1966 454 swap questions

[66rat]

I have a 66 C10 and a buddy of mine has a 454 that he is willing to give up for cheap. How involved is this swap? Can you pretty much just drop it in with some big block mounts and be done, or do you have to modify the firewall or move the engine forward and get a longer driveshaft?

[protrash64]

Fairly drop in....can use the factory smallblock mounts, 67-72 BB mounts, or 73-87 mounts. They all have different but similar things to screw with. I've read that tall valve covers are a pain to make fit, dont know for sure. Headers/exhaust is another issue to deal with, but thats to be expected. I think long tube 73-87 headers will work, again, not sure. I have the parts but have not done this yet, so....not exactly sure on some things. Good luck.

[NF65Fleetside]

Its basically a drop in affair if you already have v8 mounts. Only clearance issues you will have are full length headers, you can use 67-72 big block headers but will have to trim the driver side frame rail between 1/4 and 5/8 depending on tube diameter. Lastly if you use tall valve covers clearance of the MC and Booster might be an issue but I used regular covers with no problem at all and had tons of room for my dizzy too.
Do it, theres nothing like cruise'n with a bbc under the hood!

[Captainfab]

I used the '73-'87 style mounts, but made some custom frame brackets to move the engine ahead 2" so I could run taller valve covers. For headers I used the ones for the '73-'87 . As was already mentioned, you'll have to trim the top flange of the frame for header and possibly motor mount clearance. The '67-'71 BB frame brackets might move the engine ahead enough to run taller valve covers.

[Chevy Fleetside]

I tried the 67-72 BB mounts but couldn't make them work. Plus if you can't find them used they will run over $300 new. The motor mounts are expensive. I went with the tubular mounts for $129 instead. i didn't want the 73-87 mounts as I didn't like the way they look. I had to trim the top of the frame though. I think they look ok.

[Captainfab]

Here are the '67-'71 big block frame brackets and motor mounts. Are these the ones you tried Chevy Fleetside?


They look like they would work, plus they would move the engine forward a little. I haven't priced the motor mounts though. I see they are a bit different than the SB mounts. I know that the '72 big block frame brackets and mounts are expensive (they are one year only)

[Chevy Fleetside]

I did try those. I didn't want to trim back the frame at that time. Plus to get them new it is over $300. They probably would have worked if I trimmed them in.

[66rat]

Where did you get those tubular mounts and what year are they for?

[Chevy Fleetside]

Originally Posted by 66rat

Where did you get those tubular mounts and what year are they for?

bottom of the page middle column. http://www.truckandcarshop.com/trucks60_72/t60_097.html