Engine SwapEverything about swapping an engine into your Third Gen.....be it V6, V8, LTX/LSX, crate engine, etc. Pictures, questions, answers, and work logs.
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I'm putting a Vortec based 7.4l in my bird and had to do all the fact digging the hard way. This may be useful to other 3rdgen members looking for an ever increasingly hard to find BBC. Newer vortec based ones seem to be plentiful.
My donor 454 is from a 97 truck, from what I've discovered are components from a tall deck truck block interchange. Intake manifolds, exhaust manifolds/headers ect. Same deal as the SBC externally referenced EGR which shouldn’t be a big deal since this isn’t an emission friendly swap. Valve covers are the same on all BBC's except these are factory aluminum.
Inside the engine on ?96+? BBC's the rocker arms are non adjustable and cannot be converted. Good part is they all come with roller cams and the heads interchange with older style heads. The newer engine takes a special head gasket only because it needs to crush to a certain point for tolerance with the lifter lash. Other then that older style head gaskets can be used if one chooses to swap heads.
The timing cover on the vortec has the provision for CPS, it can be plugged The cams are interchangeable with older BBC's timing chain & gears could be changed if you choose to.
Only other difference is the fuel pump boss is not cast into these engines so an electric pump must be used.
