PROGRESS REPORT---Fitted 454 pics

[jojotonka]

Well fella's, IT FIT!!!!!! Took more time than what I expected but it went in pretty easy. I had to cut the firewall because of the tall valve covers you all said NOT to use.

[jojotonka]

Found some more pics
Still haven't fired her up yet, need to wire in the electric fuel pump and wires to the coil.

[LUV2XCLR8]

[Yukon Jack]

Congrats from me too - looks great!

[jays454]

It's looking Good!

[Chevyman63]

Nice job! Looks good!

[Chevyman63]

Well...is she going down the road yet? How's progress?

[Luba]

Do you have any good pics where you cut firewall? So I should be able to fit a 572 in whenever I win the lottery!

[Jtrux]

Originally Posted by jojotonka

Found some more pics
Still haven't fired her up yet, need to wire in the electric fuel pump and wires to the coil.

I am not 100% sure but I have heard that it is not good to start up a new motor with the ceramic coated headers. You have to cure those type of headers and since there is a break in period on a new engine you can possibly mess up the finish. Maybe someone here has a better idea of what to do but this is just what i've heard so becareful.

[Yukon Jack]

From what I heard it is the high heat that might occur if your timing is off during initial startup that can hurt the headers. I didn't worry about it on my K20 and they are doing fine a couple years later.

[jojotonka]

Well, IT'S ALIVE!!!!!!!! Sounds great! I wish I knew how to download some video! I can't believe how smooth this motor runs. You can hear the cam loping, but the motor doesn't even shimmy the slightest bit. That's the good news

The bad news

I think my tranny is toast, I thought it might have been on its way out with the original sbc, so I put in a new stall, in hopes that was it. NOPE!!! Doesn't want to go into gear when it's cold. The warmer it gets, the better it works. But I took it for a test drive down to the corner and it feels like its slipping.

I'll see if I can get some new pics of everything back together.

[Jtrux]

That's awesome news, hopefully it's nothing serious with your tranny.

[krue]

That's a beautiful engine in a good looking truck! Hate to hear about your tranny, but I get the feeling it probably wouldn't have lasted anyways.

[Chevyman63]

Hey Joe, any updates? Are you bringing the Jimmy by any time soon?

[jojotonka]

Hey Tim,

Long time NO talk too!!

I was in Corunna the other day with the Jimmy, I should of wrote ya. Everything is finally coming together. A couple of little things to do still, but it's on the road.

I bought a Fastrac top off another member, so I'm ditching the hard top tomorrow. You wouldn't happen to need a hard top for yours would ya?

Is the MICHIGAN COOKOUT still on schedule for June 16th??

I was going to ask ya too, Do you have a extra 4 series posi unit in your garage anywhere? I want to slap in some .456 gears, these .307's gotta go!!

[trkklr77]

:raises hand from back of class room:


how do you get the covers off? you will need to some day.

[Chevyman63]

Glad to hear she's on the road. Sorry, no axles here. You may want to try the place on Durand road just north of M-21, it used to be called Dad's 4x4 parts, but that was a few years ago. I haven't decided what I'm going to do as far as a top goes...plenty of time to decide. And yes, the cookout is still on for the 16th. Let me know when you'll be out and about next time and I'll look you up.

[jojotonka]

AHhhhh YAaa!! Valve covers.... ummm..... I kinda stuck my head in a hole on this one, I have to pull the motor OUT or the tub UP to get at the valve covers. But it's a new engine, and I only drive maybe 1,000 miles a summer. Let's just say I'm gambling.

If I do have to pull the motor out, I'm putting on some aluminum heads and a bigger camshaft. Right now the cam is only 2 sizes over stock, so it sounds pretty mellow after it warms up. Supposed to be better for torque, but I REALLY like the sounds of a lopy cam.

[70rs/ss]

Man, if you slid the motor forward to the next set of holes, the BBC would fit like a glove! I have a nice stock 70's 454 in my Blazer with no issues except that the HEI is close to the firewall (mine is mounted in the back position as well) If you had gone with the front holes the tall valve covers would have fit, but maybe a longer rear driveshaft would've been needed. Anyways, It looks sweet, I hope you do not need to pull the valve covers anytime soon.

[jojotonka]

Ya I agree with ya, but if I moved the engine forward, then I had to move the tranny, transfer case forward as well. The rear driveshaft would be too short, front driveshaft would be to long, not to mention the front driveshaft angle would be greater. I looked at alot of members threads before I did what I did.

Six of one --- half dozen of another...

This way was alot less modification. I could of went with smaller valve covers and maybe not had been so tight, BUT dammit I like those ribbed Edelbrock's.

I know you 2 wheel drive guys don't have any issues with the BBC.

But there is NO replacement for displacement!!

[Chevyman63]

Hey Joe, you going to the cruise & car show in Owosso this weekend?

[jojotonka]

ahh man!! Nope.. My wife and I are headed up north to go camping/canoeing. Kids are gone to Grandma's.

I did go for my first cruise TOPLESS today!!!! Pretty cool...

[Chevyman63]

Pics???