[blackbird307]

I hate to do this, but I couldn't find a radiator that would fit with my 230 inline 6. To add to matters, even though I drained the engine, water was still trapped in areas causing the block to crack over the winter . I don't even know the full extent of the damage. I have a four door 1966 beaumont sedan. I love my inline 6, but if I am going to replace my engine I figure id go with a 350 sbc since the parts are far easier to find.

I was wonder how placing a 350 V8 in would work. Would I have to change the engine mount locations? I don't really want to drill new holes. I also noticed that my clutch (i think) is mounted onto my engine somehow. I have a three on the tree, I am not too sure what configuration the 350 V8 would need to keep it that way. Would I need to create some sort of bracket or adapter? If so this wouldn't be too much of a problem.

Thanks for the incite.

 

[blackbird307]

What was so tough about finding a radiator? measure the height and width of your core, not including the tanks, then check ebay for a universal replacement of similar size.

That's the problem though, I measured the radiator and its a very tight fit. It's something unique to 4 door sedans. There doesn't seem to be any aftermarket or reproduction ones which are small enough. The only one I managed to find was from someone who was across the country, and even that was in poor condition.

Also, my engine mounts will need to be replace anyways since it was the cause of my problems to begin with.

 

[blackbird307]

what's wrong with this one? cheap and cools great.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FOR-64-67-C...ADIATOR-/151290769763?fits=Year:1966|Model:Chevelle&hash=item2339a1f163&vxp=mtr

One would think it would fit, but it won't. The core in my original radiator was roughly and inch and a half thick. The tanks were no more than 2 inches wide.


Long story short, the small block radiators which normally accompany small blocks are too big from what I found out. They are too big by half an inch.

So what actually happened to your car? did the engine shift forward and hit the radiator? The transmission would also have to be completely broken for this to happen.

I am assuming that happened. There is only half to a full inch of distance from my fan and radiator. I don't even have a spacer either. Whenever I slowed down I can hear my fan hitting the radiator.

In the last pic you can see a regular small block radiator in. It just barely fits, but the fan smacks right into the tanks of the rad.

EDIT: The water pump has a longer shaft than the ones for the SBC V8s. But if I use a shorter water pump the fan hits the thermostat. On top of that, the pulleys don't even align anymore.

Thanks for the help

 

[blackbird307]

I am still confused about the smaller than normal radiator. I don't understand why some people can fit the same normal sized small block radiator with an inline 6 as shown in picture above, but I can't. Because that radiator came from a Pontiac parisienne with an inline 6. I should be able to fit the radiator in if my water pump was slightly shorter. But I cant make it shorter.

I was looking at this:
http://forums.h-body.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=29667&hilit=engine+dimensions
http://www.enginefactory.com/chevdimensions.htm

Are these specifications consistent?

A small block 350 V8 is just as long slightly as a big block? That makes no sense!
I measure my inline 6 from back to waterpump and it's roughly over 31 inches.

If this is the case, I would have more room with a SBC V8.

 

[blackbird307]

I decided to go with a sbc v8. I need mounts. Do these go together? It looks like it, but I want to be sure.

I have a 66 chevelle and a 350 sbc. These frame mounts say 327, but if I am correct they should work with big blocks aswell, thus compatible with any v8. Except 307???

http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/gmk-4030-335641p/overview/
http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/ptp-7-504/overview/

Thanks again for everyone's help. It's been educational

 

[blackbird307]

I got the engine mounts suggested. Just curious what the difference was. The picture representation of both are almost identical.

Also I am having a hard time figuring out where the clutch linkage mounts on my engine. My linkage looks like this. http://www.ss396.com/chevelle/FCH-67A.html

The Z shaped part mounts onto the engine block my 230. But I cant see a spot on my 350.

 

[blackbird307]

Couldn't I just fabricate an adapter? Im sure it wouldn't be hard.

What's the best way to hoist a 230? I can't find any corner bolts or something sturdy to hook on anywhere.

 

[blackbird307]

I hoisted the engine, just installing the new frame mounts.

I notice the bots are rusted to hell, and are starting to strip. I am planning on putting newer bolts in. Should I use fine thread or coarse thread?

I can imagine that finer threads would help secure the frame mounts for a tighter fit. However they could be a pain to loosen in the future if they corrode, and they are already in a hard to get at place. So I am not sure what the best decision would be.

 

[blackbird307]

I am trying to install my power steering pup and alternator. I am a little confused with the bracket placement. Everything makes sense except for this one piece, which is apparently for the upper power steering bracket. I can't figure out where I bolt it to.

Here is the picture of my setup so far.

The parts I purchased
http://trueconnections.com/64-68-CH...LLE-_-EL-CAMINO-POWER-STEERING-LOWER-CRADLE-BRACKET-FOR-SB/productinfo/PB-6401/

http://trueconnections.com/64-68-CH...E-_-EL-CAMINO-UPPER-POWER-STEERING-ADJUSTER-BRACKET-FOR-SB/productinfo/PB-6400/

thanks

 

[blackbird307]

I drilled holes in my engine block for the z-bar stud, but when I try and thread them with a tap kit, it keeps slipping, then catching, and then slipping again, almost as if the block was made of lead or something. I started with a qtr inch..... now it's a 3/8 size hole