Any problems with this motor?

[72gmcshorty]

I found a 1988 suburban in my local craigs. It has 90k on it. It's a 3/4 ton and has a 454. I believe it is a 2wd. Would there be any issues putting this motor/tranny into my blazer?

[Twisted78SS]

Are you talking a 4x4 or 2wd Blazer, either way it will fit, but if it's for a 4x4 there is more work involved..

I am working on the same drivetr drive-train ain for one of my Blazer projects.

[Yukon Jack]

Here's a great thread for you to review addressing issues related to putting a BBC in a 67-72 4wd.

[72gmcshorty]

mines a 2wd. What kind of tranny would most likely be in this suburban?

[Monte Carlo Man]

Please - take it from me, those motors are junk!

They are a light casting and they have problems with over heating and water pumps and castings - heads and blocks cracking. It is not like a small block Chevrolet where you could take a motor out of a '55 and put it into a '85 Chevrolet and not have problems.

When you get into that fuel injection crap - you are better off finding a high compression block from say 1972 to 1978 that already has the hardened valve seats for the unleaded fuel and the carburetor. The other issue you might get into is if your state has emissions where your vehicle has to retain the original smog pump and catalytic converter and all the original plumbing - if it does not match the picture in the book for the original engine - it might not pass inspection and then you won't be able to drive it.

[old man jimmy]

Originally Posted by 72gmcshorty

mines a 2wd. What kind of tranny would most likely be in this suburban?

700r4

[Yukon Jack]

I've got a 1989 454 that I am running with a carb. I'm actually very pleased with the motor for my application. With a heavy truck like mine I want torque down low and this is exactly what this motor provides with the peanut port heads. I've got a nice cam in it along with an intake designed for the peanut port heads and couldn't be happier. Would this motor be good for an application where you would want high rpm's - of course not, but that is not what I need.

As for heating issues, I'm running a four core radiator and an Eldebrock water pump and have absolutely no overheating issues even in 100 degree weather (I haven't even put a shroud back on it yet).

[72gmcshorty]

i am only planning on using it for everyday driving. No towing. Whats involved in taking all the FI stuff off and running carb?

[Monte Carlo Man]

They make manifolds and stuff that is a simple bolt on.

But as I remember it, the old style BB Chevy used a two piece rear main seal and the newer engines - after 1985 all had the one piece rear main seal and a different flywheel and a lot of things just doesn't interchange and wasn't really worth it.

There was a period of time where GM experimented with different types of fuel injection starting with the 1982 Camaro - 305 which by 1983 with the cross fire fuel injection was a ticking time bomb. I believe that the real reason why they came back out with the 350 was because people were used to the 350 and associated it with power, just the same as what you associate the 454 with power.

We had several big block Chevy trucks and the best ones were the ones that said High Performance Passenger Car on the heads and block. 396, 402, 427.

Even Bobby Allison and Junior Johnson said to stay away from the 454.
Most of the ones we had blew either the number 7 rod or piston. It was just something to do with a poorly designed piston or rod or a lean condition in the rear cylinders. So I never really had any love for any of them.

When I worked in the junkyard, that was still a fairly new pick up - 1988 and we had one that was burned - that needed a new cab and wiring harness and 3 seperate people bought the truck and brought it back without doing a single thing to it. None of them wanted to fix it once they found out what all they had to do to it and the potential for the engine to be junk, even if it sounded good when they repaired the truck. And this was people who bought two wrecked trucks and cut them in half and welded the two good portions together and made one good truck out of two. They weren't afraid of work, but were afraid of the newer style 454 because they had a bad reputation.

[Monte Carlo Man]

When you start getting into serpentine belts and power accessories like the power steering pump and the alternator - which is not the GM SI unit, and the mounts and the size of the alternator is different - then you will find out what everything costs.

It is different when the motor comes out of and goes into the same year, make and model of vehicle.

[72gmcshorty]

thanks all, i think i will pass on this truck then...

[Yukon Jack]

My 89 454 came from a wrecked donor so I had everything I needed to take and put in my truck. I used the donor's complete pulley setup, power steering and got rid of the AC portion. I even put on the hydroboost brake system and hydraulic clutch setup. I stripped the motor of all wiring, got a carb, intake, cam, MSD Ready To Run distributor and coil, mechanical fuel pump and was up and running pretty easily. The more challenging part was making the bbc fit in the truck.

[72gmcshorty]

Well this suburban is a complete runner...

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bn...594887001.html

[Yukon Jack]

Looks like a bargain for $1,000. How do you plan on using your K5?

[turp mcspray]

FYI...gm used the mark iv big block (old style, 2 piece rear main, etc) through 1990. In 1991 they went to the gen v, which had a lot of changes. You can bolt on a regular carb and intake, and drop in a non computerized hei, with no problem. They went to flat top pistons (low compression) way back in the early 70's. I think it would make for a good swap.

[72gmcshorty]

i plan on using my 2wd for a daily summer driver, no winters... More for show and go...It will get babied not worked..

[vtblazer]

looks like a great candidate, did you grab it?

[72gmcshorty]

i made him an offer he couldn't refuse (hopefully)...i can't have too many vehicles at the house, already have 3 cars, my blazer in carport and just bought a 92 gmc pickup yesterday. Neighbours gonna start complaining