[TheQ]

Yes, I'm planning on doing an engine swap in the near future and was wondering if I would have any problems installing it in my plaine jane 68 coupe. I plan on putting in a Vintage Air system so that would get rid of the heater core box. Also anyone deal with this Vintage Air system any ups or downs? I plan on installing the following engine and wanted to know what I would have to do to make it fit any modifications to the compartment that will be needed.

454 Gen V 4 bolt main block, GM 454 New steel crankshaft, Stage 3 superstock rods with ARP bolts, Keith Black hypereutectic pistons (10:1 comp), Crane 282 or 292 cam, Heavy duty Cloyes timing set, Michigan 77 bearings High volume oil pump, Fel-Pro gaskets World Products Merlin oval or rectangle port heads, New stainless 2.25" intake valves, New stainless 1.88" exhaust valves, Hard seats and guides for unleaded or reg fuel, Screw in studs and guide plates, New Crane springs, New Comp Cams "3/8" heavy duty pushrods, Competition Cams roller tip rocker arms, New oil pan, timing cover and chrome valve covers, New water pump, New GM harmonic balancer damper, New heavy duty flexplate, Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold

and of course a set of Hooker headers not sure which ones the comp. or super comp. not sure the difference between the two yet. It will be backed with a Race prepped Turbo 400 and a Ford 9' not sure what gears yet but it will have a Detroit Locker and sport 2 1/2 inch exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers.

Thanks, Ian W.

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[Zoomin]

Cant help you with the Vintage Air, I'd like to hear about that myself.

I put a similar engine in my 69. Here's a heads up on a couple of items:

1) The towers for the engine mounts are different (BB moves engine forward.
2) I used Hedman headers which work fine except for clearing the steering box (had to dimple for clearance), and you may want to consider a smaller starter.
3) If youve got power brakes, you may want to consider valve train mods to avoid using the tall valve covers.
4) Fan shroud is different.
5) Heater core hose locations are different to allow clearance.

Good Luck!

[Zoomin]

One other thing - the transmission cross member is different between a 400 and a 350/powerglide.

[Al]

Wes Vann just finished an article detailing his experience with installing a vintage air kit in his 64 Chevelle wagon. Good reading at: http://www.chevelles.com/techref/tecref19.html

[Steven LS1 Z28]

I am considering a similar swap except I'm thinking about the Gen VI 502. I have read that this kind of swap is can be done but you my have to swap the oil pan, I know that GM offers one for the 502 to Camaro swap so I'm sure they would have one that would work with the 454 swap you are planning. Let us know how it works out.

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Steven S
68 RS/SS
98 Z28 M6, !CAGS, Mobile 1

[Zoomin]

P.S.

Dont forget new springs for the front end, particularly if yours old old - they'll buckle under the heavier weight.
One other thing - since you're changing to a 400 AND a 9" rear end, have a new drive shaft made up with the Chevy yokes on one end and F--- on the other, rather than using combination univeral joints. F--- used many different yokes, so you'll have to measure cup size and spacing. You're probably going to have to shorten your drive shaft anyway. You can have a new one made up for under $200. I used a rear end that had disk brakes on it and wound up relocating the shocks. Not all bad since that freed up some room for tires.


Al, thanks for the tip!