Long time lurker, first time poster
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: St Louis MO
Long time lurker, first time poster
I've had a '68 convertable for the last year and havn't done much with it. It's not a # matching car. Exterior is clean, but interior needs carpet, trim, door panels, etc. As long as the door panels are coming ff, I wanted to add remote electric locks. I havn't taken it apart yet to look if the mechanism will easily adapt to adding a solenoid. Anyone ever added electric locks with the twist style lock **** on one of these cars.
Also, the car currently has a 350 with a big block hood. If I dropped in a 427, 454, or 502 big block, would new front springs be required because of the extra weight? And is a larger radiator used on the big block cars?
Gary
Also, the car currently has a 350 with a big block hood. If I dropped in a 427, 454, or 502 big block, would new front springs be required because of the extra weight? And is a larger radiator used on the big block cars?
Gary
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Re: Long time lurker, first time poster (Garys '68)
Garys '68:
I'll try to respond to some of your questions. Yes, you will need heavier coil springs in the front should you decide to change to a big block. A big block (in cast iron form) weighs about 150 - 200 lbs more than a small block. You can avoid this by going with an aluminum intake and aluminum heads (the big block would then only weigh slightly more than a small block).
Yes, big blocks use a bigger radiator. A bigger radiator is needed to insure that the engine stays cool...and even then they tend to run hot (the nature of the beast). I hope I was of some assistance to you. Welcome to the forum!
[Modified by bence13_33, 9:26 AM 10/23/2001]
I'll try to respond to some of your questions. Yes, you will need heavier coil springs in the front should you decide to change to a big block. A big block (in cast iron form) weighs about 150 - 200 lbs more than a small block. You can avoid this by going with an aluminum intake and aluminum heads (the big block would then only weigh slightly more than a small block).
Yes, big blocks use a bigger radiator. A bigger radiator is needed to insure that the engine stays cool...and even then they tend to run hot (the nature of the beast). I hope I was of some assistance to you. Welcome to the forum!
[Modified by bence13_33, 9:26 AM 10/23/2001]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: St Louis MO
Re: Long time lurker, first time poster (bence13_33)
I was kind of figuring AL heads & intake, and tube headers could take off a few lbs and save me from changing the springs. Any other changes needed to swap in the big block? BTW, the car has a 4 speed manual tranny.
Gary
Gary
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Long time lurker, first time poster (Garys '68)
Welcome. Cruise and enjoy.
I recommend the front spring change if you do the swap. The aluminum parts won't save enough weight to warrant not changing the springs. The 78-82 models had a power door lock option. If it were me, I would scrounge up the parts to install the stock option package.
Remember: Shark Drivers wave!!!
:seeya :seeya :seeya
:)
I recommend the front spring change if you do the swap. The aluminum parts won't save enough weight to warrant not changing the springs. The 78-82 models had a power door lock option. If it were me, I would scrounge up the parts to install the stock option package.
Remember: Shark Drivers wave!!!
:seeya :seeya :seeya
:)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Re: Long time lurker, first time poster (Garys '68)
Welcome Gary, I live just across the river. It would deffinitly help to beef up the front suspension when changing to a big block, the weight balance is quite a bit different then a small block car (found this out the first time I tried to throw mine into a corner, it's not my step father's 86 Z-51, that's for sure). If you need to take a look at one for info or setup feel free to give me an e-mail and I'll give you directions.
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: St Louis MO
Re: Long time lurker, first time poster (Garys '68)
OK to do it right, I'll replace the coils when I get to that point. The only reason I'm considering the big block is that I do a lot of work on boats and regularly find good deals on 454 and 502 engines and blocks. It seemed like a good winter project to stroke a short deck 502 up to around 540ci and drop it in. I'm assuming that's what you're running GDaina. BTW, it's a lot cheaper to do 1 engine in a car as opposed to 2 or 3 in a boat.
I read in another post where there may be valve cover interference with the brake booster. Any other clearace or unexpected changes are needed with a big block swap?
And as for the power locks, Easy Mike wrote that the 78-82 had this as an option. Does anyone know if it's the same mechanism as the 68?
I'll have to scan a photo of my car. But someone is going to have to tell me how and wher to post it.
BTW, there's a lot of good info on this board. Thanks for the help.
Gary
I read in another post where there may be valve cover interference with the brake booster. Any other clearace or unexpected changes are needed with a big block swap?
And as for the power locks, Easy Mike wrote that the 78-82 had this as an option. Does anyone know if it's the same mechanism as the 68?
I'll have to scan a photo of my car. But someone is going to have to tell me how and wher to post it.
BTW, there's a lot of good info on this board. Thanks for the help.
Gary
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,115
Likes: 0
From: VA
Re: Long time lurker, first time poster (Garys '68)
Gary I will be interested in anything you find out about the transition to power locks. I would like to put an aftermarket alarm with power locks on my '75 if it doesn't turn out to be a major effort.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Mannford, OK, USA
Re: Long time lurker, first time poster (Garys '68)
From Chevrolet High Performance Magazine, Oct 01
Small block (all iron) 520 lbs
Small block w/ alum heads 480 lbs
Big block (all iron) 754 lbs
Big block w/ alum heads 660 lbs
Good luck with your project and welcome to the forum.
Small block (all iron) 520 lbs
Small block w/ alum heads 480 lbs
Big block (all iron) 754 lbs
Big block w/ alum heads 660 lbs
Good luck with your project and welcome to the forum.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Long time lurker, first time poster (majglc)
I can't answer your questions any better than they already have been but I wanted to say Hello. Glad to have another member on board. I look forward to seeing a picture of your car.
