I'm going to be replacing my current 350 with a 468 in short order ('64 Chevelle).

1) Hood clearance - what do I have to be concerned about using a stock hood? I'm hoping I can use a high-rise intake with a dropped base air cleaner (like the '66-'69 open element units).

2) Motor/frame mounts - if memory serves I can use the same motor mounts but big block cars get different frame mounts?

3) Headers - any info on other users setups would be appreciated! 1 3/4" primaries will probably be best for my planned engine combo.

4) Springs - should I upgrade?

Thanks in advance -

I just dropped a 454 in my 65. I used a RPM Air Gap with a cowl hood. It would be very close with a stock hood and a drop base, Edelbrock doesn't recommend that it will fit. Use the 66 big block frame mounts and engine mounts.Headers, I used 2" Hookers So I can't recommend a brand since you are looking for 1 3/4". Front springs will need to be upgraded.

I used the stock smallblock frame mounts in the El Camino, fit just fine. Make sure you go with a short water pump setup, not much room with the long ones for a fan. Hood clearance is real tight with stock, I second the cowl hood. Also, oil pan choices are limited. Make sure you ask about fitment if you're thinking about anything other than stock.

Tim, I have a 65 with a big block in it. I used an Air-Gap RPM with a drop base Moroso air cleaner and a 2-1/2" K&N element. Here's a pic:


http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Jeff65SS/bbcengine.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Jeff65SS/bbcengine2.jpg

I will admit that the front edge of the air cleaner is about 1/2" from the hood! I'm not real sure if there are any differences between a 64 and 65 hood though. You could always play it safe and just use an Performer or GMPP manifold as they are not as tall.

As for the motor mounts I used the small block frame stands and energy suspension motor mounts. You'll only need the big block frame stands if you plan on using the orignal style big block motor mounts that have the interlocking tabs to limit travel.

Fellow member Mark502 suggested a set of Hedman headers that fit perfect! I don't remember the part # off the top of my head, I'll look for it at home later today.

After installing the big block my front end wound up sitting about 1/2" lower overall. I already had performance springs so I just added a spacer under the coils it get it where I wanted it.

I've seen both long pumps and short pumps used, I opted for the short because it does give the most room for fan and shroud. Kind of limits the choices for pulleys, alternator and power steering pump locations though.

Good Luck graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Jeff
65 Chevelle
460 ci
12.57 @ 114 mph

Thanks for the replies so far, this is good information.

Jeff65SS, I took a look at your car in the showroom, very nice! I know it's not the right forum, but what size tires/wheels/offset are you running in the rear?

Lets see..... 16 x 8 American Torque Thrust II's with 5" of backspacing. The tires are 245 50 16 Dunlop SP 8000. I sure 255's would fit with 5-1/4" of backspacing.

Tim, your webpage really nice!

Jeff
65 Chevelle
460 ci
12.57 @ 114 mph

Jeff, that is one nice 65 you have there. I also have a 65 that I just got through putting a 427 BBC in. Ditto to most everything said above. I will be using an Air Gap w/ stock hood and yes it will be tight. Small block mounts work fine. Headers were a royal pain so just be ready to tweak them if necessary (I can almost guarantee it). The next tough thing you will encounter are the SWP brackets pulleys, ps (very expensive). You should probably go ahead and upgrade the front springs while you’re at it. I have all Hotchkis and PST suspension and it is awesome and handles like a porche :D

The Hedman headers I used fit perfect without any mods! They even fit better than the small block headers I had before I switched to the big block. I'll try and find the number tonight. Like I said Mark502 found out through trial & error that these fit the best on his 65, I think that they aren't even listed for a chevelle!

Jeff

You will have one huge problem. THe thing is gunna SCREW! :D The weight/hp ratios are beauty with 64 and 65s! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I like the old GM Winters #163 manifolds. Just a schooch shorter than the RPM and I bet you can;t dyno the difference.

Ditto on what Jeff said on the motor mount stands and mounts, Hedman hedders, intake and filter.This is on my 66 though and I'm using the LWP with fan and shroud and no clearance problems.The hedder part #is 68190 or in my case 68196 as I got the HPC coated ones(real nice)and fit exellent with auto or manual tranny as i've had both in the car.4spd. now. Have fun.Tony

The Hedman headers I used fit perfect without any mods! Jeff,
How's the clearance between the collectors and the floor? Enough ground clearance for lowered cars?

Good clearance to the upper control arms?

Tony, good clearance to the floor boards. I think that you could just bearly rotate the collector flange by the floor board if you needed to.
My car is pretty low and the header tubes/collectors are definetly the lowest part of the under carriage! I think the only complaint I had was that the drivers side header tube/collector was about 3/8" lower than the passenger side. Nothing I could do about it though, but I know its there!
Oh... one other thing I recall was that I had to fab 3" doglegs to get the head pipes to pass through the notch in the crossmember as the collectors dumps didn't match up very well, between 3/8" - 1/2" off. I wanted to keep the exhaust as close to the bottom of the car as possible.
These headers have way more clearance by the rear control arm bushing/flange than the two sets of small block header I previously had did.

Jeff

I have hedmans in my 66. Good fit but I did crush the bottom of the headers going fast on a back road.

I used BB mounts and a short water pump. I had a long in at one point but it really takes up the space.

Tim, I checked the Hedman # and tony66 has it right, 68196 for the coated version and 68190 uncoated.

I bought mine uncoated and trial fit them to make sure I wasn't going to run into problems!

You might try getting them direct from Jet-Hot, Team Chevelle members get 20% off! graemlins/hurray.gif

Jeff
65 Chevelle

I like the old GM Winters #163 manifolds. Just a schooch shorter than the RPM and I bet you can;t dyno the difference. [/QB]I thought the Winters intakes were rectangular port only?

Also, thanks for the tips all. And also on the tip on the 20% for Team Chevelle members from Jet Hot!

Tim D.

I went with a shorty header on mine and had to dent up one tube on the drivers side to clear the crossmember.But when I got the car it had Hooker super comps with no clearance issues at all. Other than that 64/65's will swallow up a big block no problem!!! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

where are ya at in Michigan???

Originally posted by Jblack:
where are ya at in Michigan??? Oxford, 9 miles or so due north of The Palace of Auburn Hills. About as far south as I ever cruise is Union Lake though. Ever get up the the American Legion cruises there on Fridays?

Also, did I see you car at Autorama last weekend?

Tim....don't usually go that far north though..except up to the Frankenmuth show in the fall. .Yeah my car was there, ended up with a 3rd place.

Tim, my error, you are correct. Hey, if racer1320 et al are correct it matters not ( although I;ve never done the rect on oval deal). Anyway, the old Edel C396 or an old Stealth would be the same, just schooch smaller than an RPM. Drop base air cleaner bases do wonders, but for any rat 3" filter is minimum for good airflow imho.

You're getting great info here, mine not included. :confused:

Built it stout and build it light! Good luck!

I'll be visiting Davison some weekend in May. I'd love to catch a car show/cruise.

Originally posted by 427L88:
I'll be visiting Davison some weekend in May. I'd love to catch a car show/cruise. There are popular cruises close to Davison, MI on Mondays (downtown Lapeer, MI - 7 miles east of Davison) and Wednesdays (Oxford, MI - 7 miles east, 8 miles south of Davison). Oxford happens to be my home town.

My car won't be road worthy in May, though. The body comes off in 2 weeks and then the refinishing begins... However, I'd like to meet anybody who's put a BBC in a 64-65, so let me know and we'll plan to meet one of those days in May.

It's well worth it !