[bigdog7373]

I want to put a 6-71 on a small block in my 78 firebird. Only problem is whith the accessories. I have the alternator, power steering, and a/c. The a/c will be a kit from vintage air. How do i go about monting all these? The only alternator mount i can find for short water pump (required for the 6-71) is a low mount, butnit says it won't worknwith the factory cross member. Also i can't see how i could possibly fit the a/c compressor on there.
Any guidance on this would be awesome.

[68NovaSS]

I don't have air in my Nova, with Dart Pro-1 heads I was able to use a ZOOPS lower, passenger side alternator bracket, turned upside down, and clearanced for the valve cover lip on the passengers side, mounts pretty low. I braced it off a water pump bolt with the turn-buckle adjuster that came with it. Took a little bit of brain storming, but got it to work.

I do have power steering and used a ZOOPS adjustable lower mount, it aligned fine. I'm using two deep V-Belts on the short pump, clearance is tight, have about 1/2 inch between the V-belts and 8-71 blower belt. I'm in the process of moving and have the car in storage surrounded by furniture, so can't get to it for pictures.

[bigdog7373]

Thanks! That exactly what i was lookimg for
I can kinda see the alternater bracket in your project journal pictures. Your car is freaking sweet!

[68NovaSS]

Thanks, took 4 years to build and paint. I enjoy it more than the Bucket-T but it doesn't like ambient temps over 100, and we've been having lot of that.

[bigdog7373]

It's got to be a blast to drive. Hows it do in the 1/4?

I've been trying to price out how much it will set me back and i'm ending up with somewhere around $8000 if i were build a 355, does that seem right?
Another thought i was having was to build a low compression forged big block and run it with however much power it will make, then when i have the money i'll put a blower on.
The thing is that i don't have 8 grand to spend at the moment just on the engine but i could put together a big block for a lot less than that. What do you think about this?

[bentwings]

It's hard to beat the power and torque of a 502 bbc crate motor...even the lower performance ones. not only that but they run smooth and are very reliable.

I ran into a guy with a 502 and a 4L-80 trans in his Willys at "back to the 50's" and he said he gets 23 mpg to boot. I can assure you 23 mpg will not come easy on a dual carbed sbc with a 6-71. I have worked all summer on mine to get from 16 mpg to 17 mpg and that is not consistant. All it takes is one time being heavy footed going thru the gears and you can kill off 1 mpg or more.

I have managed to run on 87 for a couple years now but I surely would not recommend it if you are just starting out.

You are close to correct on $8 grand to build a blown sbc. You can spend more. Even at this you will have to be very selective in parts choice.

You should be able to get into a bbc for about 5-6 grand plus a good trans.

[bigdog7373]

I've decided against the big power engine for this build actually. With the car being a unibody the thought of trying to push a lot of power through it is starting to scare me. I'm just going to hop up the current 350 and put a 4 speed in it. Just make it a fun street car. I've always wanted a chevelle so when i finally get one i know what i want to do.

[bentwings]

Your picture is one of my favorites also. being a long time Corsair and Bearcat fan where this motor eventually found a home. Affectionately called a "corncob" due to the look of the 4 rows of cylinders. I bet the crew chief just loved the pilots when one came back with a burned piston. haha

I had the fun time of being right next to a Bearcat starting and getting ready for take off. Can you imagin what it was like being 22=23 years old and jumping into one of these and lighting the fire on an R-4360?? It must have been like my first time ride in a nitro funnycar.

[bigdog7373]

I actually got to see one a couple months ago at a museum. Wasn't in running condition but was still cool. Must have been the coolest thing when they were brand new! There was nothing else like it. I've heard it called the corn cob before and i can see why lol, but i usually refer to it as the "wasp major".
Just think, one wrong start and you're stuck swapping out 56 spark plugs! yikes!

[bentwings]

Wouldn't it be fun to wheel this one over to your buddy's in a posh neighborhood and start it up???

Pratt and Whitney R-4360 - Run October 2, 2008 Penngrove, CA - YouTube

Pratt and Whitney R-4360 - Run October 2, 2008 Penngrove, CA - YouTube

[bigdog7373]

Haha that's just too cool! You don't even have to put it in anything, just having it on a trailer is awesome enough