Is it possible to have a Chevrolet Big Block in a FFR Type 65?

[scheidecker]

We have a small collection of Corvettes and a 65 Cobra.
Among them there is a rare 65 big block roadster. We are the second owners. Now that car has the original engine we are rebuilding to put back on, all correct with all number parts, headers, carburetor, etc.

In its place now there is a 1972 Chevelle engine which we had to rebuild with aluminium Summit racing headers (that work with the original 65 Mk.IV L78 intake) and the engine is amazing.
The engine block part number is 3999290 if that makes it easier to understand.

Of course, as we will be putting the original engine and all components back in we will have a spare new rebuilt engine.
Which is this 1972 Chevelle LS6 cammed engine we made much better. Pictures attached

Initially I was thinking of getting a project Corvette and put that engine in. But then I thought....hmmm, wonder if I could put that in a Factory Five I could assemble with my son.

My son is an honours student and athlete. He is doing technical school as he has already finished high school. He just finished an Automation class and got best in State which means he is going to Atlanta on Monday to compete for the nationals. He is now studying Machining and CNC at the same school. MountainLand Tech and he plans to attend Aerospace engineering. So he is very hands on with machines.

I thought HOW COOL would that be building a Factory Five car with my own son?

Oh, btw, I've trained him as a world class driver. He has been driving manual and sports cars since he was 9 years old on closed circuits. He is a great boy and a very good driver.

And he is 6'4" hopefully we can have him fit on the Type 65.

Now....I am old school and I like to do things traditionally. A Cobra should have a Ford engine but since I will have this extra engine from my 65 roadster I thought about asking you guys if it is doable. Peter Brock has a LT4 on his Daytona.

I imagine that engine mounts, exhaust and gages will be different but I could also install a FuelTech system on that BBC which would make electronic analog gages possible.
Would a Tremec box work? Do we have to fabricate a bell housing for it? We can actually do it here.

Also we can fabricate the engine mounts here.

I am concerned with the aluminium exhaust shroud of the radiator as I wonder if the engine would fit with that or we have to modify it.

I am not a huge mechanic but have knowledge and I am a 3rd gen collector and enthusiast.

Thank you!

219859219860

[Jeff Kleiner]

If a Coyote fits a BBC will fit. You’ll be on your own for headers and mounts.

Jeff

[bobl]

There is a member on here that put a BBC in a roadster. So it can be done.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?22149-Valin-s-Roadster-Build-Thread-in-Pictures-8632

[GoDadGo]

When I did my SBC MK4 Roadster I used Schoenfeld IMSA Header #161-33.
Yes the engine had to move forward but it wasn't a big deal because I needed to clear the distributor.
With that being stated; I wonder if you could adapt these Headman BBC C2-C3 Corvette Side Mount Headers?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-68210?srsltid=AfmBOoqDKjNSUUkV98aJnQC-M8jxDVkb04vF786nMyos_EgH2Mk6QxS4q_k#overview

[J R Jones]

Consider the total height of a carbureted BBC. The pan will challenge you below the frame rails and the air cleaner will challenge your hood.
Digital EFI and a dry sump will reduce BBC height.
jim

[David Williamson]

The hood height on the Coupe is lower so Ford big blocks don't fit, even the 351 based engines require short intakes to fit under the hood. Of course you can make anything fit with mods.
David W

[PNWTim]

I'm with Jeff. I think based on the size of the Coyote sitting in my shop a BBC should fit as well. I would measure height and length and compare to confirm The only thing I would be concerned about is weight. You are probably adding another 250 lbs to the front end as that looks like a cast iron block. You will probably need to run some kind of serpentine setup and Lemons will build you custom headers (or maybe Gasn already has a template). Bellhousing and transmission should fit as the tunnel is pretty generous.

As a side note, I would probably be concerned about BBC torque twisting the half shafts off the CV joints and leaving a yard sale. But that's down the road as they say...

[drewr]

The Coyote has a low intake. The Coupe has a low hood, so the intake would be the issue. You’ll also need a low profile pan. In the spirit of fun, I’ll ask you, would you put a Ford in one of your Corvettes?

[8secDuster]

I remember this car from a couple of years ago. Its an early generation that unfortunately had a really bad day.
I understand that it has been repaired, but haven't seen it.

https://www.tiktok.com/@lambogeo/video/7210603339162193198

[scheidecker]

Thanks Jim. I was thinking the same thing. I wonder, though, if it would have enough space in the front of the engine that is close to the radiator aluminium exhaust piece of the Type 65,

[scheidecker]

Well Drewr, I own a continuation 65 Cobra with a Roush 427. Love Fords and Chevys. But here is the spirit of it: this is a great engine with sentimental value as my 17 year old son put it together. Hence I could get a Grand Sport and put it into or a Type 65. A Corvette is a Chevy product a Cobra or Daytona is not essentially a Ford product. Ford was a supplier to Shelby. Peter Brock has a LT4 in his Daytona Coupe.

[scheidecker]

Thanks Jeff. We can do that. I was thinking to do an injection system and the mounts we can do it also.