Can I change out a 350 sb for a 366?
 

My Dad and I have a wrecker. Apparnetly while he was using it was struggling, so now he wants to put a bigger motor in the truck 86 c30. He has a bus that has good running 366 in it. The bus is going to get scrapped so I ask why not put that motor in the wrecker? Will it fit without alot of mods? Benefits?
OR should I hold off, and try to get a 454? I know of a 454 I can get if I can get the guy to price it right.
Hopefully you guys can help me out with your opinions and advice.

Re: Can I change out a 350 sb for a 366?
 

If I remember right the 366 is based off the BBC platform, its one of the "tall deck" truck versions of the engine, but it is saddled with a small (sub 4") bore and very limited parts availability. I'd wait until a 454 came along or a tall deck 427 and go that route.

Re: Can I change out a 350 sb for a 366?
 

I agree, if you're going to step up to a big block go with the 454. The 366 is pretty anemic.

Re: Can I change out a 350 sb for a 366?
 

Although it is a big block...it is only 16 more cubic inches. I also think a 454 would be the way to go.

Re: Can I change out a 350 sb for a 366?
 

Yep, I agree, go with the 454. The 366's are turds

Re: Can I change out a 350 sb for a 366?
 

I agree that the 454 would be better, but if you have the 366 already and it's free it will be a big improvement in pulling power over the 350. Just depends on what you want and how much you can spend.

Re: Can I change out a 350 sb for a 366?
 

Thanks guys, basically we want the truck to pull good. And if your going to spend the xtra in gas the 350 uses, might as well put in a BB. The 366 we have already, the 454 might be a hard one to get ahold of. We'll see what I find out on the 454.

My thinking was, the 366 was put in the bus for a reason, pulling around a fairly heavy load. So thought in a 1 ton truck it should do even better. BUT i haven't messed with BB much. I know we could make a stroker motor, but that isn't in the funds.

Re: Can I change out a 350 sb for a 366?
 

Hence my profile name, I used to have an S10 Blazer on 1 ton running gear pushing 40-44" tires depending on the day and it had an LP powered 366 from a school bus and that thing had gobs of torque! I'd reccommend the engine to anyone who's looking for a little more grunt if the price is right! The truck was cobbled together when I got it but it was cheap and fun so I'm not sure how hard it would be to swap in - this one was mounted from the front crossmember to the front of the block, no traditional rubber mounts, so check to see if that's something already on the bus...

Good luck!

Re: Can I change out a 350 sb for a 366?
 

I guess you could always swap the 366 in for now and if/when you decide the truck needs more power then step up to a 454. I just think you'd be happier with a 454 right out of the gate, but since its free and you have access to it, go for it. Just take pics, we all love pics :lol: .

Re: Can I change out a 350 sb for a 366?
 

Turp......what do you do......pop in every 6 months or so? :lol:

Like you asked in my build thread, I still owe you a good burnout video. :metal:

Re: Can I change out a 350 sb for a 366?
 

My goodness, what would you want all that work for will no gains and more weight? Make it easy on yourself and just set a dog turd on your hood until you get the 454. Will be the same end result!

Re: Can I change out a 350 sb for a 366?
 

I would say go with the 366 if its free. I doubt most people on the board have actually driven one. Living on a farm, We have had some grain trucks with a 366. They are not a going to move a loaded 30-40,000 pound grain truck much faster than 55 on a flat surface, but they were designed from the start to be a torque motor for use in a truck. I think putting it in a c30 to pull with would be a great use for it. As far as parts availability, they made the 366 up until the 90's. Parts are not impossible to come by, there is just no such thing as a "performance part" for them...just not what the engine is for.

Re: Can I change out a 350 sb for a 366?
 

I'm post more often than that. You just don't notice...and that really hurts my feelings! Oh by the way...don't think that I have forgotten about that burnout video you promised. I do believe that was OVER a year ago. LOL!

Re: Can I change out a 350 sb for a 366?
 

The guy I know is asking 1500 for the 454 truck. it has been sitting for awhile. It was running when he parked it he says. It is the whole truck so It has all the brackets and other stuff needed to swap it over. Is that a decent deal for a 454 truck? I can scrap what I don't need and gets some of the money back.

Re: Can I change out a 350 sb for a 366?
 

I would say that isn't a bad deal for a complete truck. That way you will have everything you need to convert your tow truck over to a big block.

With that 366, you'll likely have to change the oil pan, since they typically have a very large sump (think 8-10 quart pan) that may not clear the front crossmember in your C30. I'm not sure if you could use the water pump and the front accessory drive. The tall deck truck engines use a specific style water pump that is different than a typical big block water pump. It raises the shaft and fan hub up higher than a passenger car or truck pump. Then the exhaust manifolds may or may not clear the front crossmember in your C30 either. The 366 will have a 'saddle' type motor mount on the front of the engine. You'll have to remove that and transfer your motor mounts from the 350 to the 366. Just a few things to think about