cleaner. The playdo will let you know if you touch air cleaner...
It would be different if you are using a none stock intake manifold..like a Vic Jr or air gap RPM something that is much taller than factory.
As far as I know the LT1 hood and Bigblock hood are the same. The regular production small block hood is definitely shorter. make sure about spacer hieghts or no spacer at all and use a deep drop base air cleaner and 2 or 2 1/2 filter.
*** tip get a buddy and get some playdo put it on the air cleaner (the playdo not your buddy
) you and your pal gently place the hood on the car ** make sure you push down on the rear hood springs... otherwiseyou might think you are hitting the air cleaner. The playdo will let you know if you touch air cleaner...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,045
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From: Yorktown VA
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I think you missed that he said it is an original BB car with the BB hood. "It is an orig big block car so it has the big block hood. " You may have to go with a low rise intake manifold (they do make some pretty good ones nowadays) or you can try a low profile air cleaner.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Southampton PA
I have the orig intake from the orig motor but it is cast iron and the new motor is set up with the aluminum heads. I'm told I may be able to use the cast iron one but performance will suffer. The intake on the new crate motor is way higher than the orig. low rise. I have been told several times today that no one makes a low rise aluminum intake to match the aluminum heads outside of finding an orig. from an LS-6. I know that's out. Since the orig. motor is blown and block destroyed I guess I'm going into modify mode. Since I want to get the car back on the road ASAP it looks like I'm going to cut a hole in the hood and go for the tunnel ram look. I'm open for ideas or any pics on a good way to go.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Boxford Mass
I would spend some more time trying to find a solution before you chop the hood. Have you tried calling the aftermarket makers of intakes? Man, I just hate the idea of ruining a custom painted hood.
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Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
Don't cut a hole in the hood unless you are running a blower. It just looks bad like the car was not thought out. There are some decent low rise aluminum intakes out there. Do some homework on this you will find one with a low rise air cleaner tha twill fit.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Southampton PA
Well i have to say I'm still feeling sick over this!
I called the gm guys I bought the motor from and 3 speed shops in the area and all gave the same answer. There are some low rise intakes available but all have notes that say they will not fit the vette!!
One guy told me torker used to make one but discontinued it a while ago.
I'm wide open for any ideas?!?
I called the gm guys I bought the motor from and 3 speed shops in the area and all gave the same answer. There are some low rise intakes available but all have notes that say they will not fit the vette!!
One guy told me torker used to make one but discontinued it a while ago.
I'm wide open for any ideas?!?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
take a look at these manifolds, check how teir heights compare to yours:
http://www.holley.com/products.asp?product=8018
http://www.holley.com/products.asp?product=8005WIN
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_...orker-ii.shtml
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_...lt-carbs.shtml
http://www.holley.com/products.asp?product=8018
http://www.holley.com/products.asp?product=8005WIN
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_...orker-ii.shtml
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_...lt-carbs.shtml
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 54
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From: Southampton PA
Well thanks to Jason and this forum a big block hood has been saved!!
The edelbrock torker 2 is a perfect fit. I'm still sick over the loss of the original motor but cutting a hole in that hood would have done me in.
I guess when this thing is finally running I will forget about the engine loss for good.
Love this forum and all the info.
Still amazing that 4 different places told me I couldn't get one.
The edelbrock torker 2 is a perfect fit. I'm still sick over the loss of the original motor but cutting a hole in that hood would have done me in.
I guess when this thing is finally running I will forget about the engine loss for good.
Love this forum and all the info.
Still amazing that 4 different places told me I couldn't get one.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 631
Likes: 41
From: Tampa FL
Originally Posted by knoxboys
Well thanks to Jason and this forum a big block hood has been saved!!
The edelbrock torker 2 is a perfect fit. I'm still sick over the loss of the original motor but cutting a hole in that hood would have done me in.
I guess when this thing is finally running I will forget about the engine loss for good.
Love this forum and all the info.
Still amazing that 4 different places told me I couldn't get one.
The edelbrock torker 2 is a perfect fit. I'm still sick over the loss of the original motor but cutting a hole in that hood would have done me in.
I guess when this thing is finally running I will forget about the engine loss for good.
Love this forum and all the info.
Still amazing that 4 different places told me I couldn't get one.
I paid $75 for my mint Holley and am very happy with the responsiveness from Idle...
Edit: I did have to cut down my choke tower and go with a 2.25" air filter and a flat lid, but it did fit after all that!
Last edited by mike229; Aug 18, 2005 at 10:21 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 535
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From: Darwin, Australia NT
I second the old long discontinued Holley Street Dominator single plane manifold. Very streetable. Only other choices are original low rise factory dual plane made in iron (or aluminium for the 427) and the torquer 2 lowrise. I think the Torquer could be improved with runner extensions. Its big phenum hurts low end response where as the Holley single plane has small phenum. I modded my Holley with porting, improved manifold to head angle and fitted runner extensions and polished for good looks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 914
Likes: 14
From: Aberdeen, Scotland
Alum 427 intake
I have an old Alum 427 intake. I am going to have it ported and port matched to the heads. Then attempt to fit a 2 1/2" air filter with a drop down base.
What's custom about your corvette color? It looks just like my stock 71 in Ont Orange!
carbster09
What's custom about your corvette color? It looks just like my stock 71 in Ont Orange!
carbster09
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Southampton PA
if you look real close at the cowl and wiper door you will see some tan with black spider web effect. it runs down the center of the hood. It also runs down the back and wraps the tail. The balance is stock ontario orange.
