Need help with bbc manifolds and clutch linkage - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevytrucking · 08-18-2010, 05:47 PM

I've got 69 chevy 1-ton roll back car hauler that's had a 383 and 4spd in it for a long time, but it's just not enough motor. I pulled it out, dropped in a 454 out of a 85 GMC truck. I've got everything converted over, just about ready to fire it up, but I can't figure out what to use for exhaust manifolds.

I've got the z bar type mechanical linkage that sits right below the back exhaust port. I've got two different sets of manifolds and they won't fit. I bought a set of Summit block hugger headers, they don't fit.

This isn't a high rpm application, it's strictly low rpm towing torque I'm after, so cast iron manifolds are just fine. What did these trucks use when they were new? Nobody I've asked seems to know. Google image searches don't produce anything.

Help!

**70cst** · 08-18-2010, 06:15 PM

Bump for you...

chevytrucking · 08-19-2010, 08:52 PM

All right, I'm not up on all the social networking lingo, so what does that mean? Bump?

**breeh** · 08-20-2010, 01:29 AM

I am guessing that you need the block side pivot ball relocating bracket. That can be tough to find.

Shyguy · 08-20-2010, 09:59 AM

"Bump" means take to the top of the posts to keep the thread going as does "ttt".

I sure wish I could help you on the header information. When we put a 454 in my '71 we used a set of hooker headers that we picked up at a swap meet. The guy did not know what they were for other than they would work with a 454 with a manual transmission.

The problem we ran into in order to use the headers we had to also use the motor mounts and towers from the '73 C-20 we got the motor from.

cdowns · 08-20-2010, 12:04 PM

maybe post pics of the castiron ones u have that wont work???

chevytrucking · 01-20-2012, 06:08 PM

I thought I should probably update this post with what I ended up doing. I kind of forgot about it actually, but just in case someone finds this on a search...

The problem ended up being that the motor was setting too deep in the frame. I didn't realize that you can't just set a big block right in place of a small block and everything go back. I ended up taking the frame stands out of the 85 donor truck, redrilled a couple holes in the crossmember, and used the 85 motor mounts. This gave me way more clearance for manifolds/headers.

When I started all this, I was going to use the 4 speed tranny that was in the truck, but after I pulled the 454 out to change my motor mounts, I went back with a 5sp NV4500 which used a hydraulic clutch. I used the 5 speed factory bellhousing and mounted a master cylinder on the firewall. I modified the '85 tranny crossmember to work in the '69 and had to redrill all the holes in the frame. Of course then, new driveshaft, new pto, new carrier bearing, new pto drive shaft, etc. Snowball....

So, all of the above, eliminated my original question about the mechanical clutch linkage.

08-18-2010, 05:47 PM	#1
chevytrucking Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cedarville, AR Posts: 15	Need help with bbc manifolds and clutch linkage I've got 69 chevy 1-ton roll back car hauler that's had a 383 and 4spd in it for a long time, but it's just not enough motor. I pulled it out, dropped in a 454 out of a 85 GMC truck. I've got everything converted over, just about ready to fire it up, but I can't figure out what to use for exhaust manifolds. I've got the z bar type mechanical linkage that sits right below the back exhaust port. I've got two different sets of manifolds and they won't fit. I bought a set of Summit block hugger headers, they don't fit. This isn't a high rpm application, it's strictly low rpm towing torque I'm after, so cast iron manifolds are just fine. What did these trucks use when they were new? Nobody I've asked seems to know. Google image searches don't produce anything. Help!

08-18-2010, 06:15 PM	#2
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,339	Re: Need help with bbc manifolds and clutch linkage Bump for you... __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

08-19-2010, 08:52 PM	#3
chevytrucking Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cedarville, AR Posts: 15	Re: Need help with bbc manifolds and clutch linkage All right, I'm not up on all the social networking lingo, so what does that mean? Bump?

08-20-2010, 01:29 AM	#4
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	Re: Need help with bbc manifolds and clutch linkage I am guessing that you need the block side pivot ball relocating bracket. That can be tough to find. __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

08-20-2010, 09:59 AM	#5
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: Need help with bbc manifolds and clutch linkage "Bump" means take to the top of the posts to keep the thread going as does "ttt". I sure wish I could help you on the header information. When we put a 454 in my '71 we used a set of hooker headers that we picked up at a swap meet. The guy did not know what they were for other than they would work with a 454 with a manual transmission. The problem we ran into in order to use the headers we had to also use the motor mounts and towers from the '73 C-20 we got the motor from. __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

08-20-2010, 12:04 PM	#6
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Need help with bbc manifolds and clutch linkage maybe post pics of the castiron ones u have that wont work??? __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

01-20-2012, 06:08 PM	#7
chevytrucking Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cedarville, AR Posts: 15	Re: Need help with bbc manifolds and clutch linkage I thought I should probably update this post with what I ended up doing. I kind of forgot about it actually, but just in case someone finds this on a search... The problem ended up being that the motor was setting too deep in the frame. I didn't realize that you can't just set a big block right in place of a small block and everything go back. I ended up taking the frame stands out of the 85 donor truck, redrilled a couple holes in the crossmember, and used the 85 motor mounts. This gave me way more clearance for manifolds/headers. When I started all this, I was going to use the 4 speed tranny that was in the truck, but after I pulled the 454 out to change my motor mounts, I went back with a 5sp NV4500 which used a hydraulic clutch. I used the 5 speed factory bellhousing and mounted a master cylinder on the firewall. I modified the '85 tranny crossmember to work in the '69 and had to redrill all the holes in the frame. Of course then, new driveshaft, new pto, new carrier bearing, new pto drive shaft, etc. Snowball.... So, all of the above, eliminated my original question about the mechanical clutch linkage.



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