396 big block

[bob 000 marley]

hey all i have a 1991 caprice and its in mint condish. well i am bidding on a 1967 chevy 396 motor block to rebild and put in my 91 does any one know if this is a fit or if i have to change the motor monts and the tranny monts. by the way the 396 im getting has less then 5000 miles and is .030 over (402)


thanks alot---sean

[bobss396]

Unless you're a total motor head with a lot of experience, I wouldn't try it. You'd be better off with a 9C1 swap. The 396 has no computer hook up, that would have to be played with so the rest of the car would work. Then you may have emissions to consider, the big block wouldn't pass without a lot of expensive work thrown into it to get it up to 1991 standards.

Bob

[bob 000 marley]

first of all its not going to be a everyday car its a hot rod project me and my dad are working on and yes he does have lots of experince, and as far as emitions go forget em this car will be just a street rod, i mean come on a caprice with a 396 big block, sounds like fun to me.

[bobss396]

If you don't have to go with any emissions testing, have fun with it. My concern was that it is a ton of work and would hate to see someone get in the middle of it and lose interest.

I believe that all the Chevy motors mount up the same, you would have to measure eyebolt to eyebolt distances on each set of mounts. If the tranny is a 700R4, it should bolt right up to the 396. You might luck out with the length of the whole assembly and be able to use the existing tranny mount.

Have fun, Bob

[winesy]

I think it sounds COOL, everybody has one with a small block in it. The mounts should be workable, with some adjustment the transmission could work if an aftermarket conversion from computer to tranny is available. If the tanny's computer controlled use a 700 with a TV cable. Headers will be a bitch! Good luck

[CD Smalley]

You mean something like this:

http://www.9c1.findhere.org/

[1968 Pontiac]

Go for it!! But if I was doing it, I'd go no less than 454. Anyway, just take the mounts off the sbc and bolt to the bbc. The tranny will bolt to the bbc, but depending on what kind of HP it has, you may need to beef things up in the tranny. Don't forget you're running big bottom end torque with bbc. On old cars (read: up to 1976) there was an extra set of holes in the frame rails to mount the tranny further back when switching from sbc/th350 to bbc/th400. A good place to start for tranny dimensions is http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/oldsfaq.htm. The site is a wealth of info even if you don't have an Olds. I imagine you'll have to re-wire the ignition to bypass the computer, and install a floor shifter if the column linkage/cable won't work. You can leave the diff as long as you don't get too much traction. If you have sticky tires you may want to modify an old 12 bolt diff to fit you car. Get one from a full size Buick, Pontiac, Olds, or Cadillac up to 1976 so you get the 5 on 5 bolt pattern. Chev had 5 on 4 3/4 bolt pattern up to 70 or 72, can't remember off hand, so they'd be ok after that. Back brakes should be ok as they'll be bigger than what you had. Good luck!!