Any final words before BB install?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 0
From: Bay City MI.
Any final words before BB install?
Well after finishing up with the detail work and cleaning the engine compartment we are ready to drop the engine in the car. The new drive shaft and trany are in, and the motor is ready to bolt in. The engine has the lakewood already attached and I did a test fit and the muncie fit in really well to the new clutch and flywheel. Any last words of advise or comments would be much appreciated! Thanks as usual.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 4,466
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From: Paducah KY
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St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Any final words before BB install? (467-Ratman)
Well after finishing up with the detail work and cleaning the engine compartment we are ready to drop the engine in the car. .
Good luck and have fun.
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 49,198
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From: All in!
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Re: Any final words before BB install? (Rolling Thunder)
Yeah, DO NOT USE THE WORD DROP ! :lol:
Good luck and have fun.
Dave
Good luck and have fun.
Dave
Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Any final words before BB install? (467-Ratman)
I INSTALLED a 460 years ago and it fit better then the small block. I did use headers and no air but last night I installed the plugs and everything is effortless to reach. No tricky plugs, no installating them from below.
Hope everything drops right in place and you are soon test driving it.
Good luck
Hope everything drops right in place and you are soon test driving it.
Good luck
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 4,143
Likes: 0
Re: Any final words before BB install? (467-Ratman)
Scapel ? - "scapel"
Scissors ? - "scissors"
How's the heartrate ? - "Oh my gosh, Dr. Smith - it's 60 above normal"
Don't worry - it's a bigger heart implant.... :chevy
Scissors ? - "scissors"
How's the heartrate ? - "Oh my gosh, Dr. Smith - it's 60 above normal"
Don't worry - it's a bigger heart implant.... :chevy
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 1
From: Ga.
Re: Any final words before BB install? (467-Ratman)
Install the engine/tranny as a unit....much easier. Also, what clutch are you using? Did you replace the pilot bearing? Did you use the GM roller bearing?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Any final words before BB install? (467-Ratman)
Your nightmare will just begin, Brakets, belts, hoses, OVERHEATING, headers burning everthing with-in 4 inches, Engine will not turn-over when Hot, When you do get it running you will be tanking up everytime you drive more then 100 miles. Welcome to BB Horrors By the way I gave you the Good news I havent covered the bent push rods, cam lobes rounded off etc etc. I hope you did not throw out you SMB
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,563
Likes: 2
Re: Any final words before BB install? (467-Ratman)
Sounds real :cool: to me! Make SURE your fan relay is wired correctly. These things heat up FAST
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:
[Modified by MassVette, 10:49 AM 4/18/2002]
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:
[Modified by MassVette, 10:49 AM 4/18/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 0
From: Exiled Tampa Bay Misfit
Re: Any final words before BB install? (467-Ratman)
Drop would not be good with an 800 pound monster!!!! How about install, that sounds much better!!!!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Any final words before BB install? (73-454)
73-454. What kind of encourage ment is that. I do not have an overheating problem. I run a 3 inch aluminum rad and 2 16 inch electric fans and it never never exceeds 200F in the worst conditions. My headers are wrapped and nothing gets melted down. I have a remote solenoid with a good starter and it never refuses to turn over and start. I also have lots of room for plug changes. I get 12 mpg around town consistantly, better then my new dodge 4x4 318.
I have never bent a push rod or flattened a cam lobe, so far.
Enough said. Not looking to start a war but it can be done and made to work. I have run a big block in my car for 13-14 years without problems. Transmissions are another thing. 3 700-R4s and 4 torque converters in one summer.
I have never bent a push rod or flattened a cam lobe, so far.
Enough said. Not looking to start a war but it can be done and made to work. I have run a big block in my car for 13-14 years without problems. Transmissions are another thing. 3 700-R4s and 4 torque converters in one summer.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Aloha, OR, USA
Re: Any final words before BB install? (norvalwilhelm)
I guess I am right in the middle. Mine cools fine now with a good radiator and an electric fan, I am using original exhaust manifolds and they don't melt anything that doesn't touch them. However, I have bent pushrods twice (once, right after a rebuild when some valves siezed, and once when a valve spring broke), and I have rounded off one cam. I think the machine shop that put together my engine either didn't lube the cam or used the old lifters. And, I don't get 12 miles per gallon either, except on the highway. I get 9 around town.
The biggest problem I had when putting in my engine was clearance at the brake booster and AC box. You get about .00001" of clearance on either side of the engine as you put it in :) but it fits! I did install my engine/tranny as a set.
The biggest problem I had when putting in my engine was clearance at the brake booster and AC box. You get about .00001" of clearance on either side of the engine as you put it in :) but it fits! I did install my engine/tranny as a set.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 446
Likes: 62
From: Sugar Land Texas
Re: Any final words before BB install? (467-Ratman)
I agree with Bob Jenkins, put the engine/transmission in as a unit, if possible. If you did not already have a big block in there, you will notice a little less room in the compartment, but it's all managable. If you are running tall valve covers, you will be pretty close to the brake booster and A/C box, but you should not be hitting them, though. If you are using new/used big block brackets for the first time, you might pre-fit them and make sure all the pulleys line up correctly. If not, you will need to do some adjusting/shimming/grinding, which is easier out of the car. Don't want to be throwing belts. Good luck "dropping" in the new stuff.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 0
From: Bay City MI.
Re: Any final words before BB install? (73-454)
73-454, Sounds like you don't like your BB!! I am pretty confident that my BeCool radiator and twin Spal fans will keep the monster in check. Also my machine shop has done great work for me before and I should have a well built motor to use for many years, with the low compression, 9.2-1 and good parts inside hopefullly it will last! I am more concerned about the trany and rear end and half shafts than my motor. I do believe that my 225-70 tires are going to break loose before any major parts do. And hey its a Big Block, I get crappy gas mileage with my new car, so I have low expectations!!!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Any final words before BB install? (john73bb)
John
I see you have the Holley TBI system. What air cleaner are you using with that set up and, overall, how do you like the Holley system?
I see you have the Holley TBI system. What air cleaner are you using with that set up and, overall, how do you like the Holley system?
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 26,679
Likes: 17
From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
Re: Any final words before BB install? (Fevre)
Make sure you have the correct throwout bearing. I think I have the wrong one (too short) and the clutch won't disengage correctly. My car idles at 205 with dual Flex-a-lites in 90* weather. Headers haven't caused me any problems except for the fact that they are LOUD.:) btw, loud is good.:D