Jeff Smith's Garage Big Block Chevrolet Engine Combos

Jeff Smith, former Editor in Chief of Hot Rod and Car Craft Magazines discussed his favorite engine component combinations for the Big Block Chevy engine. With a focus on a high horsepower street-based engine, these tips can he helpful to anyone looking to build one of these classic engines.

[johnweaver]

I've had my 68 Camaro with a 396 for almost 30 years puts a smile on my face every time I open the 4 barrels keep the big block videos coming

[gregbowen]

Gotta love the big block chevy! Running a 555ci, Brodix BB2 heads, edelbrock rolling thunder, 248/256 duration 632/648 lift. 11" vacuum, manley crank and rods, mahle 10.5 pistons. Runs on pump gas and drive it all the time. Fun to drive!!

[moporridge]

Thanx Jeff, im adding that same cam to the 461 in my 72 ss elky. Thank You for the years of enjoyment ! I grew up in the 80’s as a teen with your contributions to Hot Rodding !

[matthewthorcherry]

I’d definitely like to see more big block videos, I highly enjoy the content! I always check in to see if you post any “new” and haven’t seen any. It would be nice to see you do a series of engine builds step by step, 👍🏻🏁

[larryanderson]

Thanks Jeff, picked up a BBC core motor dirt cheap and my 10 year old son is stoked about seeing how things come and go together. Looking forward to future videos

[chevyx]

Hi Jeff .! Love the video.. the explanation of the parts was very well done..
Man . I have a 468 /400 combo.
3400 stall
Ford 9” n cased 31 mosers tru trac and 3:25 gear set .

All marketplace bought and
built for best dollar invested…
The torque of these big blocks .. is really awesome. Timing flow and well ..
Purple octane.. makes it that much more fun.
The best of torque
1:1 at
45 mph with thrush mufflers …
Sounds of a 9ft horse galloping down the road .. feather pedal.
The oval ported head at 4500 and up insane..
My stock shifting 1-2 killed its run .
4200 stock shift . Dropped her right down .
5200-5500 is the happy spot on this set up.

[judylefevers]

Great insight from years of experance. Keep it coming Jeff, I'll be watching. Mike LeFevers

[lessimpson]

You popped up in my feed as I was searching for tips on a BBC I want for a corvette project. Thank you for the plain speak. I’ve subscribed.

[cap]

9:30 Right, if you have deep pockets, sure you can do it. In the end, I have a bare basic 454 bored .60 over to 468. A pair of oval port 781 heads and a mild cam. A performer dual plane intake and a 750 dual feed double pumper. It makes 550 ft. lbs. of torque at 4200 rpm and 500 hp at 5700. All on pump gas. As cheap as you can. No high cost roller shit. It's more money than you need to spend for the same result.

[djrowe]

Never seen your channel or videos before but the YouTube algorithm randomly brought this video up. I sub'd now. Thanks for sharing your BBC build info.

[MagaRickn]

Good video! Trying to build my 427 back for my 56 Chevy. Starting over from scratch. :) I'm in my 70's, so I hope this is the last time I have to do this. ;)

[billysandoval]

Very glad I ran across this video I have a 427 T bbc and ive been looking for recommendations for my combination heads/cam/ intake/ rotating assembly. If anyone has any experience I’d appreciate the guidance!

[jonsabo]

I'm building an oval port 68 396, 500- 540 hp. Good info right there.

[iamthesoulsaver]

Just found you're channel 👍 like it.

[tomhurley]

I have a comp cam magnum hf 286 its 236/236 @ .050 .555 lift with 1.72 rockers seems very similar to the roller cam he recommends idles at 800 rpm 11 hg of vac at idle 12 13 at a fast idle off idle power with a 2600 stall converter pulls to 6200. power brakes w/ vac can work great heavy car with ac been in car for years very reliable.if your on a budget and your first big block use this cam..

[thereluctantgearhead]

Couldn't help but notice that this video about bigblock Chevy combos has 50, 000 views, and the video next to it about LS combos has 2700 views. That says alot despite popular opinion. And yes, that cam suggestion is pretty weak. Bigblocks like big cams, big heads, big carbs & intakes and big compression. If your gonna take the weight penalty of using a bigblock Chevy, it better make some serious power to justify it. A mild bigblock is a waste of a beast of an engine just waiting to be unleashed. MK4 BB Chevy was based on a NASCAR engine from 63. So it was born to run.

[mikef-gidg]

I like it. Jeff Smith articles seemed to be right on point as well. I have a couple of big block 402 engines, I know they are not 454's but I am going to use them any way...in a street in my 78 Malibu and my 68 impala. I would like to see some combo ideas.

[yaddi]

Good info. I bought a 84 c10 with a 454 +.030 over, icon pistons and a summit 1796 cam. I think it has stock iron 718 heads and stock springs, rockers etc. Holley 750 double pumper on top of a TSP air gap intake and a TH400, spin tech pro street 9000 mufflers. Runs smooth, sounds badass and fun but is lacking true HP. What should I do? I want a street 600hp motor.

[steveduleck]

Hi Jeff, Can you do a video on BBC Gen V, VI heads on a mark IV block? Talking about the series and parallel flow of the blocks, heads and gaskets. Thanks

[bigbeardodge]

Back in the day what size tires and rally wheels did you run on your high school chevelle?