Hello brethen. Lately been thinking hard of a y block. Do you think a y block and 3 speed will keep this big beast in motion? Do love the sound of a y block and dont care about breaking a speed record nor getting 40mmg.. Let me know what you think!
Do it. Y-blocks rule. That said, I wouldn't plan on it doing much more duty than a 1/2 ton without a serious truck transmission or rear end.
Sure, the Y block will move it, but you might need to gear it right. Also, speed equipment might be limited and pricey for the Y. Dare to be different is cool. Have you considered an older big inch olds, caddy, or Pontiac?
Hey thanks. I just hate the zero respect u get once u ue an sbc,its like people try to avoid my build like the plague once i tell them what I'm running. I do love the sound of straight sixes and my original plan was to use a 302 GMC. Well I asked around for a rebuild on a Y block and it goes from 3500 and up once u start going crazywith speed parts. Today I Bit the bullet with a running GMC 270 Inline six and Im gonna plan ahead to run it.. I'm thinking 4 speed,hydraulic clutch and split manifolds. I dont need to break speed records,i ain't gonna haul them fat chicks at the bar that seem to shapeshift afyer the 10th shot,i just want it to move on its own for at least a mile and back with out self destroying,i would feel like i conquered the world.. I could've bought a radiator,and the 700r4 tv and kick down cable wiring kit,and go forward on my build but cant feel being the leper with my eng/trans combo. Theres still time left (i hope).
I like different engines, I really do. LOVE Y-blocks, flatties, GMC 6's etc. But if you're shying away from a SBC because other people don't like it then you're in this for the wrong reasons. I know the SBC is the belly ****on engine. I've had them and "some" people scoff. I don't give a **** what those people think because they've never built their own car. The alternative engine thing is cool for sure, and a 302 or 270 would be way cool in your truck, but you'll spend more money rebuilding anything than a SBC. Why are they so popular? Because they're easy, they're affordable, they're reasonable to hop up and you can get parts at Walmart or 7-11 if you break down on the road. I know you know all of this, but I also know you're trying to do this on a budget. Do a stock 260 horse SBC and forget about it. No matter how cool the six sounds and looks you'll always wish you had more horsepower. And if you set it up for a stock SBC it's really easy to build a potent engine and swap it out.
Oh, I did see that the 270 is a running engine. Still, if you stick with it you should go through it and do gaskets, bearings, rings and such. Pulling it once the truck is all together for an overhaul is a pain in the ***.
I tend to get a lot of blank-faced stares when I say I'm going to run a Detroit Diesel. (is that like a ***mins) LOL
I completely agree Eric,and trust me,Im not into this to fit in or to be cool,ever since i watched a movie with a Plymouth with big fins and tons of crome I was hooked,I was 7. Now that I'm older,I'm into these cars because just sitting in one takes me back to a place where everything was so simple and people were so friendly,kids weren't glued to their cellphones,spewing "LOL and LAME" every 3 seconds. People could just pull off the road to help a stranded stranger without fear of being sued if something happened to them or getting robbed. I don't care about the rockabilly life or music that much,I dont even have tattoos. Im here cuz I love the style and the lines of these vehicles. I dont really care about what people think about me or my build but when i try to meet rodders close to me so I can build a network of knowledgeable guys to learn from,most stay away because "sbcs are lame"mentality. Anyway,I was just dreaming about A Yblock because there was one on Cl supposedly rebuilt with a 3 auto,for less of the price of a new 700r4. Plus i want to have as many mechanical parts as I can. Im still unsure of the 270 but i like them and i have a use for it. I'm gonna make a list of pros and cons of the 350 vs the 270 and fo from there,in the mean while,i will keep buying the rest of the parts i need to complete.. One thing is sure,i will drive this thing out of the shack real soon.
Cant even compare a detroit diesel with a belly****on. Those things are cool. Search you tube for detroit diesel on 50 gmc
I know you're comfy with your own choices, was just making a point. And holy ****... I thought I was the only one here under 50 without tattoos! Maybe we should start a social group? LMAO!
I'm in on the under 50 ink less group. Send me the invite! I've tried to express my frustrations with the "car cultured" locals to a coworker who's a car guy. He gives me blank stares much like the car cultured guys do... On the topic of part donors, I am more than a bit particular and like a unique or standout or sleepy or sneaky modern but looks old deceit, but I try to find the happiest medium between how it works/looks/sounds/feels with how easy and cheap can I fix it when I wear it out. Hemis, for example, are hella cool but have some unobtainium and gimmeallyermonium in them. I'd rather go with the boring old belly ****on ***mins and spring back from a bad day on a power tour or X country vacation with the fam. Unless I'm just building a fun for me odd rod and have minimal expectations out of it.
I'd never put a Chevy engine in a Ford.... Oh wait.. I'd never put a Chevy engine in a Willys Jeep... Oh wait... Why do I keep glancing over at my wife's 5.0l Mustang and thinking bad thoughts?
This is the engine that started my 20th change of heart on my engine choice.. Thing is,I'm planning to buy a new 700r4 and it cost me 1200 plus the tv cable and downshift kit add 300... So i looked at this y block and sounded like a good deal. -Less wiring. (No more electrical fuel pum0,although i already bought a new one.) -no kickdown cable or rv kit to mess with -ford in a ford. The downside are -the loss of power -higher cost of performance parts -no overdrive (which is a must if I want to drive it daily) On a side note.The gmc 270 parts are twice as much for gofast parts. BUT,I do love the sound and look of them,I have a GMC truck that I have plans for,this truck has a 270 also with a rare big port head so I could mix parts to get that truck running. My father in law has a 1959 GMC fleetside with the 270. Sooooo i could learn the basics of these inliners and I could probably build 2 270s out of these 3. I guess I cant focus on just 1 thing.
Do you have a running engine in it already? I'd say get the thing on the road and have fun with it instead of changing your mind multiple times. Once it is running/driving you can at least enjoy it/move it under its own power. I heard a saying recently that I am trying to take to heart, "Don't let perfect get in the way of progress" If you have a path already laid for a sbc and it is just lacking a trans, then I say do that and get it on the road so you can then put time to the other projects you have. (note this is me talking to myself as well)
I can relate to this, I spent half the winter and spring making some alloy castings for my truck. Very expensive in time spent. At one job I had, we had a saying, "At some point, you have to shoot the engineer and start production"!
Well its like this guys: I'm an ignorant when it comes to engine and transmission building,I have no experience,and dont know anyone that knows so I can get hands on experience. I'm a watch and learn type of guy,and you tube does work but not the same. So,I have to make decisions based on what others had to say. Right now the budget has gotten a little better,and I'm in no hurry to get this driving,although it would be ideal to take it to the viva las vegas show next year. I've been back and forth with the engine choice based on my skill also,I know it will be hard for me to finish plumbing the SBC,and the wiring. If i run the GMC i can just replace the old parts and I know that it wont be as difficult. As of right now I know that I'm going to run a 700r4 for either engine, (unless I come across a cheap 4 speed manual for the GMC,but in return it will mess with my already set pedal positions,add more headaches converting to hydraulic clutch or manual,who said it would be easy?) So I take all this things in consideration and thus changing my mind back and forth. On the sbc I need: a new carb 300 New flex plate 50 Starter. 120 Fuel regulator 60 _____________________________________ 500 Vs the GMC: 12v generator 50? 700r4 adapter. 400+ ________________________________________ 500. Decisions,decisions
Seth, a couple other things to consider..... The physical size of the GMC (or Y block) is much bigger/different than the compact SBC, which will cause more problems. Oil pan sump may be different, motor mounts will need to be changed, etc,etc. I thought putting a six in mine would be simpler, but it wasn't. Seems to me you have most of the hard work done.....I'd continue on with the SBC. Wish I was closer, I'd give you a hand.
Thanks scott.. All this thread did was venting out a little,clearing my mind and finding my way back in the saddle. Im halfway there, just lose my vision from time to time.. Thanks for the re***urance.
I am not following why the sbc will be any different to plumb or wire, with all the tech articles where they are the featured engine, I'd think it would be the easiest engine to ever hook up from scratch for a newbie. I am sure that we can help you get it sorted out as well. I don't really care which way you go, I just think that with popularity of the sbc the parts/pcs are going to be easiest to find and or find someone who will be able to help fix or modify it. Does someone make the adapter for the 270 to the 700r4? If not that could **** up a huge amount of time for you to figure it out and or find someone to help you make one.
I have decided to keep the sbc. I know it will be a challenge because it has a an electric fuel pump, A regulator and HEI. I've mess around with an older sbc,mechanical pump and points distributor with success,but nothing like this...I'm sure i can do it,it just seems complicated. Since this is a vortec and I want to keep the truck as "Stockish" as possible,I bought a pair of center bolt Studebaker valve cover and I will try to hide the electric fuel pump. I'm trying to run a mechanical fan. I want to run a Dodge truck radiator. I will run a th700 and I'm having Bowtie Overdrives hooking their kit and adjusting it so I don't ruin it. I plan to run a either column or dash mounted shifter. So I'm thinking if I throw 20 Benjamins into this build,ill have a bare bones running truck. And yes,they make an adapter to bolt a 350/400/700 to a gmc inline.
Hei distributors are the easiest thing in the worold to hook up.....1 wire......(1 thing Chevy got right!) And if you buy the right electric pump you won't need a regulator for a carburetor, Napa has a 4-7 psi pump, I currently have three machines running them, Napa also carries one wire alternators......hooking up your rodent engine should be easy...hell i'de help you and I don't care for rodent engines!
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