55 chevy 3100 big block

I have a 55 chevy 3100 with a 78 nova front stub will a big block with hei clear the firewall? Thanks in advance. Chris  

My 2 cents. I haven't done it as yet to a 55,but I just stripped down my truck with the Nova front,I could have got a measurement from the spare 454 I have. I suspect it would fowl if you use the original mounts on the Nova front.I notice not a lot of people do it, maybe it is for this reason. You will probably have to move the mounts sightly forward until the oil pan sits close to the cross member and use a short pump and possible have to use thermo fans.  

Actually between finding another 2 cents and a brain fart, I'll add this for some thought.
 Now I am not exactly clued up on the exact differences in the steering of the later Nova whether it is the same as the Camero which has the steering in front of the crossmember.The thing is. Is the steering mechanism in front of the crossmember or behind. Now if it is behind ( maybe mine is a earlier Nova) (been dealing tooooo many Holdens in my life) you will definitely have problems moving the motor forward, the chances are you will fowl the steering. If this does happen you can change the steering to the front of the crossmember by using S10 spindles and rack and pinion.  

I thought S-10s were recirculating-ball not R&P. I have a 2000 S-10 and it's power recirc-ball. Unisteer makes a kit to hang R&P on an S-10.  

Actually you are right, I meant to say to put in the rack and pinion kit.  

John!  I just checked online with Unisteer trying to find the kit to hang Rack&Pinion on an S-10 , and couldn't find it. Is this something really new? I'd be interested to find some more info on this.  

Yep, its brand-new. We're doing one in a '40 Willys Gasser pickup with an S-10 chassis. I'll get the skinny on it and let you know.