I would like to find a nice big-block. I was looking for a 396, or 427, just to be different. But, where can I find them? I cant afford a new engine, infact I cant really afford anything over 1,000 dollars. It doesnt have to be in the best of shape, and I have a carb and the like laying around, anyone have any ideas? Oh, and how would I go about putting new mounts in if my old mounts were welded to the frame?

Dont know about Pa. but around here(Carolinas)a nice big block's gonna start above your $1000. One can however still find a few 454s in the salvage yards in pickups if you find them before word gets around. As for the mounts carefully tourch or grind the welded mounts off(you might have to use BBDs hammer too). I assume your talking about a GM frame so there should be some mount holes there. Why are they welded in?

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Life aint easy when you're fat and greasy!

Ask the last owner that http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif Also, what would be better for street use, a big block, or converting my 350 to a 383 stroker? Anyone know what a good stoker kit runs?

One reason to weld them in is that some of the nuts/bolts cannot be easily reached when the lower control arm is in place. So, if someone changed mount stands, they may have taken the easy way out: torch off the old and weld on the new.

The BBCs around my way are few under $3000.
You may jusy want to find a block and build as you can.

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JARRET GRATHWOL
TEAM CHEVELLE MEMBER #573
1970 Chevelle SS 396
You can see my Chevelle SS here:
http://www.geocities.com/stangsvt99/Jarret_s__70_Chevelle_SS.html

If you are expecting to find a complete running BBC set-up for $1000, good luck! They're out there, but it'll be tough to find. Junkyard engines are fine, but most aren't running and you'll probably end up spending a ton of money on new parts. Stroker kits aren't all that expensive. But, you also may have to have the block and/or heads machined, which of course will cost more $$$. Speed-O-Motive (http://www.speedomotive.com) has some stroker kits for you at pretty reasonable prices. And, they have an excellent reputation.

I don't mean to rain on your parade, so to speak. Just want to make you aware of all the fun little expenses involved with engine building. I found out the hard way when I was in college. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/rolleyes.gif Needless to say, I was broke for my senior year in school buying new engines and parts and trying to build my Chevelle the way I wanted.

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Jeremy J. Bennett
Team Chevelle #298
Currently Chevelle-less!
1972 Chevelle (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/72CHEVELLE2.jpg) - Sold 6/16/00

[This message has been edited by 72CHEVELLE (edited 09-08-2000).]

Milk Man ( sorry Moloko means milk in my native tongue) - around here, which is not that different from around your way, trats can be had for around 1500 if you keep your eyes open. I sold my 396, fresh, for 1500. Saw an ad in a local resto shop yesterday 454, fresh 1700. So they are out there.

Piece meal it. Find a nice 454 block. then a 396 stell crank, heads etc. and build one up as you can afford it.

Now I;ve never run a 383 stroker, but I have run a hot 350 LT1 clone. It was on par with my mild 396, but the 435HP 427 is a league above.

Experts here will confirm this but on Chevelles I do not believe you need to change out the frame mounts between BBC and SBC. Thats a Camaro thing.

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Gene #62gold/ACES
67 SS396/(427L88) (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/chaas00.jpg)

Also keep in mind that a SB to BB swap will require a change to additional items such as brackets and mounts for accessories (power steering, alternator, a/c, etc.), likely a different radiator and shroud and on and on.

I swapped a SB400 into my 69 pickup which had a 307 in it to start with. I had enough trouble getting the 400 to fit in the same place a another SB so I don't even want to think what a SB to BB swap would have caused. Of course the 400 SB is kind of an odd bird so this didn't really surprise me, but my point is expect quite a few more challenges than might occur to you at first.

I'd rebuild the 350 you've got. Small blocks are always less expensive to build and maintain than big blocks.

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Rich's 1965 Malibu SS Restoration Project Progress Page (http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/flats/8627/)
1:18 scale diecast car Detailing by Scooter (http://www.amhost.com/scooter/)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gene Chas:
Milk Man ( sorry Moloko means milk in my native tongue) -
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Anyone familiar with the movie A Clockwork Orange?

Big Blocks can get a little pricey, but if it helps you any, I got mine for $1800. They are out there, but you already have your small block in your possesion. I'd take that puppy and trow(thats right trow) in a set of forged pistons and a forged crank and spray the snot out of that f#cker.

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"Too fast for love"
Dave Armstrong...New York!
'67 Chevelle 396/Th400/4.10

find a old beat-up truck that has a bbc and part it, you get the motor and trans for almost free. This does work... There is a 70's big-10 truck just down the road the guy wants $1300 it has 454 and a 400 turbo.

The big blocks are out there. you just need to beat the bushes to find them. I just pulled a 454 out of a 77 suburban I bought complete for $700. Drove it home, pulled the engine and tranny, junked the rest. If you do it this way, you can use the brackets, pulleys and belts from the donor too! I got lucky when i opened it up. I liked what i found, swapped in a new cam/lifters/chain, new intake and carb and off she went. You diddn't say what you wanted to put it in, but i did it in my 71 malibu. the motor mounts were the same (was a 350) . the only thing you might need to look at are a short flex fan spacer, and trimming your radiator shroud around the harmonic balancer. pull your power sterring pully off and use the brackets from the donor truck on your pump if possible. all said and done, turn key, it cost me $1400.

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Pete Triolo
71 Malibu 454
87 K5
Classic Cars and Trucks of Beaufort #71

Its a 68' but the welded in mounts look to be home made.

Moloko,

Hey dude, just one question. Last week you were saying your car had too much power and were going to sell for something tamer. Now you want to put a Big Block in your no steer car? Whaatssup? http://www.chevelles.com/forum/confused.gif
OK, that was 2 questions. Here's 1 more.
Did you get your steering problems fixed yet? Just an opinion/word of advise, make the car driveable & controlable before making her go fast, would hate to hear that you stacked her up because you couldn't make a turn while haullinA$$. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/eek.gif
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for going fast, but you gotta be able to stop & steer to avoid idjits in our way.
Can I get an AMEN? http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Good luck on what ever you decide.

L8tr, Wes O.

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"When the job gets you down, and life's a drag,..........RACE!!"

What's black, blue, purple & yellow all over?...
...No it's not a bruised banana!
You'll just have to check my site below to find out.

The Project Begins! Watch as it progresses at: My '68 El Camino Project (http://www.angelfire.com/ca6/1LoElco/)
Thanks Steve D.

[QUOTE]Speed-O-Motive (http://www.speedomotive.com) has some stroker kits for you at pretty reasonable prices. And, they have an excellent reputation.

I went on this "excellent reputation" and got S#$#^ed. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/mad.gif I ordered the eng zero decked and when I got it it had a .015" deck to piston clearence. Also the oil filter adapter was some old used piece that was full of dirt in the bypass valve, and one of the heads they sold me had a valve seat that was all banged up and the bowl looked like some one took a hammer to it.

Well, a valve just blew in my car, which in turn let dirty oil in, which in turn scratched the cyl. wall, and that caused oil to go pass the rings, which makes it burn oil. Anyway, I already found a new 350 (well, not "new" but new to me). The reason I was thinking about getting a BB was because it already had BB springs in it, so I was like "Hey, the car seems to WANT a bb..." Anyway, the car will run again soon.... hopefully. And Im getting new springs on soon, along with a ps system at some point. As for the brakes, I have no plans to do anything with them at this point.

my buddy just sold a 454 out of a 1 ton truck for 700.
they are out there.you just have to look