Installing a Chevy 350

[83301cruiser]

Hello pigs!
I’ve been working on plugging the 350 in the ol girl this week. I’ve got an extra bare 350 block I’m using for fit. I’ve got the marks adapter kit, which seemed like it was going to make everything simple!
Some problems I’m having:
1) the kit only came with one bell housing mount and I don’t have the originals. Should I make one? Will one be fine?
2) the motor is seeming to sit really close the driver side. The steering box is also very very close and I don’t see the complete motor fitting very well.

I haven’t tacked in the new motor mounts yet, I haven’t felt confident with placement yet. This is my first swap/engine build/ land cruiser. I want to make sure everything is done properly so I don’t have to do it again!

thanks for any help

chris

 

[Big Sexy]

I can't offer too much help as mine came with the 350 conversion already. I did not note any fit issues as these SBC conversions are near factory installs... There are always issues when we stray away from original but again, the SBC seems to be the easiest.

There is a whole industry built around the SBC conversions as well as the FJ40/55 SBC conversions. Other Mud members have been there before you do no worries...

Once you punch through the various things that slow you down, I suspect you will be quite satisfied with the 350 - power and torque to spare and sounds terrific. Good luck and enjoy the work.

 

[scrapdaddy]

You want the motor as far as it will go towards the pass. side for the p/s pump fitment as Lil' John said, but make sure you have room for the a/c compressor on the pass. side. Also pick out your exhaust manifolds/headers before welding in your mounts. Block huggers work well, but some manifolds dump right out on the frame, no good.

I don't know much about the Mark's adapter and how it mounts, sorry.

 

[83301cruiser]

Thanks for all your help guys!

I’ll get the motor as close to the passenger side as possible. I enjoy the process, so I’m just going to keep moving and tackle the issues as they come. It seems that I’m on the right track and I’ve got a full day of daylight to work with today.
Thanks,

Chris

 

[J Mack]

I’ll get the motor as close to the passenger side as possible. I enjoy the process, so I’m just going to keep moving and tackle the issues as they come. It seems that I’m on the right track and I’ve got a full day of daylight to work with today.

Sorry I'm no help with your engine mounts but I believe you're going to need to start a build thread and post lots of pictures very soon.....

 

[bobm]

Yes it's a must. No pics didn't happen

 

[83301cruiser]

I’ll get some pictures coming tomorrow!

 

[riderjgs]

Couple of things from experience...
You'll see many SBC conversions that retain the stock Toyota 4spd with either cut up heaters or interesting cuts or bends in the shifter. Avoid all that and also gain yourself some wiggle room by replacing the stock shifter and top plate with those from a FJ60. They'll bolt right on with the shifter then located about three inches back toward the seat.
In my experience, there's no need to get exotic on radiators and cooling. I've run for years, with two different era SBCs now, using a re-cored stock radiator without a shroud. Never overheated either at constant highway speeds, around town or on the trail other than one time due to a weak cap. Using a short water pump also gains you about three inches of wiggle room for engine placement. I've used both high volume and regular water pumps and had no heat problems with either.
There are lots of well done exotic conversions, diesel and gas, and there are those who appreciate the originality of an F series engine and who have creatively (and expensively) massaged more performance out of them. But its hard to beat the combination of weight savings, power increase, usually a mileage boost and parts availablity and affordability of the most popular conversion, the SBC swap.

 

[83301cruiser]

Looks like it’s been over year since I’ve been on here, but I’m back!

I own a bicycle shop here in town and it’s been a crazy year. We decided to close for the month of January, mostly so I could get my cruiser going!

This was once someone’s project about 40 years ago, so I come across all sorts of exciting things. Here’s where I’m at so far:

Bell housing mounts are in, adapter is bolted to bellhousing. Clutch slave cylinder has been rebuilt, master cylinder cleaned, throw out bearing adjusted per the instructions. Motor face to clutch fingers (81 or 82mm) measurement -8mm for throw out bearing adapter engine face. I put a block in to get mounts lined up and tacked in and it appears to be pointing towards driver side. All I can think is that the passenger bellhousing mount is preventing the whole assembly from going towards the passenger side.

Anyone out there have any input? Or suggestions?

 

[83301cruiser]

Engine bay is getting cleaned, organized and repainted as soon as I get this whole motor thing sorted out

 

[Megadoomer]

Your pass mount looks really long. IIRC my sbc was pretty much in the center of the bay. The SBC swap was before my time but they did not use the transmission mounts.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I'm not sure about those bellhousing mounts, either. I didn't use those in my FJ40. Front mounts and a batwing or some other type transmission mount. If you got rid of the bellhousing mount, couldn't the motor be positioned correctly in the bay? You want to get the motor as high as you can, also. With only a short block you won't know where to set the mounts. I'd think about using the whole motor, etc. to get the whole picture of where things will be, then weld them in. Where it's setting now, I don't believe you'll come close to bolting on the power steering pump without hitting the steering box.

 

[nvrlose54]

When I done my swap I bolted the motor mounts and frame mounts to the fully assembled block and sit the motor were I wanted it to sit then tacked my new frame mounts in place.

 

[83301cruiser]

Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[83301cruiser]

When I done my swap I bolted the motor mounts and frame mounts to the fully assembled block and sit the motor were I wanted it to sit then tacked my new frame mounts in place. View attachment 2551327that will probably be what I have to do. Did you use the original bell housing bushings for that?

 

[83301cruiser]

I’m using the Mark’s adapter and I had assumed the bellhousing would mount into the existing frame mounts.
I think I’ll go the route of removing the frame mounts, putting th complete motor in getting it where it needs to be and tacking all mounts into place.
I appreciate the help!

 

[scrapdaddy]

Nvrlose54,

Do you have any up close pictures of your motor mounts, so he can get an idea what they should look like installed.

 

[sneaky]

Since Marks is an Australian company, has the kit you are using been designed for a RHD 55? Might account for why the mounts want to move things over to what is your driver side.

 

[83301cruiser]

Man, that makes all sense in the world, sneaky.
I’m going with nvrlose54’s advice. It will be the most straight forward. I removed the bellhousing mounts from the frame this afternoon. I’m going to weld them to plates so that I can get them put on the frame nice and clean. Welder is out of gas, so she’s parked until tomorrow!

 

[RUSH55]

Get the engine situated where you want it, cribbing, jacks, hoist, whatever, then fab the mounts to hold it in that position.