help with big block swap!!
 

hey guys...i'm in the process of swapping my 67 sport fury's lil 318 with a 383 crate engine i got off a guy for dirt cheap. i need a couple of things that i didnt anticipate.
1st thing is power steering pump bracket. 2nd thing i crankshaft pulley with 2 belt grooves. and 3rd thing is a water pump housing that the outlet comes out on the drivers side.
I'm on a limited budget so if any of u wonderful ppl out there has any of this or knows where a guy can pick these items up for not too outrageous price lemme know plz.

also...i am just getting this swap started...so if anyone has done this and has any advice or ran into any other pitfalls that i need to adress then plz...any advice is much appreciated...thx

What are you doing about the transmission? A small block housing and a big block housing are different.

As far as the brackets and pulleys, you will need the alternator and power steering pump bracket from, or for, a car without air conditioning along with the double crank pulley and the correct water pump pulley in order for everything to line up. These items used to be common in the wrecking yards but, it's not like that any more.

Good luck and be patient! Rick

yeah...i got the engine and tranny as a package

as for the other stuff....it looks to me like the alternator bracket is gonna work.

i've tried every local junkyard i can think of and nobody has anything for a 383.

So if anybody lives in central iowa and knows where i can acquire these things.... thx again guys

Don't limit yourself You could use older 413,440,400 parts with minor mods car,truck,van

Are the K-members different too(big block/small block)? I have been told that they are in an A-body, so I was wondering if they were in a C-body. Good luck, I'd have to look through my stock, but it's possible, I've got some big block stuff from an old Newport and Imperial. I'll have to look for the items you mentioned, and I'm down here in GA, so we'd have to figure out something about the shipping, but let me check and see what I have first!

lgad

Well, the ignition harness will need to be extended due to the coil and the dizzy location. And if the front wheels come off the ground when you are lifting the motor....STOP! You would'nt be the first one that forgot something!

Quote
(Are the K-members different too(big block/small block)? )

C- bodies do not have "K" members they have a sub frame and yes the motor mounts are different. I don't know if custom brakets are available for these. Try schumaker. Other wise you will need to swap the sub frame. A lot of work the front clip will need to be removed. I hope you can find some custom brakets.

ok....new problem....went to drop in the motor...the 383 exhaust manifold on the drivers side hits the steering box.

looking for a set of headers that might work for me....any suggestions?

i found hedman part# 78070 that i think might work..plus they are within my budget.

i'd like to know for sure before i just order a set so if anyone has done this swap then plz let me know.

thx for all the help and ideas thus far guys....its been a long and frustrating road but i almost got it..lol

Try Schumacher Creative Services. (www.engine-swaps.com)
The Tri-Y headers may fit. They are nice people to deal with.

yeah...looks like the schumachers tri y are the way to go...however they are kinda out of my budget.

i'm going with the hedman block huggers and hoping they work...lol...we'll see in a week or so

(quote) the 383 exhaust manifold on the drivers side hits the steering box.
Hits the box? That doesnt sound right, usually some thing would contact the steering comlumn. Headers are a big pain in a c-body not a popular body style yet so not much out there. You might find it easier to get the right manifolds.
Was there any problem with the motor mounts? I thought they were different for small to big block. Might be the motor isn't setting just right does it look straight? I won't be surprised to find out I was wrong, it just seems this was a known fact, might be the same as the rumor that 76 and later 400 blocks were thin wall and could not be bored much. That one seems to have been false, but was once concidered common knowledge. Good luck with your swap.

hehe, when i was going to swap in a biggie for my '68, everyone told me about the k-member troubles. interesting that they don't even have one. i have since decided to warm the 318 up with some street tricks but leave it totally drivable. on paper, the thing should put out around 330 horses, but i'd be satisfied with 290 hehe.

the motor mounts have got to be different, right? i hope those hedmans work out for ya man; let us know! :)

yeah the motor mounts are different than the small block ones...no big deal...they bolt in same place.

got the hedmans today...got my fingers crossed...wish me luck...and ill let ya know

Nice, man! GOOD luck! :)

A 383 should fit with the stock manifold with room to spare... Could you have the motor mount insulators in backwards causing the motor to not settle down all the way

just an update...ALMOST there...the motor and tranny are in the car...ended up goin with the block hugger headers..and had to get a different oil pan to make it fit...but they are in...just ordered a mini starter cause the regular starter is just a tad too big...just waitin on that and then have some exhaust bent and ill be on the road.

Wow, awesome! Can't wait to see it.

Update: FINALLY!!! got it done....and its a BEAST!!...lol.

man that was a loooong hard and EXPENSIVE road...but i think well worth it. the only problem is...i think i better start pricing new tires...lol. its tough not to burn some rubber now that i have the ability...hehe...hopefully that tendency wears off with the newness...lol.
The 1st ride around the block after i had it done was THE BEST. i swear i probably looked like the joker, i had such a wide sh!t eating grin on my face...hehe.
ill try and post some pics and ty for the input from u guys these last few months.

tiotally incorrect