502 swap, hood clearance ?
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 612
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From: cincinnati oh
502 swap, hood clearance ?
i have a 1978 that i just put a GM performance 502 in, problem is the intake manifold sits just under the fender line, i wanted to get a l88 style hood but that wont clear the carb and air cleaner so my only other option is a 4 inch cowl hood which i am undecided about..so does anyone know if someone makes a hood tall enough to clear everything
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Shamong, NJ
A customer of mine has a 68 with a Chevrolet 502/502 that I sold him. He's running one of the long L-88 hoods (the ones similar to a 78 hood, that eliminate the 68-72 wiper door). It's an aftermarket hand laid glass hood without the airbox insert. He runs a regular Chevrolet 14" open element air cleaner with no clearence problems. The top fender surround and engine position on your 78 is basically the same as the 68. I don't believe that the current Chevrolet 502 intake is any taller than the 68-69 L-88 intake. I've seen 69 with a Chevy 572's installed under the L-88 hood, and the 572 is a tall deck block. I can't believe that you would have clearence problems with the L-88 hood. There are plenty of 74-79's with big blocks and L-88 hoods. I'm sure someone on the forum has experience with this install.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
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502 swap, hood clearance
i have a 1978 that i just put a GM performance 502 in, problem is the intake manifold sits just under the fender line, i wanted to get a l88 style hood but that wont clear the carb and air cleaner so my only other option is a 4 inch cowl hood which i am undecided about..so does anyone know if someone makes a hood tall enough to clear everything
The fender line on your 78 should be identicle with the 69.Walt
