16 classic engine swap [Archive]

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bjh517

10-01-2003, 11:02 AM

OK, so I think I found a 16 Classic that has a beat 4.3 engine. I know they offered 8 cylinders, so do I definately have the room to drop in a 5.7 Mercruiser?
Some mechanics say no problem, others say it is too tight. Any first hand experiences?

mattyboy

10-01-2003, 11:27 AM

I have a 351w in a 16 and it is tight both front and back and side to side, I saw a 16 with a 350 in it recently that the power steering pump was real close to the back seat but it fit! wink the risers were not on but looked like it had enough room on the sides to work on it.do a search on the crazy 16 from lk winnie it had a SC on it and some 600+hp, so where there's a will theres a way!

Matty

Rootsy

10-01-2003, 11:57 AM

yes,

you have the room to fit a 350 in there... the front is TIGHT... especially the power steering pump to rear seat clearance... i'll post some photos of my 16 when i get some time...

stock merc center risers fit without issue and i actually have a high rise dual plane and holley with a small zenith flame retarder and it fits under the hatch without clearance issue.

http://www.donzi.net/photos/jaroot015.jpg

http://www.donzi.net/photos/jaroot041.jpg

Sam

10-01-2003, 05:31 PM

There's lots of them around including mine. Let me know if want some pics.

Sam

Dredgeking

10-01-2003, 06:51 PM

my '76 had an old 6 cylinder engine. it now has a zz4 chevy crate 350 in it. it's tight. not too tight that you can't work, but tight enough it makes some things a pain in the ass. the 350 is a great engine to put in there. i wouldn't put anything else in it.

bjh517

10-02-2003, 10:17 AM

Rootsy
I would love some more detailed pictures - Thanks

Rootsy

10-02-2003, 11:01 AM

what specifically do you wish to see? let me know and i'll sift through what i have and attempt to accomodate you or take more since my motor is about to come out once more...

ok a few more... NOTICE the cutout in the access panel lip behind my rear seat cushion.. the serpentine belt passes through that plane.. literally less than 1/4 inch of clearance and i think that figure is generous... the PS pulley literally resides spins within that hatch for the cross rib is trimmed away for clearance...

http://www.donzi.net/photos/jaroot106.jpg

in the second photo notice the idler pulley... the hex is 5/16 to hold it while you tighten on the back side with a 5/8 wrench... the idler pulley itself is within an 1/8th inch of the foam... i HIGHLY suggest a 5/16 snap-on wrench for this operation... it can be a challenging operation...

http://www.donzi.net/photos/jaroot107.jpg

more later if you wish

ToonaFish

10-02-2003, 11:02 PM

Admit it, JaRoot, I am the only person ever to have ridden in your back seat.

*Edit to read: "the only person foolish enough to have ridden"

Bunches,

Celene 'and if I had dug into the Biltrites just a wee bit further, I could have filed my nails on the serpentine...'

bjh517

10-03-2003, 01:45 PM

Rootsy

Beautiful! Thanks for the pics, they answered my questions. What did you do on the hatch to compensate for the risers?

Rootsy

10-03-2003, 02:19 PM

i have a totally FLAT AND STOCK hatch... i never had and still do not have (with the imco's) any clearance issues what so ever. neither do i have any clearance issues with my intake, carb and flame arrester... i have 1/4 inch clearance between top (back side since motor angles down) of flame arrester and hatch...

Rootsy - measure twice and do not cut! wink

Ranman

10-03-2003, 03:19 PM

Speed-Racer

10-03-2003, 08:37 PM

Very nice setup Roosty.... :D

Budman

10-06-2003, 03:59 PM

Rootsy; very professional set-up. What type of gauge is attached to the fuel line?

Rootsy

10-06-2003, 11:36 PM

Thanks for all of the compliments...

Budman,

the gauge is a fuel pressure gauge. i find that the pump puts out about 7 - 7 1/2 psi and the pressure on the gauge (and in the line and against the float) is inconsistant with each pulse of the fuel pump. therefore i run a regulator and hold a constant and consistant fuel pressure in my line and against the needle and seat in the carb.

here is a little peek of the final phase of the little 16's mouse... a bit more oil flowage (OH looky i found PM rods :) ).. little more fuel and air ingestion... a change of pace in the color dept... all is good under da hatch now :D

http://www.donzi.net/photos/jaroot154.jpg

http://www.donzi.net/photos/jaroot153.jpg

http://www.donzi.net/photos/jaroot152.jpg

on second thought... all is not good.. where's my BG carb and full rollers dangit frown

Rootsy

10-06-2003, 11:40 PM

sooo birthday girl, you ready for ride #2 eek! :D wink

http://www.donzi.net/photos/jaroot151.jpg

http://www.donzi.net/photos/jaroot150.jpg

Budman

10-07-2003, 07:42 AM

Rootsy: are those stock heads in your 350? I was looking in my Summit Racing catalog this morning at those Trick Flow heads, but am not sure if they would add enough more horsepower to justify the change.

Greg K

10-07-2003, 08:08 AM

I believe Mr. Root has heads from www.protopline.com (http://www.protopline.com)

I'm sure he'll confirm it soon enough.

Rootsy

10-07-2003, 08:14 AM

greg gets the cookie... :)

Barry Phillips

10-07-2003, 08:42 PM

A friend of mine recently repowered a 1967 Sweet 16 with a 350 from the standard 289 the H&M. He promised me I could drive it, I'm looking forward to it. So I guess it fits.

SO-SLO

mattyboy

10-08-2003, 08:48 AM

I beleive last night it was online engineered in the chat room to fit a 434 Sb in there eek! including KPPFNP

KPPFNP= K PLANES PUCKER FACTOR N PARACHUTE eek! :p wink :D

Matty
somewhere in the Mid-West birth is being given to
an 80+ MPH 16, If you listen you can hear the wrenches turning wink :D

CDMA

10-08-2003, 09:16 AM

I would pay to see that little 16 pass the Roadtrip SE....

Chris

Still need 500EFI...knowing Todd one would be forsale... wink

MOP

10-15-2003, 11:20 PM

Rootsy I been ogling the photos off and on for days, has this old guy smiling. Real nice looking and obviously on the potent side, what kind of HP are you putting out. From Terra to Aqua you do have some nice toys! wink

Rootsy

10-16-2003, 08:01 AM

Thanks Phil,

motor is in and running now... sounds pretty healthy too... estimation is 410 - 415 hp @ crank @ 5500 rpm and somewhere around 420 ft-lb of torque in the 4000 - 4500 range... i will probably pull and dyno for actual numbers come spring. she idles pretty nicely at 800 rpm in neutral and pulls 12 inches of Hg and puts out 103 dBA :rolleyes: somehow i have the feeling i am gonna get bugged next year a time or two...

sold the holley... now she is possessed and boy does she love it wink

bjh517

10-16-2003, 05:45 PM

All,
I found a Sea Maxx 5.7L Vortec Carb Bobtail (310hp) for $4600.00 to drop in my 16 Classic (pictured above). That seems to be by far the best option I have found for my limited budget.
I am thinking of through hull exhaust. How loud will it be? Can I still hear my stereo at idle??
Also, any clue as to what speeds I'll get with my Alpha GenII?

MOP

10-16-2003, 06:38 PM

Here is a few more to look at!

http://www.ebasicpower.com/engines/base/
http://www.affordablemarine.com/gm.htm
http://www.goautocenter.com/320hp_alum__head.htm
http://www.powertorque.net/engines.htm

Rootsy

10-16-2003, 07:02 PM

alpha GEN II... 280 pshp should get you into the 60 - 62 range if propped properly so that you can hang onto it... 300 pshp will get you into the mid 60's