454 Engine Swap: Removing Small Block Engine and Preparing for Big Block (78 Firebird Ep.35)

Рет қаралды 96,985

Жыл бұрын

It is finally time to get back to work on the car itself instead of prepping the new engine for it, and first off we'll have to make some room for all of that! We'll start off with a wash and retrospective on the small block 350 that was in the car when I bought it nine years ago and then get right to work on removing it. Then there are a bunch of little things to do while the engine bay is empty that we will take care of, so that we are ready to get right to installing the 454 in the next episode.
Timeline of filming: December 13th, 2020 - December 30th, 2020
Song List (Order of First Appearance):
00:01 Wide Awake - The 126ers
05:03 Station 22 - The 126ers
11:11 Land of My Fathers - The 126ers
18:14 The Day is Close - The 126ers
21:57 From the Fall - Dan Lebowitz
(All music provided by KZfaq's Audio Library royalty free.)
Thanks for watching, and joining us on this adventure! Please let us know what you think! Consider supporting us via Patreon as well! / fuzzydiceprojects
Follow our Instagram for more pictures and teasers: / fuzzydiceprojects
Check out our second channel for a variety of other content: / @fuzzydicepastimes

Пікірлер: 247

@FuzzyDiceProjects Жыл бұрын

This one is coming in hot, which is why it is being posted at 2pm and not the morning like I'd usually prefer. This was a big moment for the car and I wanted to get it right, hopefully everyone enjoys this episode and is looking forward to what comes next!

@_Otaku-kt8be Жыл бұрын

You're wrong about the exhaust it's going to kill a lot of horsepower check out the episode of engine masters you need 3in exhaust minimum. I have a BBC 454 .60 over zz572 hydraulic roller cam Edelbrock tunnel ram/heads holley super sniper 2x4 efi 630hp 590tq NA I had 2.5in exhaust after the 3in collector coming off the headers took it off you can certainly tell the difference.

@IAmBlux Жыл бұрын

Loving this series so far. Keep up the awesome work, and can't wait to see what projects the future holds.

@DanielGilbert86 Жыл бұрын

For this fella over the pond in Europe, it's a welcome evening surprise. Thanks for posting, I really enjoy this series!

@Rekuzan Жыл бұрын

Pro-tip: Don't forget to keep your blinker fluid res topped off during the break-in period! Can't count the number of times I've seen 'em blow because of it... 🤣

@ProfaneGod Жыл бұрын

Find a lawn tractor that's begging for a small block upgrade.

@roberttractortaylor Жыл бұрын

My my my, looks like you just happen to have all the spare parts you need to build a 350 Fiero, don't you?

@sortaspicey9278 Жыл бұрын

What a craaaazy coincidence

@howhardcanitbe1 Жыл бұрын

I think you're right!

@lsingleton77 Жыл бұрын

A Supercharged 350 fiero?? 👀

@funnypranker34 Жыл бұрын

See if fuzzy dice will sell it to you

@Sidewinder1999 Жыл бұрын

Tremendous idea, would be another great build on this channel. A blown big block Firebird and a blown small block Fiero sounds like a pretty good garage too.

@doubleutubefan5 Жыл бұрын

You pick this up back in 2014!?!?! I nearly spit my drink. I literally remember the first episode when you got this car. It's been 9 years. ITS BEEN 9 YEARS HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE

@josephlemieux5981 Жыл бұрын

That small block sounded great, can’t wait to hear the big block rumble! Looking forward to the next episode.

@robertwest7633 Жыл бұрын

Man, I was pretty close to thinking, "damnit man I'll buy you a muffler."

@xavierleslie7394 Жыл бұрын

This is probably my favorite build I've been following. Keep up the good work and great content

@azzanal-sinani3413 Жыл бұрын

Oh boy that big bloke is mighty and heavy

@sandyv4819 Жыл бұрын

I'm picturing the total horror show it's gonna be when that big boy is on top of the car going in sideways. It's gonna be more scarier than any horror movie

@azzanal-sinani3413 Жыл бұрын

@Sandyv hope he gets the engine in without damage or hurting himself

@robinrai4973 Жыл бұрын

I love the little comments from your editing

@Emacspirate Жыл бұрын

Happy springtime!

@timothyballinger6280 Жыл бұрын

When I got my license back in the mid 80's there was 1 or more of these Pontiacs parked on every street in probably America! At least in my home town lol! I've built a bunch of these cars! You could buy a perfect trans am with mechanical issues for a couple hundred bucks and sometimes you could get them given to you for just hauling it off. I got so many muscle cars for little to no money just to get them out off someone's yard so they didn't have to mow around them anymore! I'm so glad I got to grow up then than now!

@davelowets Жыл бұрын

Yep. Me too... I can remember buying rust-free G-Bodys for a couple hundred bucks. Now people want $10k+ for a rust-free V-6 car. Crazy! I SURE WISH that I had kept some of the stuff that I had. I'd be rich today... 😕

@Cus7ate9 Жыл бұрын

IS THAT A FIERO GT I SEE?!?! I'm working on one too on my channel, got 4 parts out on it already!! Hopefully it's yours and a future car on the channel! Love this video series

@rwdplz1 Жыл бұрын

25:37 I completely forgot you had a Fiero.

@devinschunk2073 Жыл бұрын

I just remembered it as well. I had to rewind it a couple times to see

@Wageslave645 Жыл бұрын

If you want to upgrade that small block to a serpentine drive, you can use a 2nd gen 4.3 S10 or Blazer serpentine drive system. It will have belt clearance for the supercharger and will come with an 105 amp CS130 style alternator and an O-ring style power steering pump that has an extension so you can actually reach the fill port without a transmission funnel. Just a thought for that SBC's next adventure.

@j_dawg97 Жыл бұрын

Hey so you’ve piqued my interest, it’s a straight swap? Crank pulley fits?

@Wageslave645 Жыл бұрын

@@j_dawg97 Crank pulley fits. The only thing that doesn't fit is the secondary support for the back of the power steering pump, but it isn't really needed. You will need like an inch shorter belt than stock for an S-10 but they are readily available.

@Wageslave645 Жыл бұрын

@@j_dawg97 Oh, almost forgot. If you do this, get the water pump as well as it is reverse rotation.

@rafflesssadiss8182 Жыл бұрын

Appreciate the metric measurement in the video. Lets Go! Lets Do this. 😊

@AwesomePieMann Жыл бұрын

Metric is for queers 😄

@jadenmcmanus8095 Жыл бұрын

Hey, just to let you know, and i hope you see this but I have a 77 trans am with a built 400 pushing 450hp and i just wanted to make sure you have frame connectors because if its just the stock unibody frame then your car might literally snap in half

@jeffman3 Жыл бұрын

Replying to this to hopefully boost the comment idk how it works

@originalpunkSxE Жыл бұрын

Yes. Frame connectors. Please see this comment. Knew a guy a long time ago who put a Poncho 400 in a 1975 Ventura (rear end of a first gen f-Body, front end of a second gen... that's why the front wheels look like they stick out so much). Anyways, he stepped on it down the backroads and the car twisted so much he shattered his windshield. I know Trans Ams had big power in 1971, but you can't be too safe.

@davelowets Жыл бұрын

No, the car will NOT "snap in half" without frame connectors and 450 h.p. I've ran more horsepower then this without them. If the car is a rotted piece of shit, with original, cracking, splitting, body mounts in it, THEN it might move around a little. At the very least, make sure that the car isn't rotten where the frame attaches to the body, and replace the old and cracked body mounts. I've ran several 2nd gen F-Bodys, and a 1976 Nova, with healthy big blocks in them, and NEVER ripped any of the cars apart. If you plan on going to the drag strip with sticky slicks on it, and have 500+ h.p., THEN by all means, put frame connectors in it.

@davelowets Жыл бұрын

@@originalpunkSxE That's a story that you heard... I don't care if it's 1000h.p., you're not going to shatter the windshield on a back road. The car simply won't have enough traction to be able to do that with the stock suspension.

@originalpunkSxE Жыл бұрын

@@davelowets You can bend a car with torque if it hooks. Probably not a Camaro or Firebird because they came stock with plenty (at least in 1970). But cars with too much power for what they were built with can bend. Otherwise, no one would bother making frame connectors.

@Mr_Twiglesworth Жыл бұрын

When i pulled the motor back out of My 78 trans am, i just cut the headers off with a saw, it was super satisfying to send them on their miserable way (it needed to be completely rebuilt so shrapnel wasnt a concern)

@2koolchris291 Жыл бұрын

Heck yeah, I love the firebird

@Vitamin-R Жыл бұрын

I’m new to the channel. I didn’t know you also had a fiero! Just like me! I have an 88gt fiero and an 81 T/A in my garage. I’ve enjoyed watching your Firebird series!

@trentdawg2832 Жыл бұрын

You did a fine job shining up that big block …..its gonna look like a 3kt diamond sitting in that engine bay……bravo!!

@sandyv4819 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful engine!... Crusty engine bay. Sounds about right

@awswe2801 Жыл бұрын

YES! I've been waiting for this!

@michixinqq Жыл бұрын

i hope next episode is mounting and ripping it

@justfly7730 Жыл бұрын

It will be one hell of a car.

@perotekku Жыл бұрын

Pulled my first engine, seized flathead, sideways like you did in the video. Did it on a heaved concrete floor, so me and my buddies had to get a running start with the crane to clear cracks 😂

@TheJoecb Жыл бұрын

Dude, I've had ZERO notifications about any new videos. I got worried because it had been months since i had seen anything from you. I had to go looking, and I see like 6 videos that i completely missed. KZfaq hasn't been notifying me of any new uploads 😢. I'm so glad to see you never left!

@shawngtpsvm Жыл бұрын

Never clicked on a video so fast.

@Vaino_Hotti Жыл бұрын

Weird thing again. It's sunday morning, I'm hungover and I'm chilling out watching Fuzzy Dice Projects.

@NeverLetOff Жыл бұрын

Yes!!!! Let's go!!!!!! New video!

@doolallyproductions7234 Жыл бұрын

Cant wait definitely gonna need heavy duty springs and shocks from a trans am also direct fit radiator aluminum 3 core can handle a BBC with TH400

@thrillbilly9785 Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Looking forward to seeing the big block in the bird. Put the small block in the Fiero!

@lb9gta307 Жыл бұрын

When did he get a Fiero? Or are you confusing him with Ronald Finger?

@lb9gta307 Жыл бұрын

Never mind, I saw it.

@bobmcme12 Жыл бұрын

Love every one of these, based on the timestamp of 2020, feel like ive got two years of stuff before you run out of footage, keep it coming please!

@Firebird400 Жыл бұрын

You know what’s funny my car is the exact same trim , year , colour and sticker as yours . I just made a t/a clone out of it over the years.

@olympusborn Жыл бұрын

Love this channel. Was legit watching another KZfaq newly released video, and ditched it when I saw this release.

@jacksonstephens9772 Жыл бұрын

Put the small block in the 91 Firebird!

@Chris-Rife Жыл бұрын

This generation is one of my favorite cars, and for sure are one of my favorite firebirds. No one ever goes all out of em to turn them into a badass cruiser in modern times. Lowered/suspension, with modern brake n rotor system, tinted windows, fresh paint, weld wheels, digital dash cluster, tremec 6spd, rear end etc. When I see these cars they are either well conditioned and in factory form or poorly modified... its rare and I mean rare anyone takes the platform and turns it into badass car. So much visual appeal to these cars and makes me wanna sell my 5.0 and apply some savings and buy one just to turn it into badass cruiser with a LS3.

@StormHawksHD Жыл бұрын

another fantastic video.

@BarneySaysHi Жыл бұрын

The song "Unchain my heart" comes to mind with this video.

@corvusala Жыл бұрын

OMG this is the best look at what actually working on a car is like! You spend an hour doing the most random frustrating thing no one would guess at.

@MrSiren52 Жыл бұрын

Just in time for Easter. It was great to see the comparisons with the super chargers and engine blocks. I know in my head they are bigger, but seeing it really helps drive it home.

@RESTORATIONRESCUE Жыл бұрын

Awesome job!! Great video as always!!

@CharlieMetcalf Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Cant wait for the install and first crank!

@RESTORATIONRESCUE Жыл бұрын

That thing looks absolutely amazing!! Keep up the amazing work!

@konradrueb1713 Жыл бұрын

There is so much for activities. It's coming along nicely. Great video.

@giancarlopbranco Жыл бұрын

That's a wondeful job, man! Congrats and thank's for share knowledge!

@captaingreatvalue3176 Жыл бұрын

Nice job I always enjoy watching your videos mostly because of your intelligent mechanical advice and your professionalism

@yoyocheqc301 Жыл бұрын

soooo hyped to see finally see some progress on the actual car 😁

@77chevy4x4 Жыл бұрын

Nice work just got mine put back together. Awesome build ! 😊

@Aqua-uq7ix Жыл бұрын

2 months bro.. where u at?

@NotAGarage Жыл бұрын

I'm always anxiously awaiting the next episode

@diegoloera435 7 ай бұрын

Man I missed your videos bud. Glad your posting again 🙏👍

@ekaftan Жыл бұрын

Nice engine for the Pinto :)

@deadon4847 Жыл бұрын

If you like that trans-gendered, rainbow flag stuff.

@sirilence2529 Жыл бұрын

I love these build series im excited to see what you do with it see what it will do at the drag strip with a 4.10 rear gear

@dreamerx23 Жыл бұрын

NICE!

@robsdeviceunknown Жыл бұрын

I have never rebuilt lo botton end of a engine. So I plan on picking up a 350, or maybe a modern LS to learn on as parts are cheaper than exotic ones. I don't have anything to put it in yet though. But thats ok. It's kinda like building AR's few extra parts makes you start a whole new build lol

@JamieBainbridge Жыл бұрын

It's a good and fun project, especially these days there's videos and forum posts showing you how to do everything. Today I laugh at some of the risks I unknowingly took on my first build, but it worked out okay. Build a little engine running station with a radiator and starter and battery and small exhaust to run your engine on.

@toml665 Жыл бұрын

The 77-78 was always looked upon as the disco era ,down time at GM. So glad you are building this car because the lines are really beautiful. When you take a step back and look at the silhouette of the second gen Firebirds they are really some of the best looking cars of that era and they stand the time test.

@willardelibolt Жыл бұрын

Looks like that 350 and super, need to go into the blazer

@jessiebickel2214 Жыл бұрын

man i cant wait to see it done

@fredness5300 Жыл бұрын

That radiator "Should" do the trick! Nice. I've never regretted going oversized on the core, or getting additional rows.

@Mearsy101 Жыл бұрын

Love this video series I have been waiting for the engine removal video I have a 79 Camaro and I need to remove the engine to replace the rear main seal. You make it look so easy.

@TubeInspire Жыл бұрын

I've been searching for a while and seen so many videos, and they all show but do not explain!! This is a great video and well presented. THANK YOU!! Now I feel I can get it done 👊 new follower !!

@iamgriff Жыл бұрын

The DIY slide hammer is pretty trick honestly.

@mymidschoollife8485 Жыл бұрын

There's a pinto with that engine's name written all over it ;)

@just__dave Жыл бұрын

Really enjoying going back at 25% speed to catch all the hidden messages 😂

@JesusTorres-qr1gz Жыл бұрын

Congratulations, your toy is fantastic, make the best of it, enjoy, many years ago I did something similar, today I am an old man and I enjoy every second of your video, to you and everyone that one way or another made it possible to bring it to us my most expensive thanks for your outstanding project, blessings to you and your love ones, from the endless summer paradise Puerto Rico Jesus Torres .

@Averagegamer673 Жыл бұрын

Your really spoiling us with videos each week i remember watching the 1991 firebird in the 9th grade im graduated now and still waiting for an update on the 91 firebird, its been 2 years since the last update and dont think i dont see that yellow and black trans am mr fuzzy dice

@MikhailScottKy Жыл бұрын

I know this is canned for later erlease BUT if it is possible to move the engine back 1 inch you should have all of the needed clearance.

@wurly164 Жыл бұрын

Happy Easter

@dieterich6533 Жыл бұрын

Good job 👍 😂 definitely made me laugh in a few places

@scotthultin7769 Жыл бұрын

Nice make great again 🎉😊

@finnyg1 Жыл бұрын

Please give the engine bay a clean up, even if it's just a pressure wash and rattle can touch up. The engine deserves it

@brandenclauson Жыл бұрын

Baby come back, you can blame it all on me

@that_sicksix1719 Жыл бұрын

It would be cool to see that whole top end and cam on the old blazer

@19815389 Жыл бұрын

Love the silver on the new engine, your going to have to change the coil springs , that engine is going to look awesome in that Firebird

@1AstralKing Жыл бұрын

15:26 It’s all ball bearings nowadays.

@Name-vu1kn Жыл бұрын

I love that husky ratchet. I got mine for $40 on sale and it has been nothing but awesome. Though I did see HD raised the price to $100.

@danielesilvaggi Жыл бұрын

you will need big block springs. I put big block springs on my 1980 camaro so my headers wouldn't hit the road going over bumps and small hills and the car sits really nice. Great series so far I love it.

@natoawster4648 Жыл бұрын

No you dont .

@davelowets Жыл бұрын

I put an Olds 455 in my 79 which originally had a 3.8 V-6 in it. I left the V-6 springs in it, and it sat just fine with them. Of course, I removed a bunch of factory junk under the hood that was no longer needed, but it all didn't weigh that much. The 455 had iron heads and a factory iron intake on it.. 🤷🏻

@Ox78 Жыл бұрын

Waiting on these new videos 😂

@ipoopmuffins Жыл бұрын

i feel like ive been waiting a year for the next video in the series

@borismaccarthy7131 Жыл бұрын

Lesgo!!!!

@xsniperprox1 Жыл бұрын

the thing that always is a deciding factor in terms of upgrading to a different engine, is of course reliability and cost, the next would be overall ease of service and then power to weight. of course bigger cubic inches can result in more hp but also more torque but you're also pushing basically another passenger worth of weight around. people often gloat about the fact they have the biggest, baddest engine in their muscle car but dont forget. a small block can be just as capable as a big block in terms of power. Also just a thought. maybe you could wrap the headers to keep most of the heat in the headers themselves and not the engine bay. would help with burning off carbon in the exhaust system since they would be hotter.

@3rdGenGuy Жыл бұрын

enjoyed the video as always. just a FYI through, the generic 12in fans that come on cheap aluminum radiators suck. when they fail, get some 98-02 F-body fans out of the junkyard. crazy powerful fans for very little money.

@PyroBlock Жыл бұрын

At minimum you will want to get new front springs because big block 2nd gen f body had stiffer springs, the small block springs will not be able to handle the weight all the other suspension components are the same regardless of what engine GM put in the car

@GUE5TPA55 Жыл бұрын

@9:14 I do the same thing every time ....every time

@maxvindication7828 Жыл бұрын

FUCKING FINALLY, I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SO LONGGGG

@poopypeanuts5711 11 ай бұрын

ive found the best prep for this engine swap is painting the car black and gold with a screaming turkey on the hood i mean i have zero experience but i just know it will add 50 more horse power lol

@ThomasBarron-eo9hg Жыл бұрын

Here's a plan that will be great, and a great challenge, rebuild the 350 out of the Firebird and put it in the Fiero!!

@johnnymack8442 Жыл бұрын

Maybe put the blown 350 in the S10 or trans am ???..

@okthisisepic1055 Жыл бұрын

Please put the 350 in that fiero if you still have it

@markharris1473 11 ай бұрын

And a Maryland car. I hope to see it in Maryland or Pennsylvania when its done

@LesMorrisracing Жыл бұрын

The drive along sounds like it could use 3.73 gears and a looser converter. You might find out what a Spragless Converter does.

@davelowets Жыл бұрын

A sprageless converter will do NOTHING for it...

@MikhailScottKy Жыл бұрын

Looking at the 350 I am going to ask if you have a new home planned for it? NVM you answered this later.

@dlewis9760 Жыл бұрын

I know you are a mechanical channel but about 10 years ago, painting cars with rollers was a thing. Like Rustoleom paint. Maybe a change of pace in the future once the engine goes in.

@roberttractortaylor Жыл бұрын

I've watched a few of those. That looks like so much work for a paint job that will only last like a year outdoors

@dlewis9760 Жыл бұрын

@@roberttractortaylor I remember seeing some real good results. What Fuzzy D has is kind of beat right now. Can't be any worse. Clear coat is mostly gone and the trunk lid and spoiler doesn't match. Rustoleum makes a Farm + Implement paint and that equipment lives outdoors.

@roberttractortaylor Жыл бұрын

@@dlewis9760 I guess you're right, I didn't consider the 78's paint job is toast from uv already. All the old videos I watched they didn't use the heavy duty Rust-Oleum, they used like your basic $12-a-quart stuff you can get at Walmart, so I immediately thought that's what you meant.

@AgnotologyTV Жыл бұрын

Put that small block in the Pinto =D. Also did you ever figure out your overheating issue for the Pinto?

@poprawa Жыл бұрын

19:16 I had a chance to separate more european, like 50mm exhaust system crimped too much with a plain hammer drill on hammer mode. Just about 10 minutes at full blast was enough C:

@davelowets Жыл бұрын

This is why they make air-chisels. You can get them for like $20

@SupermasiveHole Жыл бұрын

Que bueno..🙇🏻‍♂️🙇🏻‍♂️🙇🏻‍♂️

@sandyv4819 Жыл бұрын

Sssoooo firebird getting a transplant soon? Cause I cant see the 350 going into the blazer cause it has a rebuilt 350.

@handybrito7256 Жыл бұрын

moreee videosssss jajaja

@amaanqureshi1286 Жыл бұрын

commenting for the thingy!1

@brianp6965 Жыл бұрын

If you're still having any exhaust leak issues, the best exhaust manifold/downpipe gasket I've ever used is made by a company called Remflex. They're 100% graphite, and they are designed to squish out considerably. They really do solve leak problems caused by less-than-straight surfaces.

@davelowets Жыл бұрын

Copper gaskets are the best. They NEVER blow out, need replacing, and are reusable. I'm still running the same copper header gaskets that I bought 15 years ago. I've had the engine in and out several times over the years, and the gaskets are still perfect.