I've got a 396 and 400 trans for my 74 camaro. I've already got a trans crossmember,engine frame mounts, and front springs. Will 72 camaro bb radiator hoses fit this combination? What are some good headers that won't rub anything? It looks like I might have issues with my brake booster and AC condensor. Any ideas on how I could keep my factory A/C?

i have a 462 in my 74. the a/c is gonna have to go, at least using stock components. the motor will not even begin to go in with the stock Harrison fiberglass ducting in place. you can either figure out some sort of aftermarket a/c or say screw it and toss it. i tossed it and got a blower motor duct from a non a/c car which stays tucked in very close to the firewall and fits the bbc perfectly. im not a numbers guy, but i thought i read somewhere that bb 2nd gens were never available with a/c from factory. can someone verify this?????

lets see, oh yeah headers, summit makes a great pair for this setup that are very affordable. although they are not coated, they are a great bargain, and fit perfectly. ive had mine for quite a few years. ill post part number and price later.

your brake booster will be fine, even with tall valve covers

i actually use sbc radiator hoses, BUT i dont have a belt driven fan. if you are planning on sticking with a belt driven fan you can either buy the 70 hoses or you can rotate the upper hose counter clockwise and it will work temporarily.

stock rad fits obviously, but mine ran a little hot, so i upgraded to a jegs two row alum rad. 19x31". fits perfect and looks great. $180.00

unless you run a very low rise intake your hood is not going to work, something to be prepared for.

GET SUBFRAME CONNECTORS!!!!!!! i tweaked my body a little bit when i first did this, thankfully i didnt have the money or the knowledge at the time and left the stock torque converter in. i hate to imagine what woulda happened had i been able to really launch it. these can wait if you have the willpower to take it easy until you get them. http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/smile.gif

thats all the big issues i can think of right now. anymore questions, let us know.

[This message has been edited by merlin007 (edited August 15, 2005).]

You can reuse all your small block stuff-frame mounts, front springs, ect, the ac can stay. My 71 pictured below is a factory 396 4 speed with ac, now a 454, has headers and they fit fine with the ac box, no issues or modifications.

My 75 which had a big block, ran 10:13's on slicks,540 rear wheel hp, no frame connectors, no problems with body flex, no tweaking, no cracks.

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My 73 (http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL314/466168/1171704/51225071.jpg)
My 71 (http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL314/466168/1171704/55082053.jpg)
My 71 (http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL914/466168/1171704/101445569.jpg)
parts for sale (http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid3200370)
cars&trucks for sale (http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid1265057)
parts for sale (http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid581024)
parts for sale (http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid7285884)



[This message has been edited by Daniel (edited August 15, 2005).]

Daniel,

How do I get in touch with you to get prices on some of the parts you have for sale?

Thanks,

Jim

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1975 Camaro
1973 Trans Am 455, 4-spd
1971 Firebird

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Daniel:


My 75 which had a big block, ran 10:13's on slicks,540 rear wheel hp, no frame connectors, no problems with body flex, no tweaking, no cracks.

</font>

no way

there's no way

and theres no way you can keep the a/c that is found stock on the 74, no way, hell the pass valve cover on a small block is close fit.

and if you keep the same springs up front you will be doing the wave over every bump in the road

the only pic of yours that i can pull up is of a camino. is that the 71 you are referring to?

No way? Maybe way...

I have an 81 Z28. Not 74. I just swapped over to a 468 from the stock 350. Everything fit, but man was it tight. Maybe you can switch to an 81's fiberglass from a 74? Actually, thinking about it, my 81 a/c fiberglass was broken. I picked up the fiberglass a/c shell off something like a 76 and I had to modify it to fit. But it was real easy to work with. Used a grinder to cut off the offending section, then made a patch from my old broken part. Painted everything black and installed it, works like a charm.

As for the headers, I am running Hooker headers with no problems. Same setup: big block with a th400 behind it. Email me if you have any more questions.

81', thats definetely something for aspiring bbc coversions types to consider, but without modifing the box on the 74, its not fitting. and stock configuration is what i was talking about, i realize that by doing some reshaping and other higher skill level mods, anything can be done. but i was just letting the dude know what he was in for.

but one could assume that by asking how to do this conversion in the first place, he is not quite ready for fiberglass shaping.

and so you dont misread this, im not flaming you http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/smile.gif

I put a 1971 402 out of a chevelle in my 81 coupe. It fit just great but I did have to change the front coil springs, it was just too low to suit me.

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