Author Topic: BBC engine rebuild questions  (Read 2002 times)

warnergn

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BBC engine rebuild questions
« on: January 03, 2020, 02:12:58 AM »
Hi all.  I have a coupla' newbie style questions that I didn't know of a better place to ask but here.  I just removed what appears to be either a tall deck 427 or 366.  :(  What all can transfer over to a "real" BBC 427 (say, 67-70 date range)?  The current engine has a spacer plate underneath the intake.  Would the heads and exhaust manifolds swap over?  Intake too? 

My thought is to find a short block 427 (BBC) and swap over the external components.  :)  I have the engine out of the car and on a stand and hope to remove one of the heads in the next day or two to confirm the actual engine displacement. :-\  Flywheel, z bar, alternator, oil pan, etc, should all swap over, correct?  Are engine mounts different for a tall block?

I welcome any and all comments.  (if anyone knows of a quicker way than removing one of the heads, I'm all ears - the block stamp has been ground off partially with only a "36xxxx" showing and the front pad has been ground off as well).

    361959   1973-85   454   car & truck
    364776   1968-84   427   tall truck
    364779   1968-88   366   tall truck

Thanks,
Greg

'68 RS/SS Camaro 4-spd Jet black/white stripe
'68 RS/SS 427 4spd Jet black/white stripe

HawkX66

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Re: BBC engine rebuild questions
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2020, 01:04:44 PM »
"Generally" if you have the spacers under the intake you'll be able to use the intake, but not the distributor unless it has an adjustable collar. You won't be able to use the alternator brackets unless you modify them. Exhaust manifolds depend on what they are and what the engine is. You should be good to go to use the heads if they're worth using. The push rods will be different though.
If it were me and I spent the money on a 427 short block, I'd spend the money on heads too. 427s aren't cheap or easy to find anymore. Chances are your heads are truck heads and not worth your time in swapping over. You'd have to run their numbers to see.
Dave
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ko-lek-tor

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Re: BBC engine rebuild questions
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2020, 03:04:54 PM »
Providing that it is still a 427 tall deck, everything will work on a passenger engine except the pistons, pushrods, block & distributor, as pointed out. But tall deck blocks are used to make stroker combos, like the 496. So I would not assume that you have a stock engine configuration. If that is the case, and you won’t know till you get into it more,  the rods and crank can be added to the above unusable parts. If it has been externally balanced then you can add the flywheel & balancer to all listed parts above.
If it is a 366, the 1st 4 mentioned items above would apply. Not too many folks invest into stroking a 366, so no need to repeat the other potential components.  Best of luck.
Bentley to friends :1969 SS/RS 396 owned 79
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crossboss

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Re: BBC engine rebuild questions
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2020, 03:21:34 PM »
IF the heads are truly tall deck versions, they are very similar to the 1990s 454 H.O.s that were installed in the 1500 series trucks. Don't use them. Why? The ports are called 'peanut ports' for a reason aka very small. That said, IF you are looking for a nice performance piece, why not purchase a crate engine from GM/Chevy ready to go? Just a thought...
Just another T/A fanatic. Current lifelong projects:
1968 Olds 442 W-30
1969 Mustang Fastback w a Can-Am 494 (Boss 429)

 

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