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ENGINE DIMENSIONS FOR THE ENGINE SWAPPER

Hot Rod Magazine
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NUMBERS GAME - Hot Rod Oct 77, pg 77

A list of those important figures on sizes and weights of popular engines to aid the aspiring engine swapper.

When planning an engine swap, it is essential to have specific information regarding the engine you plan to use in order to determine if it will physically fit. Consequently, we've compiled what amounts to the most comprehensive listing of engine dimensions and weights ever published in any one magazine. We've tried to include all of the popular American engines ( plus a few oddballs ) frequently selected for swapping in street, rodding and racing applications. If you haven't yet selected an engine for a particular swap, this chart might guide you to a comparatively inexpensive, less-popular engine that will fit equally well.

The dimensions given are for an average engine of the make and size listed; however, it must be remembered that intake and exhaust manifold variations on the same engine in different years or within different car lines may result in slight variations. Similarly, the dimensions given are overall measurements, including such things as air cleaners, oil filters, water pump fans, etc, but bell housings have not been included in the length. Therefore, replacing such things as the air cleaner, substituting headers for the stock manifolds, using an electric fuel or water pump and remote locating of the oil filter will allow most of these engine to fit in even smaller spaces. Additionally, oil pan depth and sump location may vary. For example, small block Chevrolet V8 engines have been built for over 20 years, featuring low-rise and high-rise intake manifolds, a variety of air cleaner heights, different oil filter locations and different pan depths, and the pan sump was even located at the front of the engine on some Chevy II models. But generally speaking, this chart should help you stay in the ballpark.

ENGINE Displacement Max.
Width
Length Height Oil
Sump
Starter Weight
AMC 6 232, 258 24" 35" 29" Rear Left 440
AMC V8 290, 304, 360, 390, 401 25 ½" 29 ¼" 29 ½" Rear Right 540
Chevy 6 194, 230, 250 23 ½" 32 ½" 28" Rear Right 410
Buick V6 198, 225, 231 26" 23" 28 ½" Middle Right 400
Buick V6 Turbo 231 30" 23" 30" Middle Right 430
BOP V8 Alum 215 26" 28" 27" Rear Right 320
Buick SB V8 350 28 ½" 30 ½" 28 ½" Rear Right 450
Buick Nailhead V8 401, 425 28" 33 ½" 29" Rear Right 650
Buick BB V8 400, 430, 455 28" 30" 30" Rear Right 600
Cadillac V8 472, 500 28" 30 ½" 28" Middle Right 600
Chevy 4 153 23 ½" 23 ½" 28" Rear Right 365
Chevy Vega 4 140 ( 2.3L ) 24 ½" 27 ½" 29" Rear Right 300
Chevy Vega 4 122 ( 2.0L ) 25" 27 ½" 25 ½" Rear Right 270
Corvair 6 145 28 ½" 30" 18" Middle Right 350
Chevy 90° V6 200 26" 24" 27" Rear Right 400
Chevy SB V8 262, 265, 283, 302, 305, 307, 327, 350, 400 26" 28" 27" Rear Right 575
Chevy BB V8 348, 409 28 ½" 34 ½" 32" Rear Right 685
Chevy BB V8 396, 402, 427, 454 28" 30 ½" 29" Rear Right 685
Ford 4 122 ( 2.0L ) 17" 23 ½" 25" Front Right 285
Ford 4 140 ( 2.3L ) 18" 23 ½" 25 ½" Front Right 320
Ford 6 144, 250 22" 31" 28" Middle Right 400
Ford 6 240, 300 22" 32" 28" Middle Right 400
Ford Flathead V8 221, 255 24" 30" 26" Rear Left 450
Ford Windsor V8 221, 260, 289, 302, 351 24" 29" 27 ½" Front Right 460
Ford Y Block V8 272, 292, 312 28" 29" 29" Front Right 625
Ford Boss V8 302 24" 29" 29" Front Right 500
Ford Cleveland V8 351 24 ½" 29" 28 ½" Front Right 550
Ford 335 V8 351, 400 26" 28" 28 ½" Front Right 575
Ford FE V8 332, 352, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428 27" 32" 29" Front Right 625
Ford SOHC V8 427 32" 34" 30" Front Right 680
Ford 385 V8 429, 460 27" 30" 29" Front Right 720
Ford Boss V8 429 28" 34" 30" Front Right 635
Mopar 6 170, 198, 225 * 30" 28" Middle Left 475
Mopar A-Block V8 273, 318, 340, 360 24" 29" 27" Front Left 550
Mopar B-Block V8 361, 383, 400, 413, 426, 440 29 ½" 30" 29" Front Left 670
Mopar Early Hemi V8 331, 354, 392 29" 31" 31" Front Left 765
Mopar Late Hemi V8 426 29" 32" 31" Middle Left 690
Oldsmobile SB V8 260, 330, 350, 403 26" 28" 27 ½" Rear Left 560
Oldsmobile Early BB V8 303, 394 30" 32" 29" Rear Left 700
Oldsmobile Late BB V8 400, 425, 455 25 ½" 31" 29" Rear Left 620
Pontiac 4 153 25" 27 ¼" 26" Rear Right 350
Pontiac OHC 6 250 21 ½" 33" 27 ½" Rear Left 495
Pontiac SB V8 301 25 ¼" 32" 30" Rear Right 475
Pontiac BB V8 326, 350, 389, 400, 428, 455 25 ½" 32" 30" Rear Left 640
This article was supplied to Team Buick, thanks to Austrian455 and bob k. mando.