Hot Rods Dolling up your Big Block Chevy for a Traditional build and Hot Rod

So I thinking about swapping a BBC into the 32 So was wondering if any one has some Ideas or info such as Pictures or Parts that would go with a Classy Traditional Build.
thanks

 

it can get SUPER pricey. Man-a-fre intake, Cal Custom Valve covers, Points distributor/ a pretronix, iron heads. Im trying to do the same w/o/ that ridiculous intake.

 

If I were to run a BBC in a 32, I'd probably go with a Cross Ram intake and some period valve covers, etc

 

That BBC should be a 348 or 409 for a traditional build.

The later 396/427/454 engines are just that...later.

 

I figure if you want an old style big block you need some old style accessories. a cross ram would be fun. M/T preferred for the rareness. then you need some early valve covers and you are in.




EDIT: Shakey puddin stole my idea before I typed it!!

 

Print that out^^^^ and tape it to your firewall.

 

Yep, it would be hard to make a mid '60z BBC look traditional enough for this crowd, especially in a Deuce. Find the oldest BBC parts you can..........

 

I've got a nice BBC 6x2 Edelbrock cross ram that would get the job done. It's even drilled for the 3-bolt carbs! Would make a BBC look at least a little older.

Max

 

Round top finned CAL CUSTOMS, or the like, would probably be the oldest look you could get for the BBC.

 

Brigrat You have the same Valvecovers i have! i think they look "period" enough on my 55' pickup but to most hambers thats about new as a Camaro or something hahaha i think the duller and more aged look to the motor seems to work,or im to lazy to clean it.....

 

you know what? Traditional or not, you will have a poop ton of money in a 409 that will keep up with a mild Big Block. If you really want to go fast drop the bbc in....how about an offy tunnel ram w/ dual quads?

 

How much later? I worked in a filling station the summer I graduated high school,'66, and there was a guy in all the time with a rat in a '55. I have no clue what size. 427? 396?
I would think mid '60's is getting back there.

 

Yeah right, that intake is ridiculous....my BBC runs soooooo much better with it it made that Holley I took off look like the door stop it is! It has NEVER been this responsive....ever! I have a little bit more in it ($200-$300) than if I bought a new single 4bbl and intake.

"Cheap parts are never good and good parts are never cheap"

On my BBC I have the Cal Custom valve covers, the MAF intake with the Cal Custom air cleaners, and a Taylor Vertex Magneto looking HEI distributor <-- that is a pricey****** (with my custom curve kit).

Marty McFly

 

Gawd all mighty!!! How much is one of those manifolds going to cost me, if I ever find one!!??!! You'd NEVER get one of those around DFW for that money!! Are those 2CGs? Did you make your own linkage?
Man,I have got to have one of those!.......Seriously, what I'd really like for the greaseslapper is a three deuce, but I've given up finding one. I'll worry 'bout that after I get it on the road.

 

Bought it off EGAY for $600, Carbs are 2GC which were $5-$10 swap meet finds, air cleaners $25 each, fuel log and linkage was stainless bought from local metal supply, rod ends are EELCO bought from a distributor not directly from Marty at EELCO (I didn't want to get screwed by him).

The only 3 duece intake for BBC is the Corvette Tripower, there are NO aftermarkets intakes ever. Those Corvette intakes are AT LEAST $1000 with out the Holley 2 barrels carbs that fit them, you don't even want to price a complete set-up!


Marty McFly

This where I started:

 

factory chrome covers look good....i think they look better than finned aluminum stuff... if you can find a 4x2 that would be cool, but a dual quad intake would contribute to the look too.

mcfly, motor looks good.

 

i think the stock stuff would look great, cleaned up and detailed. you'll need a pre-68 bolt-on oil filter and the short water pump set up, just make it look like somebody purloined a 'new' 396 out of a '65 'vette...

 

yea seeing all the Deuces on that Big block made me jealous like a Some-bitch!! so it is really more responsive huh? thats a nice thing to know..

 

these are ebay after markets like 100 bucks they work well and dont leak ..they are for my 57 but i had to rob them to run the drag car last summer ...

 

Make no mistake about it, the MAF intake is amazing, but it is like trying to find a unicorn. Find one that is in good shape...... you got very lucky and I envy you and your induction. Maybe Ill see you at the track someday.

 

The 427 that's going in my '32 5w will have the first set of Offenhauser finned valve covers ever sold for a BBC (pre production), aluminum open chamber heads, a high rise ('67 only) rectangular port Corvette tri-power w/3 500 cfm (very limited aftermarket by Holley) carbs, a finned aluminum air cleaner made by combining two O'Brian trucker air cleaners to make up the extra needed length, an aluminum water pump (origonal L-88 issue), an L-88 Corvette tach drive distributer converted to electronic function, and a made by me set of megaphone headers that when capped off will be directed to a set of Corvette off road side pipes exhaust tucked up under the chassis.
I've got a seperate bank account already started to pay the excessive noise/speeding tickets that are sure to follow.

Frank

 

I agree; even if someone got a 396 out of a new wrecked car in '65, would there have been any aftermarket stuff available?

 

yep, think mid to late sixties- early seventies

still cool and tons of fun
but you'll never make it look any older than that

 

I once had a NOS Corvette trypower complete, never had gas in her. Had to have it for my '34 Ford coupe but once it was installed it didn't fill up the engine bay enough for my liking, sat to low. Sold it for $1200, air cleaner and all, ouch!

 

Well, you can forget a tri-power set up unless you win the Lotto, or use one of Charlie Price's adapters. The Corvette collectors have driven up the price on big block tri-power manifolds to unbelievable prices.

 

there are brand new (67 coded)****emblies available, but they aren't too different from a blower setup, price-wise. you don't need any of that for a light rod, though. that rat motor will shred tires without breaking a sweat. do it!

 

Here is an old 502 I ran.

 

THAT 502 is SWEET!!! im starting to love this thread to much...more PICS!!

 

Old geezer here.......348/409's were NEVER considered big blocks, they were called "w" motors, I don't know when or why people started calling them big blocks. Now to answer the original question, just look to any of the big blocks (396/454/502's) done by Bobby Alloway out of Tennesee, his aesthetic is to be admired and copied. If you follow his lead, you will damn sure have a fine looking BB!

 

The 396 came out in 1965 in the Corvette and the
Z16 Chevelle(201 built).
The 427 came out in 1966 for the Corvette.