Chevy 366 Big Block swap

[eoseitz]

I was wondering what everybody's views would be on this. I have a 74 stingray L82. However, the previous owner blew the L82 and switched it with a camaro engine. I found a brand new crate engine for sale for $500. It is a stock chevy 366. It sounds like it has around 300 HP and 330 ft/lbs of torque. Would you recommend this swap. I'm not 100% sure, but will I need to change out the tranny to do this? I heard the bell housings won't match up with the turbo 350 I have. Is there anything else I would have to switch?

 

[BigJimZ16]

I was wondering what everybody's views would be on this. I have a 74 stingray L82. However, the previous owner blew the L82 and switched it with a camaro engine. I found a brand new crate engine for sale for $500. It is a stock chevy 366. It sounds like it has around 300 HP and 330 ft/lbs of torque. Would you recommend this swap. I'm not 100% sure, but will I need to change out the tranny to do this? I heard the bell housings won't match up with the turbo 350 I have. Is there anything else I would have to switch?

366??? Are you sure it's not a 355?? To the best of my knowledge, a 366 would be a big block truck engine!! Not at all suitable for a 'vette.

 

[eoseitz]

It was a 366. I was not aware that it was a truck engine though. Why would this be a bad idea for a corvette? It has decent horsepower and torque. The transmission and rear gear ration is what determines speed. Why do you believe it's a bad choice? I'm trying to collect as many pro's and con's as possible.

 

[Toms007]

The 366 is a big block TRUCK engine. They had good power, but they also are not a car big block. The deck height is higher and no aftermarket BB performance parts will work.

Not sure that it will fit under your stock hood.

 

[eoseitz]

thanks for the info. I hadn't thought about the deck height. I just assumed if a 454 would fit under the hood a 366 probably would too.

 

[Rod75]

Pass on it.

 

[targatom]

truck engine in c4

I drove a ten ton truck with a three sixty six in the late sixties. It was a high block engine. I would wager that one of those, stock with a trans that could handle it, would work real well, with a hundred fifty shot, or a blower. Think about it, low compression, works with nitrous or blower, all truck parts, prolly all forged should hold up well but if dollars are all important, a 383 small would be more practical.

 

[TimAT]

Other than a tall deck, a 366 would make a heck of an engine. The cylinder walls are between 1/2 and 3/4 thick so you could bore it way out there. Same basic structure as all of the Mk. IV big blocks, just a 10.2 deck. Everything will fit except the intake and distributor, but they make spacers and longer distributors. The problem putting one in a 'Vette is the fact that with the taller deck, the heads are farther apart. Makes for interesting times with the exhaust. Not impossible- lots of guys have done it. I've seen a 572 in a Vette.

 

[Hib Halverson]

I take the opposite view.

A 366 "crate motor" would make a lousy choice for a performance engine in a Corvette.

First, the tall deck. Standard deck BBC's have enough trouble getting under the hoods of C3s. At tall deck reduces hood clearance by 1/4-1/2-inch. If you don't need the room for a long arm crank, it's not worth the trouble.

The stock pistons in a 366 and 427 truck engines are four ring pistons and pretty heavy. You'll have to convert to conventional three ring pistons and that means a lot of hassle at the balance shop. Plus, you'll need to hone the bores for the new rings.

366 and 427 truck engines are designed for low rpm high torque applications so you may want to take a close look at the heads on the engine. I don't know what those old truck engines used, but unless they are oval port passenger car heads or rectangular port passenger car heads, you'll be looking for a good cylinder head.

Few performance intake manifolds are available for those engines but spacer plates are available which allow you to put intake manifolds for standard deck height blocks on tall decks, but the spacers may need to be ported to match whatever head you use.

You may find that there are so many changes necessary to use that engine in a Corvette street high-performance applications, that you're not saving any money.

 

[targatom]

I am goin with Hib

Since the OP did seem to be interested in economy, and thinking about the four ring pistons having to be replaced, there really cant be much economy in the 366 scenario.

I take the opposite view.

A 366 "crate motor" would make a lousy choice for a performance engine in a Corvette.

First, the tall deck. Standard deck BBC's have enough trouble getting under the hoods of C3s. At tall deck reduces hood clearance by 1/4-1/2-inch. If you don't need the room for a long arm crank, it's not worth the trouble.

The stock pistons in a 366 and 427 truck engines are four ring pistons and pretty heavy. You'll have to convert to conventional three ring pistons and that means a lot of hassle at the balance shop. Plus, you'll need to hone the bores for the new rings.

366 and 427 truck engines are designed for low rpm high torque applications so you may want to take a close look at the heads on the engine. I don't know what those old truck engines used, but unless they are oval port passenger car heads or rectangular port passenger car heads, you'll be looking for a good cylinder head.

Few performance intake manifolds are available for those engines but spacer plates are available which allow you to put intake manifolds for standard deck height blocks on tall decks, but the spacers may need to be ported to match whatever head you use.

You may find that there are so many changes necessary to use that engine in a Corvette street high-performance applications, that you're not saving any money.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

This thread has been dead since Aug 2011. Guess the OP lost interest.