454 in Blozer ?
 

I am looking at a 70 4WD Blazer that has a 454 in it. My question is do these bolt right in to the 350 motor mounts? Thats the way it looks, like it came that way. I assume it bolts right up to the automatic tranny. Any problems with this setup? It all looks good and works good. I may buy this truck and either sell the 454 and put a crate 350 in it or ? Anyway just needed an opinion.

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

Have seen several done, the only drawbacks I have heard about are
the dizzy hitting the firewall, and headers can be a pain to fit it, but
I would LUV to have a BB in mine, just not worth the effort for me ;)

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

Hey thanks for the quick reply. Thats kinda what I thought.

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

I'm pretty sure the BB had to be moved to the forward mounting holes. If you go to a 350, you might have to move the engine back, or the tranny forward. Anyone else? Jeff.

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

I put a 402 big block into my 72 K-5. We had to beat on the firewall to get clearence for the valve covers. This is in a 4X4 not a 2X4. The aplications are different. The only other problem I know of is the strength of the small block motor mounts. I have had to change a couple of mine, because the BB has more torque. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

I will look at it closer next time. It looked to me like it fit perfectly.I didn't notice any hammer marks on the firewall. I will look at the mounting location of the motor mounts. Wes what kind of motor mounts did you change to after breaking the stock mounts?

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

Does the Blazer you are looking at have a body lift? That would helf with the firewall clearance issue, although it may not entirely eliminate it.

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

on kinda another note, but with out hi jacking the thread, would you even bother with a bb if you only had a th350 and planned on keeping it :rolleyes:
(not that this is what i'm sayying he's doing, i'm jw for my selF, i wouldnt mind more torque for the highway, but yea, then i'd prob want a 4th)

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

Well it already has a big block in it.l I just put a 700R in my 67 with a 350 stroker and yes I love the gears, But, this Blazer would be geared better than my 67 because of the big tires that I will put on it if I buy it. My 67 has 373 gears and I think the Blazer does also. It would be nice with an overdrive though...

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

Check out how the cross member was modified, there's both good ways and bad ways if you know what I'm saying.

Big blocks fit with some persuasion and make an excellent mod.

The 396 in my 72 K/20 looks great/stock but has very short vale covers on it to clear the firewall.
I'd be S.O.L. if I wanted to go to roller rockers that needed a taller cover...:rolleyes:

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

My son (orangeuavol) used the small block mounts and frame brackets. The exhaust manifolds cleared both sides but we had to notch the firewall for valve covers. Also use a reg point dist. with a Pertonix with a HEI type small cap from MSD that uses HEI type wires to ckear firewall.

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

I have a 402 in my suburban that was built for 450hp.It is hooked to a th350,that was rebuilt.It has about 15k on it without any problems.Of course I am not doing wild burnouts.

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

'Of course I am not doing wild burnouts.'

:lol:

Thanks

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

I looked at this Blazer about 2 months ago and offered the guy $2,000 he told me he had an offer of $2,500 so I thought it sold. well now I see it for sale again! It is really working on me...I will probably have to go and look at it again tomorrow. Its really in pretty good shape as far as rust goes, its in primer and has different seats in it but he has the originals. The original color is blue with a white top,auto and a/c. I had a 1972 CST Blue/white when I went to college about 25 years ago and have wanted one again ever since. So this might be my next project, to go along with my 72 4x4 truck project and my 67 SWB 99% done project... I will let ya know!

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

RShaips, I just replaced them with the stock mounts again. Once I bring it into the shop for it's restoration I will probably go back to a small block. WES

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

what is a Balzer anyway??:lol: :lol: j/k I dont have any good info, but nothing beets the torque of a Big Block.

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

I've got a friend who has a 427 ready to drop in his 70 Blazer. I'm buying his headers for it in trade for his 350. All this info is really good for when we do his. What headers should I get him for clearance & performance? BTW- 4x4 w/350 tranny. Thanks!

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

I have a 402 in my 70 4x4 1/2 ton. Stock 77 454 pickup exhaust manifolds cleared pretty good. The valve covers are from a corvette with the notch for a brake booster which helps with firewall clearance. Stock hei is against the firewall. All sitting in stock location on smallblock mounts. Eric

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

For looks and outright power, you can't beat a big block. However for everyday driving, occasional crusing and reliability, it's hard to beat a strong small block. Cost of parts, perf options, fuel mileage, parts availability, serviciability and handeling all lean towards a good small block. So, if it's a fun toy you want, go with a 454 with some NOS for umph. If you really want a reliable, nice every day driver----go with the small block and "get-er-done"

Re: 454 in Balzer ?
 

:agree: with Huck completely but being I drive a big block as a daily, I'll throw in my .02

Don't be affraid of one as a daily.
Mine starts in below zero temps/runs sweet and it has all the driveability I could ask for.
Being it's a work truck that always runs loaded with a minimum of 600lbs in the bed I couldn't imagine having anything else.