I'm starting to collect all the parts necessary to swap my 383 stroker SBC for a 461 cubic inch BBC, but I have a few questions yet. Hope somebody out there can help me out.

1) I plan on pulling the front end off the car to make it easier to perform this engine swap. Can anyone tell me how to remove the lower molding that runs between the front and rear wheels on a '66 SS?

2) Gotta have a bigger radiator. Can anyone tell me if I need a 3 or 4 core radiator? Can you recommend a good company that sells new one? Does anyone have any experience with an aluminum radiator, and what I need to look for if I go that route?

3) I plan on using a Muncie 4 speed I purchased recently, but noticed that the speedometer cable exits the tail housing on the passenger side, rather than the driver's side of the vehicle. Does anyone know why this is, and can I just get a longer speedo cable with this?

4) Can anyone recommend a good brand of Headers for a '66 Chevelle application?


Would appreciate any and all help anyone can give me.

1.just leave the front clip on;use car covers and be careful.
2.I recommend using a four core. I am still using my three core on my 402 bbc, and it runs between 190-198. Your motor is probably much more radical than mine, and will require more cooling power of a 4 core. Try Ted Williams Enterprizes in Ohio.
3.I don't know why its on the other side-my old t-10 was the same way. A longer cable will work,just be careful of how much more length you really need, and how you route it.
4.As far as headers are concerned, avoid Flow Tech headers. I purchased a set of Flow Tech cerama coat headers, due to there beauty and low price of $199,and what a nightmare were they to install! No starter will clear the passenger side header. I had to take a mini starter and turn it 180 degrees on its mount block,have a friend drill and tap new holes, and then reinstall my new mini starter with the solenoid facing the ground! I recommend spending a couple of extra bucks on a set of Hooker super comps, as there are far more likely to fit better. Feel free to email me with furhter swap questions, as I just completed the small block/4speed to big block/automatic swap on my '67, wich is really the same car.

The cable should be on the passenger side. It exits below the heater box and attaches to the floor pan in two locations to keep it off the exhaust. I had a '65 once and it was on the passenger side also. I bought cable 25032383 in May of this year with a list price of $21.14. I paid $14.36. Hope this helps,

well i have a 66 396 with the stock 3 core and it is too small. if i stay at about 50-55 mph its fine all dy but run the rpms up when doing 60-65 and up goes the temp. Griffen makes excellent replacement aluminum radiators. i bought one and havent had a problem since doing 70+ mph. and as for speedo this is the correct location. cable comes out of firewall and goes under the bell housing and then to the rear side of the trans. as for headders. I have used them all and the three best fitting are in order, hookers, dyno max and headdman. all work excellent. my favorite is the dyno max and exact hooker copy for less money.