Hi all. Long story short, I was sold a car that was described to be a BBC 427 Camaro but after closer inspection I believe I was taken to the cleaners. Too much time has gone by now to do anything about it. But, I am just moving forward and planning to now make it what it had been claimed to be. I have some questions though. How much is involved in switching over an auto 6 cyl Camaro (thinking worst case scenario for reasons later to be described) to a BBC with 4 spd?
Negatives: I've found the rear to be non-posi, it has drum brakes front and rear, no trim tag, and the VIN appears to be altered from a 123367 to a 124367. Also, there is no tach but there is a console with no gauges.
Positives: The body is in nice shape, it has a BB with factory manifolds, a Muncie M21, houndstooth interior, RS headlights and backup lights, Z hood, new tires and Ralley wheels all around, new exhaust, and all new trim.
While trying to get the car inspected it was discovered that the engine was never bolted to the chassis - both sets of mounts are there on the frame and the engine - they just stuck the bolt through and called it a day. Also, the Hurst shifter is short and makes for a reach to shift to 1st and 3rd.
Right now I am debating whether to remove the engine so that I can verify whether or not it is a 427 or a 396 - the numbers have been ground off of the pad on the front of the engine. The intake is also a no-name alum intake or all identification was ground off of it as well. The carb that came with the car was an old dirty Edelbrock 1404 - I have since installed a new one (1406) but if this is indeed a 427 I'm thinking I should have sprung for a 750 Edelbrock (due to the "4-hole" configuration). The distributor is a GM 10093387 heavy duty unit mated to an older MSD box (not even a 6AL). I have already replaced the shocks all around, added a fuel pressure regulator, a complete rear wiring harness for an RS, new plug wires, just bought a GM HEI but haven't installed it yet, and new console gauge package with Tic-Toc-Tach. I also bought a 8.5 10-bolt posi rear for it - have 3.55 gears to install. The clutch rod is extremely loose and has actually fallen out a time or two (in the garage, not while driving) - which has me wondering if the Z bar is correct for the BBC or if the mounting holes on the frame are wrong (remember I'm not sure if this was a 6 cyl or a SBC car to start) - after doing some reading I understand that the correct Z bar would need to be in place for the clutch to work properly/safely - the clutch rod is adjusted out as far as it can go.
All this to say: Does anyone have any pointers or experience converting from a 6 cyl or SBC to a BBC? I don't intend to ever sell this car or claim that it started out as a BBC car with all the bells and whistles - I just want to drive the dang thing and make it into what I thought I was buying. Does the under dash wiring harness need to be swapped out to mate up to the wiring harness that came with the new gauges and tach?
Thanks for any and all thoughts, suggestions, criticism.
Greg