Should I go with a 454? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mvfd70 · 03-16-2009, 09:39 PM

I've got a chance to buy a running 454 out of a 78 c30. I've never messed with a big block so this will be a new thing for me. Owner says the motor ran good when it was in the truck but did use some oil. Don't know if it was from blow by or from the top end.

Couple of questions. Will this motor bolt up to the same transmissions as a SBC? If not, what tranny's will fit it? If it needs a rebuild, are they any harder to do than a SBC?

This would be a great step forward to getting my 68 project started.

Thanks

Willys47 · 03-16-2009, 09:42 PM

the tranny will bolt up but the stock frame mounts for bbc are diffeant

mvfd70 · 03-16-2009, 09:45 PM

that's no problem. I can change them do BBC mounts

mrh33916 · 03-16-2009, 09:46 PM

There's no replacement for "DISPLACEMENT"

stockish shawn · 03-16-2009, 11:16 PM

not positive but I think you will have to run short valve covers which would limit your selection of flash. but a big block sure looks mean under the hood. Also some 454 are externaly ballanced so make sure you have the right flex plate.

vectorit · 03-16-2009, 11:24 PM

No extra difficulty in buildin a rat, compared to a SBC just a lot heavier.

A machine shop I used a lot back in the day, said that they charged a few extra bucks for building BB's just because they were heavier.

But then most of the shop guys were in their 60's n complained a lot...

mvfd70 · 03-16-2009, 11:45 PM

Thanks. I would attempt the rebuild myself it it even needs it. Owner says that the truck had around 90k on the clock. Didnt say why they pulled the motor.

1956cameo · 03-17-2009, 04:47 AM

I have a big block 454 in my swb fleet 70 truck. I also have a factory big block 72 burb and I just picked up a factory bb half ton 70 truck. Nothing sounds as good as a healthy big block. Its nice to outrun everyone on the road especially when you are hauling a trailer with a car on it. I say if you can go big block, then definately go big block.

OARNGESI · 03-17-2009, 04:49 AM

Go for it youll be glad you did

71 burb · 03-17-2009, 05:10 AM

parts are more expensive but you'll love it go ahead and have some fun

kookykrispy · 03-17-2009, 05:27 AM

Yes, install a 454. You will love it in every way. If it were me, I would just install the engine as is and only rebuild it when you need to.

mvfd70 · 03-17-2009, 08:21 AM

It's not like I would NEED the power. This truck is gonna be a play toy. Probably never gonna even pull a trailer. But it sure would be nice to HAVE that much power on a SWB.

Skirkpat · 03-17-2009, 08:46 AM

Don't get to giddy yet, a 78 454 is a weak stock engine, now if you buy a set of real heads, and throw a little cam in it you might be a little happier. Just takes a little cash, parts for the big block are alot higher than a SBC

mvfd70 · 03-17-2009, 09:03 AM

From what I can see it is more of a torque engine than a horsepower.

Skirkpat · 03-17-2009, 09:14 AM

The problem with them, if you want to call it that is about 1973 The General had a Vasectomy, All GM engines were WEAK, the only real difference on the 454 was the Smog era heads with small peanut ports, and low compression pistons. change those pistons to 9 to 1 when you bore it out, and slap a set of good oval port heads with a decent cam, and it will snap your head off..yu could easily double the power.

mvfd70 · 03-17-2009, 09:22 AM

Ah ha. That makes sense. I may keep that in mind. Thanks.

03-16-2009, 09:39 PM	#1
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Should I go with a 454? I've got a chance to buy a running 454 out of a 78 c30. I've never messed with a big block so this will be a new thing for me. Owner says the motor ran good when it was in the truck but did use some oil. Don't know if it was from blow by or from the top end. Couple of questions. Will this motor bolt up to the same transmissions as a SBC? If not, what tranny's will fit it? If it needs a rebuild, are they any harder to do than a SBC? This would be a great step forward to getting my 68 project started. Thanks __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL

03-16-2009, 09:42 PM	#2
Willys47 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Nanaimo B.C. Posts: 604	Re: Should I go with a 454? the tranny will bolt up but the stock frame mounts for bbc are diffeant __________________ I was hooked on these trucks since 1982 when I drove my budys fathers 1968 Custum GMC 396 automatic dana 60 rear with a power lock diff what a ride more fun then we will we can ever tell!!

03-16-2009, 09:45 PM	#3
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Re: Should I go with a 454? that's no problem. I can change them do BBC mounts __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL

03-16-2009, 09:46 PM	#4
mrh33916 Project '67 454 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 283	Re: Should I go with a 454? There's no replacement for "DISPLACEMENT"

03-16-2009, 11:16 PM	#5
stockish shawn Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: paso robles ca. Posts: 20	Re: Should I go with a 454? not positive but I think you will have to run short valve covers which would limit your selection of flash. but a big block sure looks mean under the hood. Also some 454 are externaly ballanced so make sure you have the right flex plate.

03-16-2009, 11:24 PM	#6
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Should I go with a 454? No extra difficulty in buildin a rat, compared to a SBC just a lot heavier. A machine shop I used a lot back in the day, said that they charged a few extra bucks for building BB's just because they were heavier. But then most of the shop guys were in their 60's n complained a lot... __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU Last edited by vectorit; 03-16-2009 at 11:25 PM.

03-16-2009, 11:45 PM	#7
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Re: Should I go with a 454? Thanks. I would attempt the rebuild myself it it even needs it. Owner says that the truck had around 90k on the clock. Didnt say why they pulled the motor. __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL

03-17-2009, 04:47 AM	#8
1956cameo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Angleton, TX Posts: 2,219	Re: Should I go with a 454? I have a big block 454 in my swb fleet 70 truck. I also have a factory big block 72 burb and I just picked up a factory bb half ton 70 truck. Nothing sounds as good as a healthy big block. Its nice to outrun everyone on the road especially when you are hauling a trailer with a car on it. I say if you can go big block, then definately go big block.

03-17-2009, 04:49 AM	#9
OARNGESI Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: CASA GRANDE AZ Posts: 4,276	Re: Should I go with a 454? Go for it youll be glad you did __________________ 70 SWB STEPSIDE 70 BLAZER 09 challenger

03-17-2009, 05:10 AM	#10
71 burb Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: mount olive al Posts: 176	Re: Should I go with a 454? parts are more expensive but you'll love it go ahead and have some fun

03-17-2009, 05:27 AM	#11
kookykrispy The Early Chevy Van Man Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 76	Re: Should I go with a 454? Yes, install a 454. You will love it in every way. If it were me, I would just install the engine as is and only rebuild it when you need to. __________________ 64 Chevy Van 65 GMC Handi-Van 99 2500 silverado 4x4 ext cab

03-17-2009, 08:21 AM	#12
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Re: Should I go with a 454? It's not like I would NEED the power. This truck is gonna be a play toy. Probably never gonna even pull a trailer. But it sure would be nice to HAVE that much power on a SWB. __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL

03-17-2009, 08:46 AM	#13
Skirkpat Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: K.C. Missouri Posts: 1,024	Re: Should I go with a 454? Don't get to giddy yet, a 78 454 is a weak stock engine, now if you buy a set of real heads, and throw a little cam in it you might be a little happier. Just takes a little cash, parts for the big block are alot higher than a SBC

03-17-2009, 09:03 AM	#14
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Re: Should I go with a 454? From what I can see it is more of a torque engine than a horsepower. __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL

03-17-2009, 09:14 AM	#15
Skirkpat Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: K.C. Missouri Posts: 1,024	Re: Should I go with a 454? The problem with them, if you want to call it that is about 1973 The General had a Vasectomy, All GM engines were WEAK, the only real difference on the 454 was the Smog era heads with small peanut ports, and low compression pistons. change those pistons to 9 to 1 when you bore it out, and slap a set of good oval port heads with a decent cam, and it will snap your head off..yu could easily double the power.



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03-17-2009, 09:22 AM	#16
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Re: Should I go with a 454? Ah ha. That makes sense. I may keep that in mind. Thanks. __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL

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