Do any of you guys know how much work, and modification will be needed to stuff a 454 and a 400 TH in a 1978 Elky. Or will this work????

8) It's been done! I don't think it is that difficult. Repost on engine topic forum and you will get a better response. I know this is a topic that has been covered before. :cool:

IT IS NOT AS BAD AS SOME PEOPLE MAY THINK. DEPENDING ON VALVE COVERS, YOU CANT GET TALL ONES THEY USUALLY HIT THE EVAP HEATER BOX. HEADERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR BIG BLOCKS IN 5TH GEN EL CAMINOS AND THEY CLEAR THE CONTROL ARMS AND STEERING SHAFT. THE DRIVESHAFT NEEDS TO BE CUT OR LENGHEN(CANT REMEMBER) SAME SMALL BLOCK CHEVY MOTOR MOUNTS AND BRACKETS WORK JUST AS WELL. ALSO CONCENTRATE ON COOLING, SUSPENSION AND A STRONG REAR END.

Thanx for the replies. Will follow up with recommendations. :cool:

not a big deal at all


big block mount brackets and headers -or manifolds,



and a few minor things

real easy actually


see ppl doing it in the 77-up caprices and impalas and in 78-up montes and so on, same principle, ideas here, nothing crazy at all,
all complete bolt in swap


if you do this then take before during and after pics, especially of parts used/swapped so you can show others who want ot do the same how its done
since no one else seems to ever want to


i dont know which set of engine mount bolt holes in the frame/cradle are used for big block chevy though


i would assume it would be pretty obvious once you set the engine donw on the cradle with the mounts bolt to the engine instead of to the cradle first



if you could find an old rear hweel drive big block caprice or something ot look at real quick then you could see what bolt holes to use then, or a ral good idea anyways




good luck ! :D