New to this

[1971ls1longbed]

Hey guys im new to the 47 to 59 body style and i have a few questions before i buy my first one.

How hard is it to put a BBC in to a 49 and what common obsticles can i expect for a swap like this?

Is there anything I should look out for as far as problems down the road with finding parts?

And where can i start looking for aftermarket parts for this body style?

[mr48chev]

Steering box clearance is the big issue along with probably having to recess the firewall a bit. That is with the stock I beam and steering box though.

Most of the same suppliers that sell stuff for the 67/71 trucks also have a line of stuff for the AD trucks.

Having fooled with these trucks since 1973 the best advice I can give is hunt for a truck with the best overall sheet metal you can find. And don't pay a premium for things you won't be using unless you have a ready market for them.

[1971ls1longbed]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Steering box clearance is the big issue along with probably having to recess the firewall a bit. That is with the stock I beam and steering box though.

Most of the same suppliers that sell stuff for the 67/71 trucks also have a line of stuff for the AD trucks.

Having fooled with these trucks since 1973 the best advice I can give is hunt for a truck with the best overall sheet metal you can find. And don't pay a premium for things you won't be using unless you have a ready market for them.

im looking at an Arizona truck with no rot at all so the sheet metal ist a big deal

[Dan Bowles]

You might think about a suspension upgrade if you are going for the poewr of a BBC. Weight wise, they are only a bit more than the stock 216/235 I6 that were in there. You can get most all of the aftermarket parts for these trucks these days so you can upgrade to PS or at least a manual box to get away from the stock box that will give you clearance issues.

You can get disc brake conversions, mounts for the motor/trans, details on which rear end to go with to ditch the torque tube, gauges, seats, whatever it is you are looking for.

[1971ls1longbed]

Originally Posted by Dan Bowles

You might think about a suspension upgrade if you are going for the poewr of a BBC. Weight wise, they are only a bit more than the stock 216/235 I6 that were in there. You can get most all of the aftermarket parts for these trucks these days so you can upgrade to PS or at least a manual box to get away from the stock box that will give you clearance issues.

You can get disc brake conversions, mounts for the motor/trans, details on which rear end to go with to ditch the torque tube, gauges, seats, whatever it is you are looking for.

What about headers
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[Dan Bowles]

Most folks run SBCs and go for block hugger types. I don't know much about BBCs in these yet but I'm about to learn in the 1 ton I'm putting together with my 15 year old son.

I personally am not a header fan. I work in OE exhaust and really don't like the fact that they tend to rot out, come lose, and don't fit anywhere near what they should. It's a personal thing and I'm sure there will be those that chime in and tell me I'm full of it. As I've been married for almost 20 years and have 2 teen agers, I'm used to that.

[1971ls1longbed]

Originally Posted by Dan Bowles

Most folks run SBCs and go for block hugger types. I don't know much about BBCs in these yet but I'm about to learn in the 1 ton I'm putting together with my 15 year old son.

I personally am not a header fan. I work in OE exhaust and really don't like the fact that they tend to rot out, come lose, and don't fit anywhere near what they should. It's a personal thing and I'm sure there will be those that chime in and tell me I'm full of it. As I've been married for almost 20 years and have 2 teen agers, I'm used to that.

Well if I can't find them for a BBC ill have to make them at work out of stainless
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[Dan Bowles]

You might be better off that way. If you can get to 439 or 321 stainless, they'll last longer. The high exhaust gas temps and the corrosive qualities of the mix coming out like to eat the 409s. 304 is probably OK, still.

[1971ls1longbed]

Originally Posted by Dan Bowles

You might be better off that way. If you can get to 439 or 321 stainless, they'll last longer. The high exhaust gas temps and the corrosive qualities of the mix coming out like to eat the 409s. 304 is probably OK, still.

thanks for the advice about the metal

[Dan Bowles]

300 series you can still polish if you so desire.