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| | | | Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 1 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 1 | Has any seen a big block in a 37-38? I am wondering if one will fit without having to strech the front end. | | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 3 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: May 2000 Posts: 3 | hey beef...i'm no BBC expert, but from memory if you have a SBC/TH400 in it, then all you need do is make sure you have an extra 2 inches clearance between the fan & the radiator (with SBC fitted) and the BBC should fit. My guess is, a little more if you have a long water pump on your SBC.
If you use the same box, then you use the same engine/gearbox mounts. side clearance should be ok, but maybe tight near the steering shaft. that a help?
hope so,
cheers
peter | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1 | Beefller:
I know this may sound like blasphemy butunless you've got your heart set oon a BBC you might want to look into a 472 or 500 cubic inch Caddy engine. They are ideally suited for truck use. Tons of torque, cheaper from bone yards than BBC and they are I am told lighter.
BuBBA B
52-3604
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 247 Member | | Member Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 247 | I'm getting ready to drop a 500 cad motor in my 66 3/4 4x4. I drove it before yanking it - it had a lot of power. More than a BBC in my opinion, supposed to get better mileage too. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,897 Member | | Member Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,897 | Just met a guy who has a 46 GMC with a 454 in it  I am soon (few months or so)to be putting a 472 caddy engine with TH400 in a 71 Chevy 3/4 2wd 
There is enough good in the worst of us and enough bad in the best of us that it does not behoove any of us to criticize the rest of us.
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Be yourself. If you are ever lost, It will be much easier to find yourself if you know who you are!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2001 Posts: 38 Member | | Member Joined: Nov 2001 Posts: 38 | Bee,
37-38 are very close to my 1936 and I did some asking about this on my 36 Chevy list. A guy there has a blown 427 in a 36 P/U but he had to notch the firewall. The blower drive would eat up at least 3 inches so you may just sneek by with out. I was going to go the big block route on my truck but now I am looking for an LT-1, I like the mileage and injection on the small block better.
Steve Lemberg
1936 Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton truck
1970 Mercedes 280SE 3.5 coupe
1987 Mercedes 560SEC supercharged
1989 Mercedes 300CE 5.0 M119
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 58 Member | | Member Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 58 | Don't knock the BBC for mileage. Just put a 425hp 454 crate in my 41 cpe along with a 700R4, 3.42 gear and with less than 400 mi on the motor got 17mpg on the highway cruising at 75 and 80 was only turning 2300 rpm. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,897 Member | | Member Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,897 | Even though this is a thread from september 2000, I thought it might get some more mileage with the new people here Steve, I thought you were keeping your truck stock :confused: LOL I am sure it will be great either way
There is enough good in the worst of us and enough bad in the best of us that it does not behoove any of us to criticize the rest of us.
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Be yourself. If you are ever lost, It will be much easier to find yourself if you know who you are!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2001 Posts: 38 Member | | Member Joined: Nov 2001 Posts: 38 | Luke, I am going to put a updated drive line in so I can USE my truck. I am keeping everything and as you know I just rebuilt the rear end and tranny. I want it to look stock and I think I am going to keep the rear end and enclosed drive shaft with my new engine and trans. An overdrive trans will give me about 2700 RPM at freeway speed with my gears. I am not going to hack my truck up but, I do want to use it on the freeway and tow a boat. It will be a wolf in sheeps skins 
Steve Lemberg
1936 Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton truck
1970 Mercedes 280SE 3.5 coupe
1987 Mercedes 560SEC supercharged
1989 Mercedes 300CE 5.0 M119
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