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Here is a video of my new big block in my 57.

4773 Views 25 Replies 18 Participants Last post by  Joes57, 
Joes57
I have to admit the big block swap was a lot easier than I expected. I had read about many nightmare stories and I was worried. In my opinion I think it is easier to leave the engine in the stock location and not move it forward. I can see that causing many issues.

I would like to thank everyone that helped me along, answered my questions, and submitted pictures. It would have been alot more work and trouble without you.

Thanks again,

Joe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu-qni33C3g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TsJ9GhLLfk
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anderssonbros
Hi Joe,
Congrats to the nice job :congrats: Looking good!
How is the clearance between the firewall and the distributor in your set up?
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carls 56
very cool vids joe, thanks. :party0031:
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555657jim
Sweet.

Looks good, sounds even better! Wish I had one.:tu JIM.
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Kiwi56
Awesome Joe,
You have to be proud of that....great car all round :)
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petes83usa
Looks and sounds awesome.......:party0031:
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dnsdoor
purring like a kitten beautiful joe i like the way she idles
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Donnie
sweet!
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Z
Joes57 said:
I have to admit the big block swap was a lot easier than I expected. I had read about many nightmare stories and I was worried. In my opinion I think it is easier to leave the engine in the stock location and not move it forward. I can see that causing many issues.

Thanks again,

Joe

Looking good Joe! You make some good obervations too. It is easy when you go with the stock location. Very easy. All the nightmare stories are usually self imposed by making a change which cascades into other problems. The root generally being to install one of those obsolete large diameter 70's GM HEI units. There are plenty of modern small HEI units out there and it is a better place to spend some bucks rather than spending it on making things fit. There are reasons from moving the engine and if necessary great. But it shouldn't be a "blind" rule of thumb that the engine needs to be moved forward.
Click to expand...
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NickP
Nice work!
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1957chevy
Very cool, Joe. Are you going to be in Somerset at the end of October?
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Joes57
Thanks for all of the replies and kind words everyone!

I've had both a points and HEI distributor in my big block. The points distributor has plenty of room. The HEI does fit, but rubs if you try to advance it all the way. I put the HEI back in tonight and I'll probably leave it.

Mike, I had thought about going to Somerset in October. I heard it is 55-57 Chevy month.
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1957chevy
Joe...let me know about Somerset, we're trying to get together for a burger one of the days.
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Ratpackin
Car looks and sounds fantastic! Nice work :tu
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Joes57
Thanks Ratpackin, I appreciate it.

Mike I'll let you know about Somerset. As of now I may not be able to go. My wife reminded me of something that what going on that I had forgot about.

Thanks again,

Joe
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Pops @ Tri-5.com
Lookin' good Joe:D:congrats:.....If you didn't move it forward, did you have to dimple the firewall? :confused0006:
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Joes57
I had to do quite a bit of dimpling. The good thing is, it's covered up by the heads and can't be seen. I dropped my HEI back in last week, I'm surprised it fit!

Thanks for your time,
Joe
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Mikes56
Sounds really cool!! :tu Good to know about the mounts. Might drop a simple 454 in one day. When i installed a sb. I dimpled my fire wall to install a large cap HEI. A quick skim with filler to smooth it out. Its behind the distributor cant see it anyways. I like to keep it simple having the coil in the cap does just that. After working on a modified EFI car for years. It refreshing to have a carb again. And no sensors.:party0031: No EFI in this one.

Enjoyed the videos thanks.
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BigDaddyRat
Update your Signature...

Joes57 said:
I have to admit the big block swap was a lot easier than I expected. Joe
Click to expand...
Hey Joe, now that you got that BB in there, you need to update your Signature with the updated info :happy0030: :tu later, BDR :cool:
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Joes57
Thanks again everyone for the replies.

BigDaddyRat, I'm all over changing my signature!
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