Big block, 4 speed linkage

Afternoon,

Im planning on putting a big block in my 79 Malibu. I want to keep the 4 speed linkage, without going to a hydraulic throw out bearing. My question... Will the block mounted pivot ball work with the big block?

I am also thinking that headers won't work (which I'm ok with) with the 4 speed (stock) linkage. Any advice there would be appreciated too.

Thanks

GuysMonteSS said:

I use "A" Body # 2455 Hooker 2 inch headers on mine,the lower right control arm bracket needed "surgery" ,and the clutch "Z" bar wouldnt clear one tube,so I cut the Z bar in two and re-arranged it until it fit and welded it back together.If you use heads with a raised exhaust port expect to do more denting,bending,etc..
I have a blog on this,but thanks to Photobucket,the pictures are no longer there.
Also expect to have issues with access to at least one or more spark plugs.
If your power levels arent going to be sky high,smaller tube pipes will likely fit better.
Guy

Click to expand...

Thanks guys!

Exactly what I wanted to learn! I have “surgery” capability!

I’m just putting a cam in an otherwise stock 454...so I’m not sure if headers are going to be worth the money/headache...plus I’m going for a stock look, as if GM built a big block Malibu. My car is plain Jane!! Not a single option, so I’m going for that old school, heater delete biscane 409 kinda look. Like somebody would have ordered like this with a 4 speed! I’m even thinking of keeping it a single exhaust (3” though)...because that’s what GM would have done. The existing wheels are temporary, while I have a set of the original 14” square slot rally’s made into 15”. No beauty rings, and i have original F41 (police) dog dish Center caps!!

Car is not restored and only has 50,000 original miles. But...a funny (ugly) combination, of carmine (red) interior and dark carmine (burgundy) exterior. Like they looked at the name, and not the colour chip, when ordering. It’s ugly, but makes it kinda of strange, thus cool! Lol