Wanted: 1974 pics and info.

[WorkinLonghorn]

Hi. I have an opportunity to look at a scarcely used 1974 with a 454. Could someone post a picture of a 1974 (my current '69 is the latest model I've ever had) and tell me if there were any particularly options to look for,or any weaknesses to check out. It sounds like a very pristine truck. I'll post some pictures when I get to look this week.Much thanks-Brian

[Captkaos]

Check this page:
http://brochures.slosh.com/index.shtml?1974
Options to look for, buckets, tilt, BBC, A/C, CB radio, Cheyenne Super trim (top of the line)

[WorkinLonghorn]

Thanks,that's exactly what I was looking for. BTW, Is that 230 HP rating for the 454 understated or is it realistic? That is only 30 more Net HP than my current '69 350 4V.

[Zoomad75]

THat rating should be NET horsepower as they changed from the "gross" rating method around 1972. Gross is with no accessiories, no full exhaust, just the engine with nothing on it. Net is the engine with all accessories installed (alternator, p/s, ect), full exhaust and emissios junk.

So yes, number to number your 69 350 is only 30 ponies shy of the 74 454, but your 69 350 rating is "gross" and the 454's was "net". Meaning, if you rated your 69 350 with the "net" method, it would have a lower number.

Keep in mind, the 454 in 74 had lower compression and other steps taken to make it more emissions friendly, so it's not a powerhouse like the LS6 450 hp 454 from 4 years earlier. It probably has the small heads too. It's a good foundation, but wasn't built for all out power like the LS6 was.

[WorkinLonghorn]

Thanks. Does this 1974 454ci have the potential to be practical if I install headers,remove any smog crap that affects performance,and make other tweaks,or is it doomed to be a gas-hog with marginal performance.I've never had a big-block and gas is quickly approaching $3.50/gal here.-thx,Brian

[Pyrotechnic]

It could be an efficient engine with the right compression ratio, a mild street cam, better heads, a dual plane aluminum intake, and long tube headers, and a properly tuned carburetor. I wouldn't bolt these items onto that old of an engine though. I would go ahead and pull the engine, have it completely rebuilt and balanced and then install the new performance pieces.

The biggest problem with these engines is the extremely low compression ratio, so a head change at the least will be required.

[WorkinLonghorn]

Thanks Pyro,really appreciated.I will be looking at a very low-mileage '74 that's been in storage.
>>I know that here in California they also had the timing advance come in real late to reduce smog.I would totally recurve an HEI and put adjustible vac.adv unit.
>Maybe if I just mill the heads and switch cams,add headers,tune the carb etc. It'll be OK. I could live with 10MPG overall. Thx-Brian

[Texasdeere]

I think those trucks had the air pump set up and a carbon canister from the factory not really sure about any other emissions. The only problem areas that I can think of is just general body rust. They don't seem to get quite as bad though as the older ones. A California truck should be pretty good. I had a 74 C10 Cheyenne Super from Dallas before and it was solid as a rock.

Looking forward to your pictures! I really like the 73/74 models.

[turbo350]

"these engines is the extremely low compression ratio"

This is a good thing if you have a small supercharger available to bolt on. The small street type blowers were initially meant to bolt onto low compression smog motors and give anywhere from 50 to 75, sometimes even more horsepower on a stock motor running low boost. Still would go through the motor as was said earlier just for peace of mind on something thats over 30 years old.

[WorkinLonghorn]

This is a good thing if you have a small supercharger available to bolt on. The small street type blowers were initially meant to bolt onto low compression smog motors and give anywhere from 50 to 75, sometimes even more horsepower on a stock motor running low boost. Still would go through the motor as was said earlier just for peace of mind on something thats over 30 years old.

Thanks Turbo. If gas was $1.20 a gallon again,that would have been my first thought too. Unfortunately gas is way over $3 here and it seems they have us by the,well, by the short hairs around here and $4 a gallon by summer's end has been discussed. I'm just too darned cheap to go that route,but if I could get 10 or 11 on regular gas I might get the truck. Thx.Brian

[Texasdeere]

Any pictures yet?

[garysouthlake]

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

Hi. I have an opportunity to look at a scarcely used 1974 with a 454. Could someone post a picture of a 1974 (my current '69 is the latest model I've ever had) and tell me if there were any particularly options to look for,or any weaknesses to check out. It sounds like a very pristine truck. I'll post some pictures when I get to look this week.Much thanks-Brian

I'm no pro but I can tell you that parts for a '74 are much harder to come by than 77 and up. (My own ride is a restored 75) The good news is that most parts are still available.

[WorkinLonghorn]

Thanks for the info in the above. The guy seems to really be dragging his heals on showing it to me and I'm slow-playing it to not look anxious.But the fact is that every time I go past the ARCO, gas is even higher,so in fact I'm actually not too anxious anymore. The report I got was " old geezer in rich neighborhood,used it once on trip to Grand Canyon,pristine orig.cond." Will post pics when I have them. Brian