installing a big block in a 49 suburban

Does any one know if a big block 396 with a 700r4 will fit under the hood of a 47-54 chevy truck without recessing the firewall?

 

According to Petersen's Complete Book of Engine Swapping No. 4 (page 132, copyright 1975), the main point of conflict is the steering box.

 

It will require firewall and or radiator mods plus the said steering box which should be trashed anyway. JMO

 

I'm not concerned about the steering box-the truck has a fat man mustang II front suspension, but some people say that you have to recess the firewall 3" others you don't. How much longer is a big block than a small block?
Thanks

 

Depends on what water pump you run as to what the diff is also. No matter what you will be re-inventing the radiator area or the fire wall. My experiance on those rigs is that you will end up with less work redoing the firewall. All your sheet metal is aliened off your radiator core support, leaving that alone is best so hood, fenders, grill, etc. will line up later. I also hear stoy's of BB Chevy's in a truck like yours BUT have never seen it done without the mods. I have done many SB Chevy's in them and it get's tight with the little mouse, long water pump & and an HEI.........

 

no need to recess the firewall. Much easier to move the radiator forward in the support frame. BBC's fit much better than you think.

 

I doubt that a BBC is longer than a 250 six. I fit my six in by moving the radiator forward in the stock support. Have a radiator shop weld in a 90 degree filler neck. Simple.

 

As others have said, steering is the problem, not the firewall.

 

I need that book!

 

Thanks everybody for the info-I am going to try the moving the rad ahead in the stock support

 

Here's a chart with the differences in length,height and width http://www.carnut.com/specs/fengdim.html