Hot Rods 1954 Corvette V8 Conversion

This is kind of funny. In the HAMB era this engine swap would have been considered the absolutely correct move, especially since it is a 4" bore 283.

 

I'm sure you are making some great memories with your granddad right now. You can't put a price on that.
Now "get 'er done" so he has the chance to enjoy the wind in his hair.

 

I applaud your grandad. I hope to still be turning wrenches and hotroddin' stuff when I'm north of 80. Hell, at that age I would call it victory if I could still fold and contort my body enough to get down and into an early Corvette!

I think a 4" bore 283 (aka "301"), with dual 4's will keep him smiling for many years to come (and hopefully will be easier for him/you to tune).

While this wouldn't explain the running sooty rich part of your 6 cylinder problem, you might also check to make sure your gas tank and cap is vented properly. If not, that might explain why the car loses power after being run awhile. If this is the problem, it will continue to be an issue after the v8 swap. And, while troubleshooting the 6 is no longer on the table...your carb issues wouldn't be the first to actually turn out to be an ignition related issue (condensors are notoriously bad these days and could cause similar symptoms).

Good luck and keep us posted please.

 

Fun with cars, Go For It!

 

I’m all for it. The OP said his grandpa rebuilt this car from a flood car, so it is quite possible it has a rebuilt/prior salvage or some such title. Even if it still has a clean title history, I’d still be behind the 80 yr old fella recreating a car from his youth. That will do more for him than fiddling with the 6 and getting frustrated with that. Go for it grandpa, and I wish you success!

 

First, check for a plugged exhaust by disconnecting the exhaust at the manifold, then take it for a drive. (warning, will be noisy, but memorable)

Next, install a fuel pressure gauge, then take it for a drive. (warning, you may have to remove the hood to watch gauge)

Check the ignition by setting up a spare spark plug with a grounding strap, when the engine stalls, plug the sparkplug into one of the sparkplug wires, ground the strap to the frame, crank engine to test spark.

Once every other possible option is eliminated, contact Carbking.

If you haven't already, have you contacted any of the Corvette web sites to ask for their wisdom and guidance? If anyone has experience tuning those carbs it would be them.

 

Great thread, would love more pics. Bad carbs? Screw it, let’s go V8
Good luck on the build.

 

Welcome to the HAMB -- Bring on the HOT RODDING of a '54 Corvette!

 

Having your grandpa's full backstory and his current wishes and reasons, we do understand why the engine swap.
But that photo of the intake and carbs on the straight 6 in post #55 knocks my socks off every time I look at it. Be careful with anything you remove. I hope you don't notch the chassis or circumcise the exhaust pipe(s). Don't break any studs or hack off any wiring connectors. etc., in case there's a new plan for all to go back together someday. Mark and store any loose parts like the treasure that they actually are. Maybe buy a carb rebuild kit from carbking right away just to keep with the stash of removed pieces.

 

Once you get the engine wrapped up. You should convince him to change out the whees and adjust the suspension a little as well.

 

Thanks for all the fine comments and suggestions. I should explain that although we readjusted the carburetors on the 6 it made no difference. Although on its last drive the engine developed a rod knock. So we shut it down to prevent any more damage from occurring. This was probably due to the fact that the was in a flood and the engine was not rebuilt afterwards. With the amount of mud found in the rest of the car it is very possible there was some in the engine causing oil starvation. And yes he did change the oil and check the engine, at least in the top end after the flood. Thus is the reason for the swap and to help satisfy grandpa’s need for speed. The car will otherwise remain stock accept maybe some dodge lancer hubcaps like the ones he had on his corvette in high school.
Thanks,
TR

 

Damn that is sexy!

 

@Trent R. Good for you and your family!! Get that Bad Larry running and enjoy the crap out of it!! Build it the way you want with what you have on hand.

 

Go Grandpa Go !!!

 

This thread makes me happy!

 

I’ll bet the muffler has mud packed in it and is nice and hard now. Won’t be using that now with the new duals going on it!

 

I suddenly want a corvette. Good luck with the swap - I think it will be more fun after, or at least maybe it will work.

 

Thanks for all the support,

A quick update on the removal of the 6 cylinder. Removed the intake and exhaust manifold with much fighting along the way. Also removed the head which showed signs of the engine running extremely rich, which they also did when they were new. Engine should be out soon.
More updates to come,
TR

 

Different experiences have different results... In equal vehicles, a stock 283 will just walk away from a stock 261 the second after the start..

 

And ditch the plastic fuel filter.

 

In Canada, 1955 to 1962 Pontiacs came stock with Chev 261 engines, and the cars were basically Chevs in Pontiac trim. Everything else being equal, the 261 could get the jump on a stock 265 or 283 off the line and up to about 30MPH then the V8 would pull ahead and leave the six behind.

 

327, 4 speed, slicks

Let the next restorer, restore it.

 

Thanks for the continued support! Only a little progress today hood off, and water pump removed. Radiator is soon to follow then hopefully engine out. Received word that the 283 is almost done at the machine shop. It took a bit longer than expected due to the piston heads which were a bit difficult to find. Who would’ve thought pistons for a 4 inch bore 283 would be hard to find! More updates to come

Thanks,
TR

 

After much fiddling the original 6 is out of the corvette for the last time. Still waiting on the 283 but it is now ready for when it arrives. More progress to come.

Thanks,
TR

 

I thought this place was for everything hot rodding, and not for 100 point restorations. Just sayin.

 

AH did you notice he is going to install a 283 in place of the original 6?

 

I'm not asking you please, I'm telling you: If you value your car get rid of that clear plastic fuel filter and replace it with a steel one. Apparently the fuel we have these days is formulated with chemicals that causes the plastic used for the body of those filters to turn brittle and crack, which usually results in the vehicle burning to the ground. Best of luck with your project.

 

@Trent R. There is no cooler vette than a modified vette
I say this as the owner of a very modified 57

 

The glass bowl AC style filters are relatively cheap and available at most good suppliers. The are cleanable and you can see in them. I agree with junkman on this issue and they do look nice. I would only use a metal inline one if that’s your preference.