Hey all and please help lol

[Booyah45828]

If you have the skills, tools, and space, anything is possible. Definitely something worth considering because even when working correctly some of those older brakes still weren't worth a crap compared to modern systems. Plus you could then get a better axle ratio, more commonly available wheel options, etc.

Most engines would have an air compressor as part of the options package, and if they didn't, you could always fab up a belt driven compressor.

It'd be best to get a wrecked bus/truck/flatbed and then steal the parts off of it. Buying the components individually would likely be pretty costly, and you'd then have to have pretty good working knowledge of which hoses you need and where they need to go, whereas a donor would be more plug and play.

[BeNimble]

I have a 72 GMC 5500 truck, aka Chevy C50. The V8 should be a 366, but mine had a later model 305 V6, because well its a 72 unlikely its stock. That motor looks like the common sbc 350 v8.
It probably has the same "widow maker" split rims mine had, but if you plan to make it parked tiny house and not actually travel with it, should be ok.

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Keep in mind this is a Canadian bus, likely built differently.

[THCrinstam]

Bus delivery has been delayed til early next week.

Now I'm going to go back and read what you are trying to do to my bus, I saw something about swapping axles on the way to post this lol

[THCrinstam]

Okay caught up now. I was actually thinking about doing an air system in the bus without the brake issue, although the idea of swapping axles out and installing air-brakes? 99% sure that is out of the question for us.

Until the bus gets here, too much of this is just theory, thinking about it will drive me nuts lol

On the ID the motor part, have MorTec.com bookmarked, any reason the other one would be better?

[peteg59]

Big block V8 GM will have 7 bolts holding the valve covers on.
Small block of that era will have 4.

With others, thinking that's a small block in your bus.

Hope all goes well in taking possession of your bus...

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

i cant remember exact location but the firing order will be cast onto the intake manifold
but if it is a 350 and if i remember correctly?
the firing order is 18436752

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223

i cant remember exact location but the firing order will be cast onto the intake manifold
but if it is a 350 and if i remember correctly?
the firing order is 18436752

That firing order is pretty typical of 99% of Chevrolet V8, though. Doesn't differentiate a tall deck 427 from a 283 or most of the others. Casting number will tell the tale.

[THCrinstam]

If it was easy, everyone would do it lol

[one_eyed_jack]

So, the reason it looks like a small block is because that's exactly what it is. Unless I miss my guess, it is likely a 327 truck engine, common for that era.
Those(Ram'sHorn)exhaust manifolds alone, are worth more than the bus. They are/were, highly sought after in the hot rod world! Because of their shape, they flow nearly as good as headers.

[one_eyed_jack]

On second thought, those might even be (CamelHump) cylinder heads on that engine which are/were worth even more! DO NOT scrap that engine before checking it out thoroughly even if it does not run, even if it is seised solid for that matter.

[THCrinstam]

Originally Posted by one_eyed_jack

So, the reason it looks like a small block is because that's exactly what it is. Unless I miss my guess, it is likely a 327 truck engine, common for that era.
Those(Ram'sHorn)exhaust manifolds alone, are worth more than the bus. They are/were, highly sought after in the hot rod world! Because of their shape, they flow nearly as good as headers.

Worth more than the bus is both very subjective and not really hard if we're judging value by what I paid. lol

Is that like, if I need to replace them, I'm screwed, or more of, if I have to replace the motor, I should sell them?

[THCrinstam]

Originally Posted by one_eyed_jack

On second thought, those might even be (CamelHump) cylinder heads on that engine which are/were worth even more! DO NOT scrap that engine before checking it out thoroughly even if it does not run, even if it is seised solid for that matter.

Okay, well, on that then we're back to waiting til it's here.

I think I mentioned it earlier, but in case I didn't. The engine isn't seized. It was supposed to have been running (and driving) up until someone cut the distributer wires when it was parked for camping, which was last year, at least I think that was the story lol. There doesn't seem to be anything missing or broken besides the wires. One rear wheel seized while sitting over the last year. How badly, I don't know. No clue if its a brake issue or what. I fully expect to get the motor running again, if the seller was being honest about it all, which at the moment, I have no reason to doubt... lol besides paranoia of course.

Just an update on that whole... delivery, issue. I'm just waiting for a new date to get it moved. I hope it will be in the next few days, but I really have no clue.

[one_eyed_jack]

So, I've done a little research, and, I missed my guess! From what I found, the 327 was used till 69 when it was replaced with the 350.

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by CHEESE_WAGON

Also of note are the 305 V-6 / 351 V-8 / 702 V-12 gassers GMC built in that era. All likely candidates for a cool and easy swap.

I bought a truck for my Dad years ago with the 305 v-6. Chevy cab over with a flatbed, we added a tag axle. Ran forever with no trouble, but had no power to speak of, slowest truck I have driven.



The V-12 is not going to fit. Saw one in a museum that was not original, and they built out a doghouse to make room for it. Oh I bet it sounded good though. Search youtube there are some videos of V-12's running.

[THCrinstam]

I should have some more pics and any of the numbers I can find tomorrow by 1 or so and the bus should be sitting here by 4 or 5.

[Mekanic]

Yes it is a SBC For Sure. There is NO WAY it has camel hump heads, it will have a lower compression ratio that ANY SBC car engine. (if its not a car engine swapped in)
What ever you end up doing to it, Do NOT install a 400SBC in a vehicle that size. GM did put 327-350s in these. along with 366-427. Never did they put 400s or 454s because they will Not keep cool enough on very long pulls. The same it true of the Later GM trucks. You can a get a 6.2L in a 1500 but not a 2500 or larger truck.
These MD industrial engines are usually about 7.5 to 1 compression and have much larger exh manifolds than cars and pickups.

[THCrinstam]

Okay, I won't be checking any numbers tonight, but!!!! That is the bus beside our house now.

[THCrinstam]

Oh and actually I heard a different story today than the one I... 'thought' I remembered from last time...

The bus hasn't run in likely 7 or 8 years... not a year as I thought I was told last time.

The rear tire is not seized, none of them are. Something in the tranny is locked though. With the clutch engaged, the tires turn fine.

[peteg59]

I realize you mentioned earlier that the engine wasn't seized.

While its possible something in the trans has failed, I would double check the engine's rotation by hand.

As long as it turns over that way, since it has now been found to be "sitting" 7~8 years, I'd highly recommend removing the spark plugs and squirting some Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders. Let it sit 24 hours or so, and then try turning it over on the starter to more evenly distribute the lubrication in the cylinders.

If the trans is truly locked up, unfortunately a teardown is in order.

Glad to see you actually have it now. Good luck on your new project, and post up pics as you go...