Helping friend w/'74 Blazer engine swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*Billla* · 08-22-2006, 01:57 PM

Folks, I'm primarily active on the pickup side of the board but a buddy has asked me to help him "recover" from a bad engine swap. Basically, a "friend" of his traded him swapping in a butchered "Corvette" 327 for the stock 454 in his '74 automatic Blazer. Needless to say, it's a mess - welded up PS bracketry, etc. We have the 327 pulled to see what he can get out of it, but he wants to put a mild 454 back in. We're starting to plan that engine build now, seeking a rebuildable core.

I'm completely new to Blazers, so I'd appreciate some broad guidance as well as a few specific answers:

Are Blazers the same as P\U in requiring the proper "towers" for BBC vs. SBC? If so, are the BBC towers available?
I ass*u*me that a different bellhousing/flywheel/starter is required (TH350)?
ALL the bracketry for the alt and PS are missing - is this stuff avail aftermarket either stock or upgraded (March, etc.)
Does any have some good engine bay pictures with a 454 in a 1974 Blazer?
Anything else I should be thinking/worried about?

Thanks, folks. I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions, so I'll thank you in advance for your help!

*Billla* · 09-02-2006, 07:14 PM

ttt

Kinda surpised with the lack of response here...

edman87 · 09-02-2006, 08:11 PM

The blazer is same as truck in everything except rear driveshaft length. Big block or small block both take the same trans, mounted the same way using the same (i think) crossmember. Flywheel is different and starters depend on the year, some are the same, some are different. Best bet for accy brackets is a doner truck. The only thing to be concerned about is a stock th350 holding up to a big block. Th400 would be a much better choice.

*Billla* · 09-03-2006, 02:29 AM

Thanks! Looks lik I'll be building a 383 for him. Would be great to have some underhood pics!

rcbildr · 09-05-2006, 04:12 AM

I have an 84 Burb with a 454 in it. Maybe it will help out a little bit. I'll try to get some pics of it over the next couple days.

A 383 will is an awesome choice for the Blazer too. My friend has a 77 with a 400hp 383 in his K5.

08-22-2006, 01:57 PM	#1
Billla Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 3,815	Helping friend w/'74 Blazer engine swap Folks, I'm primarily active on the pickup side of the board but a buddy has asked me to help him "recover" from a bad engine swap. Basically, a "friend" of his traded him swapping in a butchered "Corvette" 327 for the stock 454 in his '74 automatic Blazer. Needless to say, it's a mess - welded up PS bracketry, etc. We have the 327 pulled to see what he can get out of it, but he wants to put a mild 454 back in. We're starting to plan that engine build now, seeking a rebuildable core. I'm completely new to Blazers, so I'd appreciate some broad guidance as well as a few specific answers: Are Blazers the same as P\U in requiring the proper "towers" for BBC vs. SBC? If so, are the BBC towers available? I assume that a different bellhousing/flywheel/starter is required (TH350)? ALL the bracketry for the alt and PS are missing - is this stuff avail aftermarket either stock or upgraded (March, etc.) Does any have some good engine bay pictures with a 454 in a 1974 Blazer? Anything else I should be thinking/worried about? Thanks, folks. I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions, so I'll thank you in advance for your help! Last edited by Billla; 08-22-2006 at 01:57 PM.

09-02-2006, 07:14 PM	#2
Billla Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 3,815	Re: Helping friend w/'74 Blazer engine swap ttt Kinda surpised with the lack of response here...

09-02-2006, 08:11 PM	#3
edman87 junk collector Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: above Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 693	Re: Helping friend w/'74 Blazer engine swap The blazer is same as truck in everything except rear driveshaft length. Big block or small block both take the same trans, mounted the same way using the same (i think) crossmember. Flywheel is different and starters depend on the year, some are the same, some are different. Best bet for accy brackets is a doner truck. The only thing to be concerned about is a stock th350 holding up to a big block. Th400 would be a much better choice. __________________ '87/89/76 K5 in progress '99 K2500 short crew '91 camaro rs '98 jeep tj '52 willys cj3a

09-03-2006, 02:29 AM	#4
Billla Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 3,815	Re: Helping friend w/'74 Blazer engine swap Thanks! Looks lik I'll be building a 383 for him. Would be great to have some underhood pics!

09-05-2006, 04:12 AM	#5
rcbildr Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Gold Bar, WA Posts: 1,216	Re: Helping friend w/'74 Blazer engine swap I have an 84 Burb with a 454 in it. Maybe it will help out a little bit. I'll try to get some pics of it over the next couple days. A 383 will is an awesome choice for the Blazer too. My friend has a 77 with a 400hp 383 in his K5. __________________ My Projects: 1960 GMC 1/2ton with 305 V6 (daily driver) 1963 Chevy 1/2ton 2wd...converting to 4x4 1967 Suburban 1/2ton 2wd My Girlfriends Projects 1985 Chevy Suburban 3/4ton 4x4 with 6.2L diesel, 4" lift, converted to TH-400, Warn Premium manual hubs, & Wildcat 315/75/R16 tires. (daily driver) 1978 Camaro Type LT with a Marine 350 & vortec heads, Rochester Carb, & roller cam 1978 Camaro Z28 Last edited by rcbildr; 09-05-2006 at 04:14 AM.

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