I was wondering if anyone can tell me how hard it is to swap a OHC 6 to a 400. The 400 came out of a 79 Friebird. I can get everything from the fan to the transmission. Do I need to switch the front suspension as in the pitman arm and idler arms? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

i dont think you have to change the steering, but i've never seriously considered taking out my ohc6.
i know you have to change the m.mount brackets.
i hope you're not planning on junking the ohc.

I changed my firebird from OHC to a 68 400. I don't know if the mounts on the late model 400 is different. Things that you will have to change:

1 Motor mount brackets are different.
2 Coil springs are different from OHC to V8
3 Fuel line needs to be routed to drivers side.
4 Positive battery cable needs to be routed to drivers side.
5 Other bugs I can't think of right now. Guaranteed.

I'm sure you will be changing transmissions too, which adds a couple more logs to the fire.

In my case, it was alot of work but well worth it in the end.

I kept my OHC. Doubt I use it again, but could put mine to original if desired.

I HAVE A COMPLETE 400 FRONT FRAME AS A SPARE

Pyro is right...
Engine Mounts, Front Springs, A few wires need to be re-routed, Battery cable to the starter etc... Fuel line. the Radiator is a major one, (Tranny crossmember depending on the tranny and if you swap etc... then perhaps drive shaft at that point?)

Otherwise the front suspension and sterring will all be fine. Depending on the exhaust you use, you may have to get a curved pitman arm, but not usually.

That's about all I can remember having to do. But then I got into re-routing the wiring to make it all look really good, and hidden etc... then had to sell the car for college... DOH!

Good luck - Brett! - 67 Drop Top 455!

Brett, What type of exhaust are you talking about? If I use headers, do I need the curved pitman arm?

sorry about the short note kid dropped a glass
and all hell broke loose what i have is complete
frame, 400 mounts, springs, curved pitman, with box
power steering, a frames, all steering linkage which
can be broken down or ship the entire clip on a
pallet just let me know

ps drum brakes
thanks bill

fld68ohc
Brett, What type of exhaust are you talking about? If I use headers, do I need the curved pitman arm?

You should be ok in that case. I know a few that have the straight arm with headers and no problems. One now has the straight ar because his broke, come to find out it had been broken before, and was welded (with out proper penitration) (no comments Q!) and the weld broke... luckily while he was parking the car!

Anyway, you should be ok. But if you find a curved one, it wouldn't hurt.

Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!