March 2022 ToTM

[Palf70Step]

For our March 2022 Truck of the Month (ToTM) contest the theme is

Humungousaur

In case you are challenged, this means BIG BLOCK power. To compete in this month’s contest, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• Open to all years and models of Trucks, Blazers, Suburbans, Tahoes, Yukons, and Jimmys.
• It must be powered by a gasoline powered GM Big Blocks. This not only includes our loveable Chevy big block, but those by Caddy, Olds, Buick, and Pontiac.!
• The nominee must be a board member and the current owner of the truck.
• The must be together and able to move on its own power.
• If a truck was selected as a 2021 or 2022 ToTM winner then you are ineligible. If the truck was nominated but not selected as a ToTM winner then it may be nominated and compete in this month's category.

To Nominate:

You or someone else may nominate the vehicle. The nominee must be a board member and the current owner of the truck. Once you decide on who you wish to nominate, just add your nomination to this thread. We will need two pictures minimum, at least one full view of the vehicle and one showing the engine. In addition, we will need the owner’s board name and the Make/Model/Year of vehicle.

Nominations will run through February 21. The first 15 nominees that meet the criteria will participate in the contest We will need two pictures minimum (at least one full view of the vehicle) with/for the nomination as well as the owner’s board name, the Make/Model/Year of vehicle. I will PM the nominees to get any additional data or pictures if they have not already been provided. If the owner has a preferred picture they want used in the contest, please let me know in a PM. You can PM me for an e-mail address in case anyone has problems resizing the pictures for the board. A Poll Thread will be set up February 22 in this board area and an announcement will be posted on the Discussion Boards to notify all that voting has begun. The Poll will run thru the morning of March 1 and the official announcement of the winner will be on the evening of March 1. The announcement of the ToTM winner will be posted through the General Discussion Board area.

[P7M89MM]

I'll nominate my 71 Cheyenne. zz502 big block. RideTech air.

[OutlawM92]

I'll throw in my 1981 Chevy C20 cclb
454

[RenoKeene]

Rose is a factory big block..

[72c20customcamper]

Hoping to see a v6 in the mix someone has to have one on the board

[mongocanfly]

Regan Wilson

[sick472]

I'll throw my truck in. I've been waiting to participate in the ToTM.

72 C10 Deluxe, with a Pontiac 400/THM400.

Sick472

[5Tractorguy]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

Hoping to see a v6 in the mix someone has to have one on the board

Just so happens...

I'll toss in my 1961 GMC 5000 into the mix...

351 V6, 5spd main, 3spd aux, 2spd rear.

[raylube]

I 'll nominate My 65 gmc with Cadillac 472

[special-K]

I'm seeing more than big blocks here. When you are talking GM and big block you are talking Chevy big block V8, 366 to 454 and bigger versions of that block. The Chevy and V8 are assumed. The other GM engines came in one block size/different cubic inches, including the GMC V6. These other engines are big compared to a small block (need I even say V8?), but only came in one size block. There is no small block in comparison, built at the same time. The terms "small block" and "big block" exist because there are two block size families to differentiate between, BBC and SBC.

[3757chevy]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

For our March 2022 Truck of the Month (ToTM) contest the theme is

Humungousaur

In case you are challenged, this means BIG BLOCK power. To compete in this month’s contest, you will need to meet the following criteria: [LIST][*]Open to all years and models of Trucks, Blazers, Suburbans, Tahoes, Yukons, and Jimmys.[*]It must be powered by a gasoline powered GM Big Blocks. This not only includes our loveable Chevy big block, but those by Caddy, Olds, Buick, and Pontiac.![*]The nominee must be a board member and the current owner of the truck.[*]The must be together and able to move on its own power.[*]If a truck was selected as a 2021 or 2022 ToTM winner then you are ineligible. If the truck was nominated but not selected as a ToTM winner then it may be nominated and compete in this month's category.

Originally Posted by special-K

I'm seeing more than big blocks here. When you are talking GM and big block you are talking Chevy big block V8, 366 to 454 and bigger versions of that block. The Chevy and V8 are assumed. The other GM engines came in one block size/different cubic inches, including the GMC V6. These other engines are big compared to a small block (need I even say V8?), but only came in one size block. There is no small block in comparison, built at the same time. The terms "small block" and "big block" exist because there are two block size families to differentiate between, BBC and SBC.

Bill said it in the OP "This not only includes our loveable Chevy big block, but those by Caddy, Olds, Buick, and Pontiac.!" But you make a point about other GM being Small displacement BIG blocks. I'm waiting for an Olds powered square body Or a Buick powered ?

[ShortHaul]

I’ll throw this ol beauty in the mix. 454 Cubic Inches, and about 454 acres of sheet metal too!

[special-K]

Originally Posted by 3757chevy

Bill said it in the OP "This not only includes our loveable Chevy big block, but those by Caddy, Olds, Buick, and Pontiac.!" But you make a point about other GM being Small displacement BIG blocks. I'm waiting for an Olds powered square body Or a Buick powered ?

Ok, I see that now. Sorry and don't let this bungle up the contest. If Bill allowed for "BOP Blocks" then that's how it is in this contest. I guess this includes the 292, since those truly are big block straight 6s, even though you don't hear them referred to that way.

It is an age old discussion, or argument, that there is only one big block in the GM family. You have to have a small block to compare to in order to have a big block.

I love Pontiacs and would love to put one in my '67 GMC. But the 326 uses the same block as the 455. I'd want people to think my '67 had a 389 but would likely wind up with a more common displacement dressed to appear as one.

[sick472]

Originally Posted by special-K

...But the 326 uses the same block as the 455. I'd want people to think my '67 had a 389 but would likely wind up with a more common displacement dressed to appear as one.

Spot on Special-K,

Should you go with a Pontiac in your GMC...the 400 block is the most available AND is the most popular to stroke. Modern forged crank designs allow for that 400 to be reliably stroked to tremendous cubes while keeping the smaller crank journals (compared to the larger journals of the 455)...this equals an engine with high output, modern crank strength, and higher available RPM's. This approach (stroked or not) can look almost exactly like a 389, excepting casting numbers.

It's a very common thought that Pontiacs are big blocks since the 455 "sounds" like a big block and the 389 & 400 are the same block casting. The 326 usually falsely carries the small block stigma, but, as mentioned, is the same casting too. The kicker is that they are all designed more like a big block for durability when compared to other GM small blocks of similar bore and stroke. I believe there are differences between the 326, 389, 400, 421, 428, & 455 blocks. They are the same external dimensions, but the inner wall casting thickness can vary from size to size depending on the cylinder bore.

I'm not picking sides here, just glad to throw some Pontiac info out and glad to join a ToTM!

[Palf70Step]

The idea was big CID, but for the Pontiacs, the 421, 428 and 455 are different than the 400 and below. Crank is different and far as I know/been told the cranks do not interchange.


Now back to the contest!

[3757chevy]

Originally Posted by special-K

Ok, I see that now. Sorry and don't let this bungle up the contest. If Bill allowed for "BOP Blocks" then that's how it is in this contest. I guess this includes the 292, since those truly are big block straight 6s, even though you don't hear them referred to that way.

Well ...just for sake of argument how about the straight eight , that's big . JK

[D.B]

Here is my 72 C20 with a 511cid Gen V big block.

[sick472]

Beautiful truck DB! That's the same color combo mine was originally...brings back memories...thanks for joining the ToTM.

[regan wilson]

Originally Posted by sick472

Beautiful truck DB! That's the same color combo mine was originally...brings back memories...thanks for joining the ToTM.

I agree. I was just looking at it this morning. Of course you know I like the fact that It's over 500 inches. And stock valve covers! I love factory BBC valve covers painted or chrome.

[regan wilson]

Originally Posted by raylube

I 'll nominate My 65 gmc with Cadillac 472

I'd drive the wheels off of the thing. I just kinda giggle looking at it. I think you need to name it after this thread. Houmonga whatever

[D.B]

Thanks Guys,
I originally wanted to build a 496 but a friend of mine who always has to one up me bought one. So when I was telling Max Long (RIP) at Long Racing Engines in Irving about it he said lets build it to a 511. I was worried about the cost and Max said it was only $50.00 difference. So he supplied the Eagle Rotating assembly which has a 4.375 stroke crank, H-Beam rods and Mahle pistons. Then did all of the blocks machine work. I already had the Edelbrock Performer RPM heads, Crane Roller Cam, Hyd Roller Lifters, etc. I put it all together then we ran it on his engine dyno. It made 589 hp at 5200 rpm and 671 lbs ft torque at 4200 rpm. No problem getting my heavy C20 moving, plenty of torque for sure. I also wanted it to look as close to stock so the aluminum heads are painted and yes, I kept the factory valve coves and used Comp Cam's Roller tip rockers. They fit under the covers were roller rockers would not. It's no race truck but it gets around pretty good.

[D.B]

Originally Posted by sick472

I'll throw my truck in. I've been waiting to participate in the ToTM.

72 C10 Deluxe, with a Pontiac 400/THM400.

Sick472

Great looking color combo on your truck as well, I really like the bed work you have done.

[D.B]

Originally Posted by regan wilson

I agree. I was just looking at it this morning. Of course you know I like the fact that It's over 500 inches. And stock valve covers! I love factory BBC valve covers painted or chrome.

Mine is nothing compared to your truck. That thing is a monster for sure. Hey, when I lived in Irving back in the 90's I knew a guy that was from out in your area and raced at Hallsville in the 70's and 80's. You ever heard of Melvin High.

[sick472]

Originally Posted by D.B

Great looking color combo on your truck as well, I really like the bed work you have done.

Thanks DB, I tell everyone the bed is for hauling pillows...lol!

[regan wilson]

Originally Posted by D.B

Mine is nothing compared to your truck. That thing is a monster for sure. Hey, when I lived in Irving back in the 90's I knew a guy that was from out in your area and raced at Hallsville in the 70's and 80's. You ever heard of Melvin High.

Yes Sir I remember the name. We just had Molly Hall's Funeral about a month ago.. It's a small world.