Should I make this trade?

[toddtheodd]

I currently own a 70 chevelle, and a 72 c-10. Neither run, but for the truck it is just the motor, and for the chevelle, it's a laundry list of items.
Now, a guy at work has a running (when pulled) 454, with all the brackets and accessories (basically a turn key motor) that he wants to trade me for the chevelle.
So... couple of questions; What motor mounts do I need? Would a 454 kill a TH350 transmission? Should I make this trade?
Tell me what y'all think. Pros and Cons.
Todd

Oh... and I don't care about gas mileage. I have a 06 Pontiac Solstice as a daily driver, and it gets all the gas mileage I need.

[lowriden58]

post pics of the chevelle so we can give you a good honest answer

[Spray-Bomb]

It doesnt sound too fair to me, but there are a lot of variables

& yes, IMO the 454 will KILL the 350 trans

[Charlesdur]

Keep the Chevelle in IMO, you can find an engine anytime. In my area at least a 1970 Chevelle is hard to find. But PICs would help

[toddtheodd]

I don't have a picture of the chevelle... but here is the laundry list;
needs entire front clip, front rails of frame look to be bent, needs engine and trans, needs radiator core support, needs trunk floor replaced since it has rusted through in places, needs gas tank replaced (rust), needs patch panels welded in under the rear windshield where it has rusted through, needs trunk lid, needs driveshaft, needs steering column, needs wiring harness, needs interior replaced, and maybe floorboard as well, needs master cylinder replaced.
I'm actually more worried about him backing out when he sees the car, but truth be told, he's got a 468 that he's wanting to put in it to make it a drag car. Tubbing it and everything.
...
do you think somebody out there would be interested in trading 2 th350s for 1 th400?

[70rs/ss]

If it is a bone stock 454 the th350 will be fine, that being said a bone stock 454 with $4/gal fuel you are losing out, the Velle even though in really rough shape is still a 70 chevelle one of the two most popular years (the other being a 67). Junk rollers go for $3-5K. Sell the Velle and buy the 454 for $300. Trust me, ebay and the chevelle will be gone, some guy on the right coast will want it.

[streetstar]

agree with 70rs/ss.

It doesn't seem to be an equitable trade (but i haven't seen pics of it yet)

[sameyrasmea72]

Does the Chevelle have a title?

[Shane]

A 454 can be purchased for fairly reasonable prices still ... a '70 Chevelle can not.

[chevguy7]

Keep the chevelle, drop the 454 in it.

[toddtheodd]

Ok... I will keep the Chevelle.

Todd

[Bill72BB]

Originally Posted by toddtheodd

Ok... I will keep the Chevelle.

Todd

[Charlesdur]

or sell it to me and I will find you a 454.. just messing.. keep that chevelle or sell it, but dont trade it for an engine. good call and good luck

[chevy72blu]

I know you want that big block, but think about it; that thing may habe a cracked block, burn oil like a sieve, and have have ground every lobe off of it's cam. You just dont know.

When I found my BBC for my 72, it was in a very restorable (zero rust) 72 LWB. I paid the guy 1500 bucks for it with the beautifully running 454 all accessories, brackets, mounts, etc. I drove my "new truck" for a few days; damn it was fun having 2 72's, and put it on ebay for sale with no motor. It sold on ebay for around 1400, and I sold my 20k mile SBC to a buddy of mine for his jeep project - I ended up coming out with more cash in my pocket, and a great running 454 which turned out to be very recently rebuilt; I still tore it down and did all the bells a whistles, but it was a nice motor when I bought it.

The moral of the story is, you'll find a deal if you look around. a 70-72 Chevelle is my DREAM car. I dont care how bad of shape one is it... I would buy yours in a heart beat if I was out of school.

[chevychase]

Originally Posted by chevy72blu

I know you want that big block, but think about it; that thing may habe a cracked block, burn oil like a sieve, and have have ground every lobe off of it's cam. You just dont know.

100%

[toddtheodd]

Did I mention that I am the guy's supervisor at work? I would REALLY hope that he wouldn't trade me a crap 454......
But anywho... I just want one of my babies running again.
I almost wonder what I could get out of my truck... but I don't think I could get enough to get the chevelle up and running.
Todd

[70rs/ss]

Buy the 454 outright? Offer him $3-600 depending if you heard it run, stock vs hopped up. Honestly, (and this is coming from a guy with 8 yes EIGHT BBCs) a stockish 2-bolt from a 73 and up truck is not worth alot as the gas prices are crazy. I bought two Vortec 454 with roller cams and the "GOOD" vortec BBC heads for a couple hundred each (granted they need rebuilt) they are 4-bolt main blocks, one piece rear mains and roller cams. The early Gen IVs aren't worth a lot of $$$ unless is a LS5 or LS6 4-bolt, yadda yadda. I doubt he would trade you a junker, but the car is worth $1500 on it's worst day and $3-4k if someone really wants it.

[HoupPhotography]

IMO...
We don't have these trucks because were enviornmentalist, flipping to green or carpooling to save gas. With that said, fuel economy is the LAST thing that should be considered in a trade, build or swap. This is very simular to the comments Special K made in reference to the sale of our vehicles with increasing fuel prices, as he mentioned, "there have been fuel consuption concerns for over 30 years..." So don't take our current fuel situation to heart when making your decision, it's pointless and can bring possible regret in the future... "I should of done this back then". If your serious about fuel consumption and MPG's then buy an electric car and store the 'ol chevy until fuel prices are back to "normal".

Deciede what You want to do and do it, you know in your mind what may or seem to be good for you in your situation.... the feeling you get in your stomach, good or bad, we can't help you make that decision just steer you all over the road. I see a ton of big blocks, blower motors and other un-fuel econmic rides every weekend along with 600+ other non D.D. at a local saturday show.

I guess the point is this, Life is what you make it, you get out of it what you put into it and just like high fuel prices WE will not be around forever, build what suites you!

[Long Roof]

If I were closer I'd give you a running 454 and 400 tranny for the velle.

I'm glad your keeping the velle