Thread: SB distributor won't fit

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I've had a lot of BIG things happening to me lately but now I'm back to working on the car some, it feels good! The tranny mount was bad and that helped put everything back where it should be. However, HEI distributor still doesn't fit so I'm buying one from DUI, thank you Glenn. To make a short story longer, I removed the stock 6 cylinder and put in an ATK 350 long block which means I need everything that bolts on to this engine. I've got the intake, 600 or 650 carb and manifold, Patriot headers from Summit, and mechanical fuel pump kit with actuating rod and plate from Speedway Motors. So far so good. One of my old neighbors gave me a dipstick and tube but it seems to be just a hair too big to tap in. My question is should I grind or file it down to make it snug or look for something else? Of course the oil level is very important! Full disclosure, I've worked on foreign cars and other mechanical "stuff" but have zero experience on V8's!
I will also be needing to order a radiator and shroud, (I have the stock 6 cylinder radiator that would need to be gone thru if you guys think that's better than the new stuff), water pump, harmonic balancer and pulleys etc. so again, bare with me and be nice! I'm bound to be asking a lot of stupid questions in the future. Thanks in advance for any advice, Steven

Good luck with the dizzy. While I have zero experience with the dui products I don’t think it’s any smaller, narrower. But I could be all wet. I think you’re going to select a radiator based the application, at least to start the search anyway, things like having air conditioning will need to be considered of course. And as always-the only foolish question is the one that you don’t ask!

Like Mike/34_40 I have no direct experience with DUI distributors but I trust Glenn's experience. Their TriPower setup (which Glenn Recommended) looks to be OEM pre-HEI size.
For your radiator, the old six cylinder radiator won't work well for the V8, and like Mike says especially if you install A/C. It just doesn't have enough volume to handle the added heat load.
On your dipstick, be sure that you got the matched tube & stick for the level measurement to be right. You don't say if the unit your neighbor gave you is an old OEM piece or aftermarket, but they need to match. Some of the OEM units are really tight in the block, but they also are just thin sheet metal without much extra meat to grind/file. What type of dipstick/tube are you dealing with?

It is a new aftermarket one, new, but not packaged. It came with the dipstick. Chrome, about 7 1/2" long with a bend in it.

Another question, I was told this engine takes 6 quarts of oil. Is that correct? It's a remanufactured 350 with stock pan.

Originally Posted by Grandpa830

Another question, I was told this engine takes 6 quarts of oil. Is that correct? It's a remanufactured 350 with stock pan.

If using stock oil pan the capacity is 4 quarts plus 1 for the filter. Five quarts is pretty standard for initial fill. Don't overfill as the crankshaft hitting the oil reservoir will cause foaming in the oil which can be disastrous as the pump is designed to move liquid - not gaseous material. Too much oil can actually ruin an engine as the pump is not supplying enough oil (in liquid form) to essential bearing surfaces.

I would also just add that after the initial fire up and run don't be surprised to find you're about 1/2 quart low on oil. This is due to the oil collecting in areas that won't drain back.......commonly, clinging to the internal surfaces and in areas like the lifter valley, lower edge of the heads and a little bit that is below the the level of the drain plug hole. This is pretty normal and not something to get concerned.....top it off and enjoy. Of course on any fresh engine you do want to keep an eye on all the fluids and address any leaks.



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Awesome, I will put 5 quarts in when the time comes. I've always used Valvoline, what viscosity would be recommended for So.Cal.?, and thanks again