305 SBC Swap

this is wierd every 1 that i know thats done a chevy swap has had 2 cut the fire wall but me??? im using a hei and i've done a 3 1?2'' bdy drop! i got a speedo from from like a 67 chevy caprice cause i was using autometer guages! but like rudy said, it would be a good idea to bring it back like 3-4'' cause i had major cooling issues and i have a big 2 row 1'' alum rad. from summit racing that goes to a chevell. my issue was room for the fan or fans!

the reason i pushed my engine so far back was to be able to close the 2600i hood with the bracing cut out with about a 2 1/2 BD and also for the radiator. I didn't want the engine sticking out the hood or have to get a cowl hood. I'm still running the stock hood latch as well. I'm running a griffin universal radiator and two 10 inch proform pusher fans.

I didnt set my motor back into the firewall and regret it all the time . I am bodydropped 3 or 3 1/4 inches actually had the stock mazda hood closing for awile but added a Cowl Style scoop to the hood . If you choose not to recess it into firewall . The HEI Big Distributor will work fine still . I went with a BECOOL Radiator thats for the S10 V8 Swap . When i had the original Radiator Support i used a 1972 Corvette Radiator i think not certain it cooled motor quite easily though . Also had a Black Magic Electric Fan which had it running in 170-175 range . The benefit of moving Motor back is space up front . Leaving it in stock location allows you to use Stock Tranny Crossmember . Its all preference

i regret not setting it back because i don't heave the room for a blowwer belt.

there is a whole lot of benifits to setting it back besides the cooling system.

how heavy is the steering with a V8 in there?

i could'nt answer that one cuz i've got a HOWE "stock car raceing"(modified type II)power steering pump. works great too.