ENGINE SWAP
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
ENGINE SWAP
Paul
A lot of the decision has to come down to the experience level of the builder. I have probably done 100 various stock installs and maybe 10 engine swaps to a different engine family. The stock swaps are done in a few days or weeks, with a major swap, you are ironing out details for a half a year. If you add up all the ten dollar receipts, you end up spending similar money. I know Y-blocks or flattys are expensive to rebuild but I would submit a engine swap done right is just as expensive. You know going in the Y-block will present no clearance problems, the radiator will be the right size, the wires are where they need to be. An on and on. A rookie can really get into trouble fast or get to the end of the money with a setup that is far from running. If Shane swaps though, he does have the ideal situation. The entire car is there and he can avoid 15 twenty dollar trips to the salvage yard. I wasted a lot of money by starting with a used up 302 longblock.
'fenders
A lot of the decision has to come down to the experience level of the builder. I have probably done 100 various stock installs and maybe 10 engine swaps to a different engine family. The stock swaps are done in a few days or weeks, with a major swap, you are ironing out details for a half a year. If you add up all the ten dollar receipts, you end up spending similar money. I know Y-blocks or flattys are expensive to rebuild but I would submit a engine swap done right is just as expensive. You know going in the Y-block will present no clearance problems, the radiator will be the right size, the wires are where they need to be. An on and on. A rookie can really get into trouble fast or get to the end of the money with a setup that is far from running. If Shane swaps though, he does have the ideal situation. The entire car is there and he can avoid 15 twenty dollar trips to the salvage yard. I wasted a lot of money by starting with a used up 302 longblock.
'fenders
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 2
From: Boise, Idaho
ENGINE SWAP
Hey there, Dewayne,
You're right on about engine swaps being more work. You'd think that swapping a Chevy 400 small block into a 55 Chevy would be a snap. Not that easy. To use the bellhousing mounts (and stock bellhousing) you would either have to swap in a smaller flywheel with the 400 balance (which is a custom piece) or you'd have to get a bellhousing from a late 50's Chevy truck that would clear the 11" flywheel.
The front mounts needed to be notched to clear the balalncer, the starter comes from a 68 Chevy II, etc., etc. It's interesting if you have time ans shop space, it's frustrating if you're in a hurry.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
ENGINE SWAP
Paul
I would have guessed any SB Chevy into a 55 Chevy to be a weekend project. When I decided to put a 302 into my 53. It appeared I would have 4 inches of leeway in any direction for the install. NOT!!! Every little adjustment caused a new clearance problem. Easy to get most any engine into the the compartment of an F100. Now putting it in there right so you have good geometry and clearances, now that's quite another story. Like you said, the challenge is the fun. But throwing brand new parts in the trash that you modified and they don't work out gets frustrating. I have a lot of respect for anyone who can properly install a 460 or other Ford pigmotor in these things without hacking the firewall or floorboard tunnel and running an electric fan.
Dewayne
I would have guessed any SB Chevy into a 55 Chevy to be a weekend project. When I decided to put a 302 into my 53. It appeared I would have 4 inches of leeway in any direction for the install. NOT!!! Every little adjustment caused a new clearance problem. Easy to get most any engine into the the compartment of an F100. Now putting it in there right so you have good geometry and clearances, now that's quite another story. Like you said, the challenge is the fun. But throwing brand new parts in the trash that you modified and they don't work out gets frustrating. I have a lot of respect for anyone who can properly install a 460 or other Ford pigmotor in these things without hacking the firewall or floorboard tunnel and running an electric fan.
Dewayne
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
ENGINE SWAP
Most of my sweat over the past 40 years has been swaps. After awhile you learn to automatically anticipate the problems and it just becomes another job.
Just finished helping a buddy put a 460/C6/9" in his 56. Mechanical fan also.
Straightforeward and only had to make one slight change to get the driveshaft angle deadnuts on.
Donor for all was a 74 LTD ex cop car that had the engine/tranny rebuilt about 12K prior.
Only problem is keeping the tires from spinning, that pig has too much torque!
Just finished helping a buddy put a 460/C6/9" in his 56. Mechanical fan also.
Straightforeward and only had to make one slight change to get the driveshaft angle deadnuts on.
Donor for all was a 74 LTD ex cop car that had the engine/tranny rebuilt about 12K prior.
Only problem is keeping the tires from spinning, that pig has too much torque!
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