VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions 1966 V8 upgrade

Hello all
I am planning to tow my 1966 Airstream Victoria>LA>New Mexico> National Meet in Grande Junction CO. My 1966 Bel Air has a tired 283V8 with the powerglide, so I got a really good deal on a crate 350V8 from GM.and plan to install it. "I really want to keep the car looking original" but want to up grade the carb to a 4 barrel as well. Which carb should I use and what type fuel pump? I would apprieciate any advice on this matter!!
Regards Anthony in Victoria BC

Bel53 that depends on what 350 you get, early 350s have a mechanical fuel pump and the later 350s don't even have a mechanical pump boss on the engine. Your choice of engine will determine what fuel system you will need, Carb, TBI or TPI. Since you are going with a completely different engine than was offered in 1966, why not go with the best , find either a 1996 Impala, Silverado, Corvette, or a Buick Roadmaster TPI engine fuel system with a fuel pump in the tank and a computer controlled system?

Hello MrMack
Thanks for the reply!
I understand what you are saying regarding upgrading to Fuel Injection etc. but here is the clincher, I want to maintain a completely stock look and don't have a lot of money to spend anyway. It is the older style block so it will take the mechanical fuel pump. I would like it to look like I have the stock 327V8 with a 4barrel when you open the hood. I will be running the 350 for a couple of years and then I plan to slip the 283 back in. That is after I have done a couple of trips with the trailer.
Anthony

It would probably not appear different than an original SBC to an untrained eye and fairly obvious to a trained eye so for casual appearances it would probably pass muster. I would think it is what I would do if I wanted to do a lot of serious towing, and I would also hunt up a 350 turbo or a 400 turbo transmission.

Hello again MrMack
I have also thought about the transmission swap.
Does anyone know which would be compatable(for length)??1/2ton 70's/80's truck, full size car???
Again I want to keep as many original parts in the car as I can. (I know!! fussy fussy)
Thanks Anthony R
Planning a legacy in Victoria!!

I don't know about what you want to do tow or keep the car original, I have doubts about a 66 powerglide, I did have a 65 Pontiac 2 door HT with a hydramatic and a 389 that towed a small travel trailer, but I soon changed to a station wagon. it may be that you will have to do one or the other or compromise.

The turbo 400 was offered in 65 for the 396 engines. From what I remember the short tail 400 should bolt right in, and the linkage parts should be pretty easy to find.
John

any chevy pass car turbo hydro 400 should bolt right in. the TH 400's out of caddys, olds, pontiacs and buicks have a longer tailhousing and would require considerable driveshaft modification.mike

The intake mainfold for the new crate motor you have will depend on the heads on the "new" engine.What year is the engine made for??What all came with the engine??heads etc-manifolds?Does it have a place to mount a mechanical fuel pump?If its a 1987 or newer engine with the newer valve covers and heads the intake and quadrajet from a 1987 Caprice would be fine.

Thanks All!
The engine I got is a brand new one and it is listed as being for 1985 and older. It included heads, timing chain/cover etc. What it is missing is intake, fuel pump, water pump and distributer.

The intake I picked up I was told is a late 60's 4 barrel on to is casted a #8748829 with GM7 underneath.

Yes there is a opening for the mechanical fuel pump.

I did not know there was a TH400 offered that early, I sure would like one of those with the proper linkages, does anyone know the part numbers??

I guess I better get searching heh?

Oh by the way my Airstream will weigh in at about 3200lbs loaded so it isn't a really heavyweight. The car towed quite well with the 283 powerglide until I hit the Mountain passes.

Regards to all!

I think if youm look closley the intake casting number is 3746829 which is for a 1957.

As long as the engine includes the newer heads I would get a 4 barrel set up from a 1977-87 engine--more common on tht 1985-87 engines.

I agree with the Chev Nut, I would look for an intake for a 350. BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING YOU MUST find out what cam is in the engine and what heads are on it before you decide on carb/intake If you look at the bores for the throttle plates on the 57 intake you will see that they are rather small. Most mid range performance small blocks up through 1966 were set up for carbs pulling between 400-450 cfm. An under carburetor engine could be just as frustrating as an overcarbureted one.
I don't think there is no provision for the rear mounted PCV system that was used in 66. So this could deter the look that you are trying to come up with.
John

You Guys are good!!!!
Yes I made a mistake on the numbers, I guess it is a 1957 intake then. It will have to go on the "to go" pile for the many parts I have bought in error.grrrr Oh well another lesson learned. Well while we are on the subject, I found under the bench another intake #646250... probably an old truck one "anyone know?" It at least has the PCV holes.
I think I will have a look for a complete 4barrel set up off a 76-85. "John" Will this work out OK with whatever the motor has for cam/heads the motor is not a HO model. These later model intakes won't have any extra stuff I don't need will they? I will try to find out about the type of cam/heads anyway.
Your help is appreiciated
Anthony

Hello all!

I am still researching my project and have decided to start by trying to find the 4 barrel intake from a 1966/67 Camaro, Chevelle or full size. One that had a 327, I think that would work well. Any tips on cooling, I have a small trans cooler but the rad is completely stock. I guess I should have it recored, maybe 3core??

Thanks
I call the unit Old Fashioned Values

A radiator from a 1966 327 or 396 or a larger core would be a must.

hmmmmm looks like what I should be lookin for is a 65-67 327V8 parts car.

A heavy duty radiator is original on the higher HP sbc engines with A/C. FYI