Misc. Questions Troubling Me
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Misc. Questions Troubling Me
I have a few questions that I was wondering if you guys could help me out on?
1. Is it possible to tell whether or not a rear end is a good rear end? I purchased a 3.70 rear end off of a forum member (rear end on its way) and would like to make sure that it's a good unit before putting it in this time. He told me that the rear end is freshly rebuilt and he just pulled it off of his rolling chasis (from a '69 'Vette). Is there anything I should look for?
2. I'm still doubting whether or not this big block is going to fit into my '76 'Vette. It looks like the power brake booster may get in the way. It would appear as though the valve cover will be snuggly pressed against the booster. Can anyone verify this? Will I be able to get the valve covers off without any problems? (I'm going with a solid lifter cam so I will need to take the valve covers off about twice a month...that's why I'm asking :) )
3. How can I tell how many cores my radiator has? The radiator is a Modine that was purchased from Advance Auto. Are there any clues that will tell me how many cores it has?
Thanks.
1. Is it possible to tell whether or not a rear end is a good rear end? I purchased a 3.70 rear end off of a forum member (rear end on its way) and would like to make sure that it's a good unit before putting it in this time. He told me that the rear end is freshly rebuilt and he just pulled it off of his rolling chasis (from a '69 'Vette). Is there anything I should look for?
2. I'm still doubting whether or not this big block is going to fit into my '76 'Vette. It looks like the power brake booster may get in the way. It would appear as though the valve cover will be snuggly pressed against the booster. Can anyone verify this? Will I be able to get the valve covers off without any problems? (I'm going with a solid lifter cam so I will need to take the valve covers off about twice a month...that's why I'm asking :) )
3. How can I tell how many cores my radiator has? The radiator is a Modine that was purchased from Advance Auto. Are there any clues that will tell me how many cores it has?
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,206
Likes: 0
From: WANTED: '68 rear valance with b/u light assemblies IM, e-mail, or PM me here. Thanks!
Re: Misc. Questions Troubling Me (bence13_33)
1. If his initials are S.D. then you don't have to worry... enjoy!
2. I've never seen a BB in anything later then a '71, but I bet it won't be fun pulling the valve covers off.
3. Look inside and count the rows (not cores). The term is 2,3, or 4 row radiator.
2. I've never seen a BB in anything later then a '71, but I bet it won't be fun pulling the valve covers off.
3. Look inside and count the rows (not cores). The term is 2,3, or 4 row radiator.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Re: Misc. Questions Troubling Me (bence13_33)
BB's had special valve covers to clear the brake booster. The cover has a "dent" in the corner for clearance. Check out the catalogs, they have chrome ones for sale and I think they are a little more that $100. Other than that a BB should fit. Get a bigger :smash: though.
John
John
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 896
Likes: 1
From: Thomasville, home of the Big Chair NC
Re: Misc. Questions Troubling Me (bence13_33)
454 was available in corvettes through 1974. It is snug, but its hard to work in there anyway. It is trouble to remove the valve covers, slightly, but hey, having a big block makes it worth the trouble. Im currently sliding a 454 into my 73 shark.
Good luck
Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,206
Likes: 0
From: WANTED: '68 rear valance with b/u light assemblies IM, e-mail, or PM me here. Thanks!
Re: Misc. Questions Troubling Me (bence13_33)
You should consider this as well...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=171430
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=171430
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Re: Misc. Questions Troubling Me (bence13_33)
Dave:
Yes, it just so happens that his initials are S.D. I'm glad to hear that I have purchased a solid rear end. Thanks for the assistance.
John:
I did notice that on the old valve covers I pulled off of the LS4 engine, they did have a dent. I guess I'll be saving my money for a set of Corvette valve covers....
Maco Shark:
I suppose the extra horsepower & torque is worth it ;)
Yes, it just so happens that his initials are S.D. I'm glad to hear that I have purchased a solid rear end. Thanks for the assistance.
John:
I did notice that on the old valve covers I pulled off of the LS4 engine, they did have a dent. I guess I'll be saving my money for a set of Corvette valve covers....
Maco Shark:
I suppose the extra horsepower & torque is worth it ;)
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
Re: Misc. Questions Troubling Me (bence13_33)
Bence -- a week or so ago I saw a posting on here on this topic. Someone mentioned using a booster setup from a diesel truck or something, that ran off the power steering pump... Had a picture and all and said you can get em for $50 in a junkyard and they're real nice. Real small too and takes care of the big block clearance problems. Now I dunno but it might be worth looking into!
Jim
Jim
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Re: Misc. Questions Troubling Me (bence13_33)
This winter we re-installed a 454 in my friend's 73. It had PS, A/C, and no PB. It was a very tight fit and we installed the engine with everything on it, including exhaust manifolds. We wound up taking the a/c compressor and bracket off. It might have fit but it was just too close for comfort. Make sure you use a load leveler when installing the engine.
Gary
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Re: Misc. Questions Troubling Me (bence13_33)
As far as the valve cover clearance problems with the brake booster, with the short valve covers there shouldn't be much problem, as mine cleared with plenty of room (I guess plenty is subjective, but not difficult). Now I was talking with another 73 vette owner which transplanted a 454 into his vette, and he said he had far less clearance then I did on mine, unfortunately I didn't meet up with him again that day to take a look under his hood to see the difference, I got the impression from him that his engine sat up higher then mine but I can't varify this, but he said he bought all the parts for a 73 bigblock for the swap, so who knows. Now it's also possible to run a tall set of valve covers on one with power brakes, but it takes a lot of work to get yourself some clearance with the side of the power brake booster and on the passenger side if you have the stock A/C evaporator box still in place, I hated grinding on a 170 dollar set of valve covers but I eventually got them to fit so I could clear the roller rockers I later installed.
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: macon, ga
Re: Misc. Questions Troubling Me (bence13_33)
Im not much help but i have a 77 with a 454, i have power brakes, power steering, and a/c (sorta), and i can access everything, so the engine will fit. there is a lot more room in the vettes engine bay than my mr2 so i guess your ideas of space are all relative. my valve covers are tapered on the edges (i think im having a brain laps right now) i will check later tonight at tell you. i also have a 3.7 rear end and it is a lot of fun. i bet you cant wait till you get this all done. :D :D
[Modified by ykp53, 1:35 PM 10/23/2001]
[Modified by ykp53, 1:35 PM 10/23/2001]
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 605
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From: las vegas
Re: Misc. Questions Troubling Me (ykp53)
YKP, How are you passing the Texas emissions visual inspection with a big block engine in your car? Is the inspector so clueless as to know that the engine is not correct for that car are you giving him so compensation to ignore that fact? :lol:
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: macon, ga
Re: Misc. Questions Troubling Me (a smith)
visual inspection? what visual inscepction? these guys around here dont even lift the hood when i go for a inspection. i think( but i might be wrong here) the visual inspection is only in the more heavly populated counties ( i.e. san antonio, dallas, fort worth, houston) i also have duel exhaust with no cats and the inspection place dosnt even care. they only thing that might be goin in my favor is their is no decals identifying the original engine left in the engine bay and the exhaust is very well crafted so it even looks like it belongs. alls they want is their $12.50 fee.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: las vegas
Re: Misc. Questions Troubling Me (ykp53)
YKP I may be moving back to big T next year. I have 160 acers about seventeen miles from Cisco. I was worried, as my vette is not going to be able to pass a visual. Do you have to pass a sniffer? Cisco has about 4500 people in it. Thanks Al :flag
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: macon, ga
Re: Misc. Questions Troubling Me (a smith)
i dont have to pass a sniffer test, but like i said i think that the bigger cities do. how old is you vette? i blew the engine in a car once there it was 11:30 at night on a sat. needles to say not a lot of help was available