[Tpls6Tate]

Well I was told that my '68 was originaly a big block...NOT SO.I went to visit FastLanes Car sales here in St. Charles and they had 4 Cameros. 1 of which was a big block. I found that the heater core tubes come out at a different location to leave room for the valve cover at the fire wall so I would have to change that on mine. How much trouble would that be??? I got a SMOKEIN deal offered to me on a big block. I also tried to research the bell housing and if I am reading it right the small and sb and bb take the same one???is that right?

Thanks in advance for all the info and support I can get.

[bigblockragtop]

I went from 6 cyl to bb it was not hard to swap out the heater core etc. I took the fender off to make it easier. An old mechanic told me I could have just cut off the bolt that was only reachable with out the fender but it was done already. Bell housing is all the same from 6cyl to bb. You would have to get stands. There are tons of posts on this do a search.

[William]

Not quite that simple. A BB is mounted 1" right of center and about 3/8" forward of the sb position as measured at the rear face of the block. This requires specific '67-'68 BB frame stands, BB radiator & shroud [23" core] and BB trans crossmember, one for 4-speed, another for auto. The cross-shaft is BB only also; about 5/8" longer. The BB heater core is not the same as SB; the heater is slightly different to accomodate the core and the cover has the holes punched in it. Other minor stuff like carb rod, some wiring and battery cables were also different. Most BBs used the 11" clutch; SB depends on the specific engine.

Sure you can hack n' slash a BB in. Doing it right is a bit more involved.

[PowerWindows]

Well there's your problem right there: You have a Camero and most of the rest of us have a Camaro...

Sorry but I just couldn't resist

Like William stated you can do it correctly by purchasing all the right ingredients (frame stands, motor mounts, tranny mount, accelerator rod + heater core and radiator stuff) or you can hack it. I choose to buy (or found in the yard back in the 70's-80's) all the right items (car in my sig was a 327/210 w/PG) and it fit like a glove.

[TJS69]

The offset is only 1/2" off of center. If you measure from the carburetor stud to each fender the difference will be 1".

[69L65-4spd]

I thought that there was a sticky by Larger Dave that gave all the small block to big block swap info. Just dont see it.

[Tpls6Tate]

I measured my trans. mount holes and they are off center .5" to the drivers side???

[TJS69]

That would be correct for a big block, if it was to the passenger side. Small Blocks are centered.

[Unreal]

I don't want to split hairs, here, but I think the trans mount is 1/2" to the pass side. I never measured, but I'm betting the fan is closer to 1" to the pass side.

[TJS69]

Gary, The transmission is offset 1/2" to the passenger side. The unequal length of the frame stands and actual offset make that 1/2" offset. Your fan should not be offset any more than that as it only would be if the engine was at an angle... and it isn't. I should say it should not be.

[SY1]

Bell housing info is a little off as well. In 68 alll BBC Camaros got the large bellhousing and 11 inch clutch, 168 tooth flywheel. All 68 SS350 Camaros also got this large bellhousing and flywheel. All 68 Z/28 got the smaller bellhousing and flywheel. Don't know about 6 cyl cars, but remaining v-8 base cars also got the small bellhousing, flywheel.

[tkz69camaro]

If I was going big block I would buy a little insurance with a scatter shield.

[SY1]

Terry has a great point. SBC or BBC I'd never use an aluminum bellhousing. I've seen what happens when a flywheel comes apart. It will take pieces out of the frame, come through the floor depending on how hard you're pushing it. My 302 cars I've seen some cracking, but the last 68 SS car I had the flywheel was full of cracks when I pulled it apart. I'd only had the car 3 months, so hard to tell what it had been through. Scattershield is cheap insurance. Your feet/legs will thank you!

[reddize]

If you have power steering; you might have to go to 9" brake booster instead of the stock 11"...

[TJS69]

Originally Posted by reddize

If you have power steering; you might have to go to 9" brake booster instead of the stock 11"...

Normally this is only with certain aftermarket or "tall" valve covers. Why would power steering have an issue on big blocks and not small blocks ? What does power steering have to do with the booster size ?