Engiine swap

[Grover 1]

I have a 1978 1/2 ton short wide pick up.  It currently has a Goodwrench 350 and a turbo 350 transmission.  I have a chance to pick up a period correct 454 and a 400 trans than are currently in a 78 pickup.  The 454 was rebuilt about 60,000 miles ago and the 400 about 20,000 miles ago.  I can get the whole truck for $1200.00.  Is there a lot of other expense in swapping to a big block?  I figured motor mounts, exhaust,  perhaps a change in drive shaft length and maybe front springs would be about it.  My 78 is a Big 10 so it already has the large radiator in it.  Am I missing anything else of real importance? - thanks, Grover

[zieg85]

If you have the whole truck it should be a piece of cake.  Don't expect to get better gas mileage though...

[Mr. Lee K30]

Motor mounts yes, there is a difference between the small-block and big-block mounts.  Not too expensive though


As long as the 454 donar truck is a true factory 454 rig everything should swap alright.  Working on the same swap in my '77 Crew Cab minus the tranny part

[dumbucket1]

Motor mounts do interchange between the two motors  I have done it a couple times

[joesgarage71]

Motor mounts do interchange between the two motors  I have done it a couple times

I never had a problem

You need the gas pedal, kick down wiring and switch, fuel lines. get the whole truck! sell what you don't use

[Texcuda]

Motor mounts do interchange between the two motors  I have done it a couple times

I never had a problem

You need the gas pedal, kick down wiring and switch, fuel lines. get the whole truck! sell what you don't use

The gas pedal? Is there a difference in cable length? I'm swapping my 82 to a BBC. Thx

[78 Chevyrado]

You need the gas pedal stuff to use the TH400.  a TH350 uses a kickdown cable, but the TH400 does not.  there's a switch mounted to the gas pedal bracket that controls downshifts alongside the vaccum modulator.

[Texcuda]

ooh nevermind, the kick down switch is not required for t400 is your using a full manual valvebody, I thought you talking about a different pedal assembly for a sbc to bbc swap.