ZZ4x4

[nyncompute]

I have a chance to buy a crate motor from a coworker. It is the 355 hp chevy with the aluminium heads still in the box for $2500. Question: How will this be in my 72 swb 4x4? Any body else done this? If so, what were the issues associated with the swap?

[mt Al]

Haven'y posted here for years and it still remembers my password!

My friend put a zz into his 71 4x4. I recall that he needed to swap the alternator to the other side, put on an electric fuel pump, get new rad hoses and a bunch of linkage stuff from lockar.

I drove it and it scooted along nicely. We live in Montana, so carbs kind of suck in the winter (flooding, cold starts) so he's thinking about FI next. Its a daily driver, about 60 miles a day, so it will make a difference for him.

I'm sure there are people w/much more knowledge than me.

[ckhd]

I haven't done that specific swap, but it will be just like any other high perf swap (I know 355hp isn't really that high of perf, but compared to stock it is).

If it's already set up for a small block, it will drop right in. I don't know if that particular engine comes with an intake or carb, so that might have to be switched over.

One word of advice is to make sure your cooling system is up to snuff. At the very least, flush it all out BEFORE you put the new engine in (who wants all that crud washing into a brand new engine?) If it doesn't come with a water pump, don't use your old one.

Anyway, as for "how will it be", it will be freakin' awesome! I put a 355 that was rated in the low 300's for HP into my '69 K10 and I LOVED it. I did have a lot of cooling problems, mainly because of my 30 year old radiator. You can get a 4-core modine for about $150, so I think it's worth it to just replace it while you're doing it.

Oh, check out your u-joints & things like that. I had one that died shortly after I did the swap... probably because I was really letting those ponies run.