Has anyone put the GM 572 in their C3, were ther any clearance problems?

 

I have NOT done it but I did go to a 540 because the 572 uses a TALL block. This means the heads are wider, that means the headers move outboard quite a bit and run into the steering box.
You are also stuck using a special wider intake but that would come with the motor.
I found that just using raised exhaust ports on a stock bigblock made a large difference in header fit. The added tall deck would create even more of a problem unless you used a older style none raise exhaust port head.
The combination of the two means the headers move up over 1 inch along with a rapidly widening of the headers.

 

I have seen (in person) an installation in a '71. I think the driver's side valve cover had to be notched and the intake manifold had to be milled to fit under the stock hood. Otherwise I think everything fit like normal. I think they even used off the shelf hooker super comp headers. The car had a Steeroids r&p on it so I don't know how things would clear a stock steering box. In general it really filled the engine compartment. It looked like the engine was going to spill over the fenders and onto the floor.

 

The heads are not wider, a tall deck uses normal heads, the deck height is just higher so the heads are furtehr apart from side to side, requiring a special tall deck manifold or tall deck adapter spacers. Then again, you can build a 572 out of a short deck block if need be.

Rick Moroso had a 572 in his C3 but he took it out...but he should be able to comment on fitment issues. then there's some others here running 598s and 632s.. those are tall decks also.

 

I know the heads are the same but we are dealing with a V shape. The further you move up the V the wider the motor gets.
Marck I ran into trouble with just .600 raise exhaust ports.
They recommend the tall deck since the 572 is a 4.5 x 4.5 and that causes a problem with the wrist pin and the oil ring. The 4.5 stroke really wants the long rod and that pushes the pin right into the oil groove badly.
Because of the .600 raise and again we are travelling up the Vee it makes the headers wider then stock.
Another problem is if the headers are a standard bigblock header the bends are designed to the plugs to be in a certain spot. Raise the bend .600 and you find the end of the plug running right into the pipe.
I had to cut 3 three tubes and reroute them because of the raised ports. I know this won't be worst with a .400 taller block but it will push the heads even further out and you also run into a problem around the idler arm.
It was really hard for me to say NO to a 572 at the exact same price as my 540 but the added headaches of making it fit were not worth it.
As for spacers, sure they are readily available but it means dealing with double the gaskets and double the chance of a leak or missmatch of the ports.

 

Reread my first post and nowhere do I see that I mentioned you need special heads??
I did alot of thinking before I ordered my little 540. Could have put a 600 or 632 together for almost the same money but again desided the extra fitting including the special pan just wasn't worth the trouble

 

I must have misunderstood that part..you meant the heads are spaced further apart ?? If so..we're on the same page

I don't like the spacers either but the availability of the tall deck manifolds is...well..not exactly overwhelming, there's only a few choices.

 

you are always so percise and literal. This is why you and i butt heads so much.

Relax a little.......ok?

 

Hey, turtlevette,

How did the dynomat work out.

 

Speaking of dynomat I went overboard, 2 complete layers nice done and I feel it was a waste. Previously I had use 1/2 inch felt I got for nothing and it was just as good.

 

You can stuff one in a C2 so I don't see why it's not possible in a C3. I can take pics tomorrow.

 

I'd be willing to allow you guys to stuff one in my 73 just to prove that it fits...

 

Originally posted by norvalwilhelm


Speaking of dynomat I went overboard, 2 complete layers nice done and I feel it was a waste. Previously I had use 1/2 inch felt I got for nothing and it was just as good.


I used Dynamat extreme and duraliner and my interior volume in down 3db and interior is much cooler with the air conditioning on. I love it.

 

I saw one (I think it was a 67) at Carlisle,(It was inside one of the exhibit halls and I think the car was tilted up on its side so passerbys could see the engine.... anybody get a pic?? ) but I have to say I don't care for the valve covers that come on the crate engine 572.

Didn't know Rick Moroso took his out of his 68??

 

Hey norval been a long time since I was able to post. The GM 572 is not a 4.5 x 4.5. As far as building a 632 for the same money as a 540 it starts out as thinking it will be close to the same money but to build a 632 correctly versus a 540 you end up spending 3 times as much.Not to say a 540 is not more than enuff engine for most.

 

Here is a pic of the 598 I'm finishing up. I spoke with several CF members who said it would not fit without major modifications and that the Hooker headers and sidepipes might not be workable, and then only if I cut and lengthened each tube.
As I was very determined to make this work, I just got busy.
The raised exhaust port of the Dart 355 CNC's heads were a little over half an inch (.6) higher and the deck was almost another half inch (.4) higher. So roughly an inch (.10) overall.
I cut the flange off the Hooker headers and bolted a new flange (very thick compared to most) onto the heads. I then positioned the headers in the car and bent each pipe down and over into the exhaust hole (the pipes move easily when not connected). When I let them go they would spring upward and catch onto the flange which held them in place until I could tack them with a wire feed. Then I removed them and welded them up, ground down the weld, and shipped them to Jet Hot for Sterling Coating.
I told 427Hotrod how it worked and that I had shipped them. He said, "did you test fit the plugs?" OMG!!! In my excitement that it had worked without cutting/lengthening them I forgot to check plug clearance. Thankfully, they are fine.
Next issue was the driver side valvecover. It hit the fiberglass box that the master cylinder is mounted to. Thanks to good "Fiberglass 101" instructions emailed to me by Vettmaniac, it was a simple fix. I cut out the offending spot in a pattern that blended with the rest of the firewall. I can send other pics if needed. Here's one.
-Patrick

 

I L O V E the 572 but my credit card has clearance problem. Seriously an awsome platform, with a few mods.........I wish I had something to put one in. If anyone is working on a conversion I would like to hear about it

 

Since you asked specifically about a 572, here are a couple of a 572 and notice the hood and air cleaner mods. The L-88 hood was cut and moved back and up to clear the taller engine assembly. This is what I plan to do. Megalodon said he can do it, I'll post pics when it's finished. Then to the paint booth!
This hood mod is what Bullshark has to clear his Ramjet 502 and it looks great.
-P

 

Pef427, great pic, what are you planning for hood, cut out, do the valve covers clear, did you consider or did you install a dry sump, if so was lowering or otherwise repositioning the engine a consideration? It sure looks darn good

Norval, jusy FYI, I really appreciate your car and whats gone into it, she is a beauty.

 

We had a 1980 Corvette in the shop I worked at with a 572 tall block punched out to a 598ci, it will fit.