72 4x4 options question

[72gord]

Went to a local truck pull yesterday and in the ''stock'' class there was a 72 longhorn 4x4, the guy claimed it was factory stock and had a build sheet to prove it (which I never saw). Anyway it was a 3/4 ton camper special with the long fleetside box with the extension in the front and it had, what he said was a factory 454. Was there anything like that produced in 72? I thought there were no big blocks put in 4x4's before 73....just wondering for the sake of saving the next argument (sp) Thanks Gord