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LUV2XCLR8 · 04-08-2004, 06:44 PM

I GOT A NEWBIE QUESTION, WHAT IS INVOLVED IN PUTTING A
BIG BLOCK INTO MY 72 K5? I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE TALK ABOUT
TOWERS? IS THAT SOMETHING TO DO WITH MOTOR MOUNTS?

**JIMs70GMC** · 04-08-2004, 08:46 PM

yep!

LUV2XCLR8 · 04-09-2004, 09:10 AM

SO, DOES THAT MEAN I NEED TOWERS, I'M ASSUMING THE SB
SET-UP WILL NOT WORK, DO YOU HAVE TO USE SHORTY HDR'S

72bigblock4wd · 04-10-2004, 01:07 AM

If you can find a set, the BB towers from a 2wd truck will work, I don't know if anyone sells new ones. The other thing you can do is use the Big Block towers from a 73-87 truck, you will just need ot make a spacer for the top of the frame, but it does work.

**Yukon Jack** · 04-10-2004, 11:06 AM

There is some info on the 2 pages at this link on put a 454 in my 69 K20.

http://www.myoldtruck.com/modules.ph...howpage&pid=12

Let me know if you have specific questions. I know a guy who is right in the middle of trying to do the 73-87 towers method, he is having some difficulty. I was pleasantly surprised how easy the engine went in course I still haven't dropped the body yet - something about a slow body shop holding me up.

72bigblock4wd · 04-10-2004, 04:59 PM

My dad put a 366 Big Block in a '72 C20 that he has for towing stuff. He used the 73-87 towers and had no problems, he used a regular open-end lug nut for a spacer on the top of the frame. Personally, I would use something a little more substantial than a lug nut, but it will work.

*1972C10* · 04-10-2004, 06:00 PM

I have a set of the factory 73-87 big block towers there is a difference between them I went from bb to sb in an 85 3/4 ton and i got differnt towers, From a Small block truck ,,

Tryed to sell the big block towers on the 73-87 parts forum and i got jumped on sayin i was tryin to rook people and there was no such thing.

After reading this i may hold on to them for if i ever go BBC in my 72

orangeuavol · 04-10-2004, 10:53 PM

My 402BB will fit the existing SB towers in my '72 K5. We test fit it before we removed the body and it fit like a glove...with the exception of some firewall messaging. But I can't use headers. I'll find the link where I posted pics and post it here.

orangeuavol · 04-10-2004, 10:58 PM

here's the link. The BB pics are down near the bottom.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=95929

454_72_4X4 · 04-12-2004, 02:48 AM

Hey orangeuavol,
Nice pics BTW.
I have basically the same setup as you, (72 C20 4X4 4 speed), and have been running a 402 for a few years. I'm in the process of installing a 454 and am having a hard time locating a left side exhaust manifold. (The one I had on the 402 came off in 3 pieces!)
Do you have any other pics or casting number of your left manifold? The one I used is completely different than yours.

Have you checked to see if it will clear the clutch linkage?
How are you going to run your clutch linkage? (If you're gonna be running a manual trans).

orangeuavol · 04-12-2004, 12:35 PM

The casting numbers have all been ground off. I believe the exhaust manifolds are out of a '72 Monte Carlo. I will be putting in an automatic tranny, don't have the patience to teach the wife to drive a manual.

04-08-2004, 06:44 PM	#1
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,468	Damn Newbie's I GOT A NEWBIE QUESTION, WHAT IS INVOLVED IN PUTTING A BIG BLOCK INTO MY 72 K5? I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE TALK ABOUT TOWERS? IS THAT SOMETHING TO DO WITH MOTOR MOUNTS? __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

04-08-2004, 08:46 PM	#2
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	yep! __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

04-09-2004, 09:10 AM	#3
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,468	SO, DOES THAT MEAN I NEED TOWERS, I'M ASSUMING THE SB SET-UP WILL NOT WORK, DO YOU HAVE TO USE SHORTY HDR'S __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

04-10-2004, 11:06 AM	#5
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	There is some info on the 2 pages at this link on put a 454 in my 69 K20. http://www.myoldtruck.com/modules.ph...howpage&pid=12 Let me know if you have specific questions. I know a guy who is right in the middle of trying to do the 73-87 towers method, he is having some difficulty. I was pleasantly surprised how easy the engine went in course I still haven't dropped the body yet - something about a slow body shop holding me up. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

04-10-2004, 10:53 PM	#8
orangeuavol GO VOLS! Join Date: May 2001 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 724	My 402BB will fit the existing SB towers in my '72 K5. We test fit it before we removed the body and it fit like a glove...with the exception of some firewall messaging. But I can't use headers. I'll find the link where I posted pics and post it here. __________________ http://1972blazer.shutterfly.com/<= blazer build pics It's called golf because all the other four letter words were taken. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

04-10-2004, 01:07 AM	#4
72bigblock4wd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts: 194	If you can find a set, the BB towers from a 2wd truck will work, I don't know if anyone sells new ones. The other thing you can do is use the Big Block towers from a 73-87 truck, you will just need ot make a spacer for the top of the frame, but it does work.

04-10-2004, 04:59 PM	#6
72bigblock4wd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts: 194	My dad put a 366 Big Block in a '72 C20 that he has for towing stuff. He used the 73-87 towers and had no problems, he used a regular open-end lug nut for a spacer on the top of the frame. Personally, I would use something a little more substantial than a lug nut, but it will work.

04-10-2004, 06:00 PM	#7
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	I have a set of the factory 73-87 big block towers there is a difference between them I went from bb to sb in an 85 3/4 ton and i got differnt towers, From a Small block truck ,, Tryed to sell the big block towers on the 73-87 parts forum and i got jumped on sayin i was tryin to rook people and there was no such thing. After reading this i may hold on to them for if i ever go BBC in my 72

04-10-2004, 10:58 PM	#9
orangeuavol GO VOLS! Join Date: May 2001 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 724	here's the link. The BB pics are down near the bottom. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=95929 __________________ http://1972blazer.shutterfly.com/<= blazer build pics It's called golf because all the other four letter words were taken. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

04-12-2004, 02:48 AM	#10
454_72_4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N.E. MO Posts: 1,749	Hey orangeuavol, Nice pics BTW. I have basically the same setup as you, (72 C20 4X4 4 speed), and have been running a 402 for a few years. I'm in the process of installing a 454 and am having a hard time locating a left side exhaust manifold. (The one I had on the 402 came off in 3 pieces!) Do you have any other pics or casting number of your left manifold? The one I used is completely different than yours. Have you checked to see if it will clear the clutch linkage? How are you going to run your clutch linkage? (If you're gonna be running a manual trans). __________________ 72 C20 4X4 454 4 speed 89 Trans Am (was) 305 TPI 700r4 93 C1500 2wd Extended cab 350 700r4 98 Sonoma (TPI outa the Trans Am) 03 Yamaha 660 Raptor 03/04 660 Raptor 07 700 Raptor 85 Honda Odyssey

04-12-2004, 12:35 PM	#11
orangeuavol GO VOLS! Join Date: May 2001 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 724	The casting numbers have all been ground off. I believe the exhaust manifolds are out of a '72 Monte Carlo. I will be putting in an automatic tranny, don't have the patience to teach the wife to drive a manual. __________________ http://1972blazer.shutterfly.com/<= blazer build pics It's called golf because all the other four letter words were taken. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.



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