502 in a 63
 

i have done a search and read most of the posts concerning the swap but most of the info is several years old. i am putting a mild 502 in a 63 vert. i have a serpentine kit from gm performance that i think is a long water pump set up. i need a radiator and fan set up. ecklers lists a be cool part#60066 that their catalog says is good for up to 500ci and 700hp. i talked to their tech support and he confirmed this. i went to be cool's site and they say it is good to 400hp. my 502 should make 475.

any thoughts or suggestions on a radiator?

thanks,
adam

:iagree: get a DeWitts!

will a BB balancer fit in the front cross member of a 63?...didn`t the "notch" start with the 65 BB?
redvetracr

was wondering the same thing. won't the front crossmember have to be modified?
figured he was aware of that and planned for it but you never know.

A friend with an overheating 502 in his '63 coupe bought a used Griffin aluminum 427 replacement radiator from me. Cooling problems solved in spite of the fact that he lives in California's central valley which cooks in the summer.

This radiator is a drop in replacement for the original brass 427 radiator used in the '60s i.e. it fits a stock BB radiator support.

Jim

Note,
 

Vettes with a BB use the short waterpump.

IIRC, there was a post that mentioned a BB with a shorter in height front harmonic damper would work in the un-notched '63-'64 frames. Other than a tight clearance fit the lack of a notch in the earlier frames became an issue should the front balancer need to be removed.

I could be wrong, but I doubt it! .. :lol: ..

The notch is not a problem and BBs are put in '63-'64s all the time. When the engine is out, cut the notch piece out of the cross member, invert it, re-weld it in, and touch up the black paint.

Radiator
 

I'm running 572 with DeWitts BB Radiator and the Spal Electric Dual Fans he sells with the kit and engine never goes over 180 even with AC on. Works great. Had to modify my front crossmember for balancer and would suggest you consider changing oil pan to 4 quart instead of 6 as the deep pan will bottom out, especially if you have already lowered the car from stock. You need headers for this application in my mind and Headman 502 tight fits will work. I'm using 3" sidepipe exhaust and it is very loud, but I love it. You will need a Tremec 5 Speed or something similar for that power. I'm using the TKO 600 with 3:50 gear and probably could have gone to 3:50 or 3:55 as I have so much torque I can easily start in third gear.

I don't know if you bought the GM Pulley setup, but if you didn't you may want to look at Billit setup which looks fantastic.