Tall deck swap? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

74CustomK20 · 08-12-2018, 05:07 PM

I have a 350 in my 74 C30. Runs decent enough but towing my 20' car hauler it really could use some more grunt. My truck is a 465 4 speed which helps but I have to spin it a lot more rpm than I want to pull some hills.
Anyway, a farmer across the road has an old c50 he's wanting to get rid of. I told him I'd pay for it and get rid of it for em. It has a 366 tall deck in it. Anyone think it would be a good swap? Especially for 200 bucks? Any problems with this motor? I've read online that "it's a boat anchor" or "pull the mains n crank n scrap the rest because it's just junk". Reminds me of the 6.5 diesel which I LOVE. Any insight on this?

100%Chevy · 08-12-2018, 07:48 PM

It's a low rpm torque monster.
It will pull,but you can't run it on the interstate.Will not last long at higher speeds.Probably explode at 5000 rpm!
AND,it will drink fuel like you've never seen before!
I recently traded off a 427 Td for a small block engine.
But,for $200.00 bucks,you can keep the engine and scrap the rest to get your money back!
I use a stock 454/t-400 for towing.
Mike.

Ziegelsteinfaust · 08-12-2018, 10:46 PM

It is a bad idea. That is a truck motor, as was built to be under load for hours on end. MPG, and power we're after thoughts. Power was a optional Upgrade.

If you want more power you have a few choices.

Upgrade to a Vortec 350 with a mild cam.
Upgrade the Vortec 350 to 383.
Go bigger with a 396/402, and a torque cam.
Go big or go home with a standard 454.

Either combo should have headers, and a nice dual plane manifold. Plus even the 454 will likely get better mpg, and all will walk a 366 up a hill. Just the 366 will never fail, and that is why it was in a 5 ton.

74CustomK20 · 08-13-2018, 01:40 AM

Was my thoughts. It being a truck motor n since I use my dually to tow it made sense to me. The main thing is cost honestly. A good used 454 will run me about 1500 motor alone. That was the good thing of this c50, cheap lol.

andyh1956 · 08-13-2018, 11:33 AM

You can get manifold spacers & put a good intake on it, just get rid of the governed carb though. You will loose the twin thermostats but you won't need them in a pickup.
Depending on the model truck it's in the engine may have an offset water pump that won't work in your pickup.
Those engines have small ports & even smaller valves.

08-12-2018, 05:07 PM	#1
74CustomK20 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tell City, IN Posts: 637	Tall deck swap? I have a 350 in my 74 C30. Runs decent enough but towing my 20' car hauler it really could use some more grunt. My truck is a 465 4 speed which helps but I have to spin it a lot more rpm than I want to pull some hills. Anyway, a farmer across the road has an old c50 he's wanting to get rid of. I told him I'd pay for it and get rid of it for em. It has a 366 tall deck in it. Anyone think it would be a good swap? Especially for 200 bucks? Any problems with this motor? I've read online that "it's a boat anchor" or "pull the mains n crank n scrap the rest because it's just junk". Reminds me of the 6.5 diesel which I LOVE. Any insight on this? __________________ Big Nate Carp. Local 224. Buy made in the USA! 03 F350 6.0 Daily Race Truck. 79 C70 366 Project Dump.

08-12-2018, 07:48 PM	#2
100%Chevy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Moss Point,Ms. Posts: 1,439	Re: Tall deck swap? It's a low rpm torque monster. It will pull,but you can't run it on the interstate.Will not last long at higher speeds.Probably explode at 5000 rpm! AND,it will drink fuel like you've never seen before! I recently traded off a 427 Td for a small block engine. But,for $200.00 bucks,you can keep the engine and scrap the rest to get your money back! I use a stock 454/t-400 for towing. Mike.

08-12-2018, 10:46 PM	#3
Ziegelsteinfaust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temple City Posts: 3,633	Re: Tall deck swap? It is a bad idea. That is a truck motor, as was built to be under load for hours on end. MPG, and power we're after thoughts. Power was a optional Upgrade. If you want more power you have a few choices. Upgrade to a Vortec 350 with a mild cam. Upgrade the Vortec 350 to 383. Go bigger with a 396/402, and a torque cam. Go big or go home with a standard 454. Either combo should have headers, and a nice dual plane manifold. Plus even the 454 will likely get better mpg, and all will walk a 366 up a hill. Just the 366 will never fail, and that is why it was in a 5 ton.

08-13-2018, 01:40 AM	#4
74CustomK20 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tell City, IN Posts: 637	Re: Tall deck swap? Was my thoughts. It being a truck motor n since I use my dually to tow it made sense to me. The main thing is cost honestly. A good used 454 will run me about 1500 motor alone. That was the good thing of this c50, cheap lol. __________________ Big Nate Carp. Local 224. Buy made in the USA! 03 F350 6.0 Daily Race Truck. 79 C70 366 Project Dump.

08-13-2018, 11:33 AM	#5
andyh1956 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: thomastown mississippi Posts: 1,261	Re: Tall deck swap? You can get manifold spacers & put a good intake on it, just get rid of the governed carb though. You will loose the twin thermostats but you won't need them in a pickup. Depending on the model truck it's in the engine may have an offset water pump that won't work in your pickup. Those engines have small ports & even smaller valves.



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