Hey I have a 396 that I bought on ebay for 2800 that came with everything. When I mean everything I mean everything. It came all the way to nuts and bolts to put it right into the engine bay. Well since 5th gen El Caminos did not have big block in them I was wondering how hard will it be to get one in there and what will I need to add to get one to work properly?
1986 El Camino engine swapping question
- Thread starter Tuggy24g
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Well I never did this myself but read about a guy in the 80's that bolted a L88 aluminum headed 427 into a Monte SS. He bolted it to the sstock 2004r transmission & rear end, sure that didn't last long if he ever beat on it at all. Basically the 396 should drop right in, you need the big block motor mounts, a larger radiator than stock and maybe a larger fuel line. May have clearance problem with the rear valve cover if you still have the AC box. I would recommend adding a TH400 to handle the torque, and probably a new rear end as well, a modified 12 bolt or Buick 8.5 from a GN would be better. You ay need a custom crossmember depending on what transmission you use. Also exhaust will be an issue, either early cast iron or headers will work but you will need to have a fabricated system to make it all fit correctly.
Good luck,
Dave
Good luck,
Dave
Well any engine swap is a lot of work of course, but it's not like putting a 350 in a Vega or something where the mounts and everything have to be fabricated and modified. If you have the original exhaust manifolds and a turbo 400 already on your 396 (you said it had everything lol) you would just have to find the correct transmission crossmember, bolt it in then drop in the 396 (if it already has the big block motor mounts attached) if not buy a pair of big block motor mounts, if I remember correctly the correct holes for these are already in the frame. Drop it in, bolt it in, get a custom exhaust system welded in and you should be ready to go for a little while. Run the stock rear end until it breaks, then look for something stronger. Same with the radiator, you can probably use the stock radiator unless you are overheating then you will need a bigger one. have fun!
Dave
PS you will probably want to get some big block springs in the front end before adding the weight of the big block or you may have problems bottoming out on bumps.
Dave
PS you will probably want to get some big block springs in the front end before adding the weight of the big block or you may have problems bottoming out on bumps.
Well the guy I bought the big block from had a turbo 350 in it. I do not know why, but he did. Anyway it is good to hear I can live with everything I have and can get it step by step. I really do not drive my El Camino much so if it needs something I am glade I can get it here and there. 😀 😀 😀 😀
The small block mounts will bolt the big block in place. However, it will tear the 7.5 rear axle to shreds if the 396 is built as anything other than a low compression truck engine. And if it is, there really is no point to using a big block.
The turbo 350 will work too, and the transmission crossmember from a th200c will be the correct one for the TH350 as long as the tail shaft is the correct size. Not sure exactly which is which but there were 3 different legnth tail housings on the TH350 if I remember correctly.
Also when I said run the stock rear end till it breaks, i meant that as a temporary solution until the money for a better rear end can be installed, not as a permanent item. But an aftermarket rear with 9" ford center section or 12 bolt if you don't want to use the F word with brakes & all ready to bolt in goes for around $2000 complete, so it may not be affordable after buying the engine and all mounting hardware.
Dave
Also when I said run the stock rear end till it breaks, i meant that as a temporary solution until the money for a better rear end can be installed, not as a permanent item. But an aftermarket rear with 9" ford center section or 12 bolt if you don't want to use the F word with brakes & all ready to bolt in goes for around $2000 complete, so it may not be affordable after buying the engine and all mounting hardware.
Dave
I would expect to spend another $2-5k over the cost of the engine by the time you get it right. There are a lot of things that will break you with this swap if you lack proper funds. To give you some perspective, I spent about $6,000 on my mechanicals, and I did the majority of the work in 1996.
Well this is my first time with a engine swap so thanks for all the help.
Well wouldn't I just need a rear end, suspension, motor mounts, and a transmission crossmember?
Well wouldn't I just need a rear end, suspension, motor mounts, and a transmission crossmember?
you will also need exhaust, the original stock exhaust won't work with the big block. You will need either headers for a big block G body, or else cast iron manifolds from any of the big blocks. Also you hopefully don't have emissions in your state or you will have much more problems getting all of the emissions off a late model big block pickup or something.
Dave
Dave
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