72 K10 350, Engine hugging firewall? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Vanhalen1985 · 01-03-2014, 11:49 AM

I've been in the process of replacing a leaking header gasket on my 72' K10 and I'm rather not happy. What was GM thinking put the small block against the firewall? I can barely slide a sheet a paper between the distributor cap and firewall, let alone get to the rear header bolts. Would I be better off taking the starter off and working from underneath? Anyone else complain of this problem or has my truck just put me in a bad mood?

Only other option I can think of is to take out the heater box for more room but geez I really don't want to do that. It would be a piece of cake on a 2wheel drive.

IwantaK5 · 01-03-2014, 11:57 AM

You can swap in a 700r4 real quick. That will give you 3 more inches away from the firewall.

Vanhalen1985 · 01-03-2014, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IwantaK5

You can swap in a 700r4 real quick. That will give you 3 more inches away from the firewall.

Changing transmisions wouldn't change the location of my motor mounts.

IwantaK5 · 01-04-2014, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanhalen1985

Changing transmisions wouldn't change the location of my motor mounts.

700r4 is longer than the th350. The crossmember the motor mounts to has to be moved 3- 31/2 inches forward unless you get custom drive shafts made.

Chevy1TonFun · 01-03-2014, 03:09 PM

Every 1st gen truck I've worked on has had different spacing between the motor and firewall. I moved my engine crossmember forward 2 1/2" to fit my BBC.

Mike C · 01-05-2014, 02:10 PM

Yup. Either move the T-case back and get custom shafts or move motor foreward.

GM pushed the motor back in order to create clearance for the differential housing and to keep a reasonable length on the front driveshaft. One reason I am a proponent of small cap HEI ignition setup so you don't have to hammer the crap out of the firewall.

burnin oil · 01-05-2014, 05:26 PM

Its tight but not that tight. I have a feeling that your cab mounts are toast and letting it all lean forward making a tight spot even more cramped. My stock Cap HEI fits with a little clerance. I can put a shorty wrench on the rear header bolt from the top also. The best thing I have done is buy header studs for the outer bolts. Holds everything in place and lets you put a socket on that sucker. Only downside is my headers are to close to the frame to install the header over the studs.

01-03-2014, 11:49 AM	#1
Vanhalen1985 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Tucson Posts: 53	72 K10 350, Engine hugging firewall? I've been in the process of replacing a leaking header gasket on my 72' K10 and I'm rather not happy. What was GM thinking put the small block against the firewall? I can barely slide a sheet a paper between the distributor cap and firewall, let alone get to the rear header bolts. Would I be better off taking the starter off and working from underneath? Anyone else complain of this problem or has my truck just put me in a bad mood? Only other option I can think of is to take out the heater box for more room but geez I really don't want to do that. It would be a piece of cake on a 2wheel drive.

01-03-2014, 11:57 AM	#2
IwantaK5 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Palm Beach Florida Posts: 80	Re: 72 K10 350, Engine hugging firewall? You can swap in a 700r4 real quick. That will give you 3 more inches away from the firewall.

01-03-2014, 03:09 PM	#5
Chevy1TonFun Grease Monkey Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fresno CA Posts: 750	Re: 72 K10 350, Engine hugging firewall? Every 1st gen truck I've worked on has had different spacing between the motor and firewall. I moved my engine crossmember forward 2 1/2" to fit my BBC. __________________ Tow Rig: 2012 Chevy 2500HD CCSB LTZ Z71 4x4 Duramax Ultimate Offroad Build: 1978 Chevy Silverado K30 Crewcab Build Link http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=654053 Mud Truck: 1972 Chevy Cheyenne K30 4x4, 468/400/205, D60/D70HD, 18" Custom Lift, 17x39" IROKs FOR SALE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/c...ton-4x4&cat=12

01-05-2014, 02:10 PM	#6
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,709	Re: 72 K10 350, Engine hugging firewall? Yup. Either move the T-case back and get custom shafts or move motor foreward. GM pushed the motor back in order to create clearance for the differential housing and to keep a reasonable length on the front driveshaft. One reason I am a proponent of small cap HEI ignition setup so you don't have to hammer the crap out of the firewall. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

01-05-2014, 05:26 PM	#7
burnin oil Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Eastern TN Posts: 1,919	Re: 72 K10 350, Engine hugging firewall? Its tight but not that tight. I have a feeling that your cab mounts are toast and letting it all lean forward making a tight spot even more cramped. My stock Cap HEI fits with a little clerance. I can put a shorty wrench on the rear header bolt from the top also. The best thing I have done is buy header studs for the outer bolts. Holds everything in place and lets you put a socket on that sucker. Only downside is my headers are to close to the frame to install the header over the studs.



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