I have a 72 twenty two foot Barth. It is the one shown with the land sailor. I'm thinking that I might swap out the 350 to put a 454 in. Has anyone ever done this? I guess that you might have to take it out the front. The transmission is a three speed automatic and would I have to change that also? Do you guys think this would be a good move? The only problem I have now is some of the hills slow it down a little. It also heats up, although from suggestions off this web site I'm getting a handle on that problem. Thanks Dave for the web site and hang in there. Dennis

At 22 feet, you should be OK with a small block unless you tow a toad or really heavy boat.

Do you need a rebuild or just more power?

If your engine is sound, an Edelbrock Performer manifold and Thorley headers would be the most cost-effective way to go. A good carb rebuild from C&J engineering in Whittier is really worth the money, especially if you do the manifold and header thing. An MSD 6A with the timing control will let you adjust timing for maximum power depending on heat, load, hills, and quality of gas.

A 454 or 502 would fit, but you would need all the brackets, etc, but the block would bolt in OK. You would need a bigger radiator for the big block. But you might need one anyway. I like the Desert Cooler from

http://www.usradiator.com/default.htm

As for your overheating, does your fan ROAR when the engine gets hot? If not, you need a new clutch. They fail gradually.

A TH400 is a must with a moho. Aside from being tougher, it has a second gear that is closer to high, making it more useful up the hills. A Gear Vendors OD will help either large or small block engine. Second OD really makes the hills flatter.

A lot of this depends on your tolerance for going up the hills more slowly. If you love power, go for an HT502 crate motor from Chevy. That is what I stuck in my 30 tag.

DO not even consider removing the front for engine removal. Ask Dave. I dropped my engine out the bottom. Details on request.

Would you be building or buying the engine? Doing your own work or hiring?

I like the 383 small block, whether you buy it or build it. It is essentially a 350 with a 400 crank and rods. The 400 small block has siamese bores hence poor cooling in heavy duty service.

http://www.greenwoodchevy.com/engine16.htm

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/66278/index.html

http://www.psiflex.com/ss/engine.htm

I believe PAW sells a crate or kit 383, but you really need their catalog, as their site is not good.

https://secure.pawengineparts.com/partsorderform.htm


And, of course, a set of Thorley headers. Don't listen to Hot Rod types and buy too much cam.

When we were stuck in Marathon, Ontario with a bad wheel bearing, this guy told me that he had max'd his 350 Pick Up out with headers, exhaust and ram air kit. He felt his 350 could bury my 454. I don't know but it sure was a great sounding pick up truck.

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