Does anyone know of a well documented build thread installing a small block chevy, with lots of pictures? Also, my SBC's oil dipstick hole is located on the drivers left of the engine (if it were mounted in like a truck or something), therefore it is against the firewall in the fiero. I can't even get the dipstick in and out... has anyone had this problem? How can I solve it? Thanks. -Mark

quote Originally posted by V8IndyProject: Does anyone know of a well documented build thread installing a small block chevy, with lots of pictures?

i seem to recall that V8 Archie has a VHS tape you can buy for about $15.

quote Originally posted by V8IndyProject: Also, my SBC's oil dipstick hole is located on the drivers left of the engine (if it were mounted in like a truck or something), therefore it is against the firewall in the fiero. I can't even get the dipstick in and out... has anyone had this problem? How can I solve it? Thanks. -Mark

there were a few years that GM had the dipstick on the right side of the block. Who knows why.
but since you already have your SBC in a fiero, you need to pickup a "target" oil pan.
And then talk to a really old engine machinist, so he can find you an oil dipstick adapter block.

not 100% on this, but I believe that the right side dipstick started with the roller motors. I think 89 was the beginning year for that.

87+ I think is when they phased in roller lifters, and some other stuff. My 2 piece rear 383 (in my boat) has the dipstick on the left side, as well.

Have you started or just putting together parts?
Here is a document from Archie's site.
Right click and save
I have a SBC in my Fiero installed using an Archie kit. It was second hand but I did move it from one car to another.
If you have any specific questions I can try to help.

The dipstick was moved to the passenger side when the SBC went to the 1 piece rear main seal in 86 (and the casting revision for the roller cam - even though most were not machined to accept the roller cams until 87 for cars and later for trucks).

There are a couple of options.
Find a slightly longer dipstick/tube that has the grip end above the valve cover. Vans had really long dipstick tubes.
You can buy an oil pan that has the dipstick tube going directly into the pan on the passenger side (or modify an existing pan for the passenger side dip stick).

I have one of those 1 piece seal ('86 and newer) blocks sitting on an engine stand out in my shop. It came out of a one ton van. It has a pan on it that allows for the dipstick to go on either side. Maybe you could pick up one of these at the local pick and pull.

The dipstick moved to the passenger side on the 2 piece rear main seal blocks in 1980. The switch to a 1 piece rear main seal happened in 1986.

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1986 SE 350 V8

Thanks for the information. My engine is an '87 (or so I was told anyway) it came from a chevy C60 flatbed truck. I bought archie's kit, so I have the video and everything, but its not the best quality, and I would just like to have pictures of everything. -Mark

Here's a good thread:

//www.fiero.nl/forum/A...041015-1-021178.html

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1986 SE 350 V8

quote Originally posted by tesmith66: The dipstick moved to the passenger side on the 2 piece rear main seal blocks in 1980. The switch to a 1 piece rear main seal happened in 1986.

That's right, I forgot about that change in 1980...

Could you possibly use a flexible dipstick from summit??