454 chevy

[Deadeyejedi80]

 

[39F]

Looks dam clean , definitely grab if you can ,was probably maintained very well definitely a good starting point no doubt

 

[ck80]

View attachment 171719

Well, that's the peanut port intake casting number. If everything is original on the thing, the date code of Nov 1985 on the intake puts you at a l19 mark IV engine, and because of those peanut port intake/heads holds you back - rating would be around 230hp/380tq.

So the shortblock is probably of the most use as natural gas/propane engines burn clean and usually show little wear, especially given they normally hum at a level rpm

 

[Deadeyejedi80]

Well, that's the peanut port intake casting number. If everything is original on the thing, the date code of Nov 1985 on the intake puts you at a l19 mark IV engine, and because of those peanut port intake/heads holds you back - rating would be around 230hp/380tq.

So the shortblock is probably of the most use as natural gas/propane engines burn clean and usually show little wear, especially given they normally hum at a level rpm

I was hoping to just drop in and go , but with numbers like that it sounds pretty gutless as is . I’d have to think long and hard before I started putting a bunch of money into a Chevy motor 😳( no offense ) as I said I’m an olds guy

 

[ck80]

I was hoping to just drop in and go , but with numbers like that it sounds pretty gutless as is . I’d have to think long and hard before I started putting a bunch of money into a Chevy motor 😳( no offense ) as I said I’m an olds guy

Well, good news is Chevy motors (even big blocks) cost probably 1/3 to do comparable work of what an Olds motor does... and with the ls fan boys demand for old school iron is down - and so used parts prices are too.

By the 80s you were fighting on 2 fronts - smog motors everywhere plus big blocks relegated to truck territory where torque mattered and hp not so much.

I'd say your shortblock is likely good as is, just add a better set of used heads on there with a better intake. So figure a set of oval port heads, used in good shape, maybe $400, and a decent intake for $150 more.

 

[GuysMonteSS]

Well, good news is Chevy motors (even big blocks) cost probably 1/3 to do comparable work of what an Olds motor does... and with the ls fan boys demand for old school iron is down - and so used parts prices are too.

By the 80s you were fighting on 2 fronts - smog motors everywhere plus big blocks relegated to truck territory where torque mattered and hp not so much.

I'd say your shortblock is likely good as is, just add a better set of used heads on there with a better intake. So figure a set of oval port heads, used in good shape, maybe $400, and a decent intake for $150 more.

And dont forget a slightly more performance oriented camshaft to go along with better heads and intake.
Guy

 

[ck80]

And dont forget a slightly more performance oriented camshaft to go along with better heads and intake.
Guy

True - along with a serpentine belt setup, fuel pump, timing chain/gears, headers, choice of efi or carb, bigger radiator, etc etc... but I figured those things were part of any original swap budget anyways? Really the only unexpected costs would be the heads/intake setup, and for a clean low-wear big block it's not bad at all.

 

[GuysMonteSS]

True - along with a serpentine belt setup, fuel pump, timing chain/gears, headers, choice of efi or carb, bigger radiator, etc etc... but I figured those things were part of any original swap budget anyways? Really the only unexpected costs would be the heads/intake setup, and for a clean low-wear big block it's not bad at all.

I am a member over at Team Chevelle,mostly because of the big block stuff that I like to stay on top of.
There is more than one of the guys there making decent power and running good times with a basic stock,low compression big block with upgrades similar to what you are planning.
Guy

 

[565bbchevy]

I’d have to think long and hard before I started putting a bunch of money into a Chevy motor 😳( no offense ) as I said I’m an olds guy

The problem is once you go BBC you will never want to go back.

 

[ck80]

The problem is once you go BBC you will never want to go back.

View attachment 171748

The girth doesn't make up for everything.

Even with the 496, my 250 inline six still gives a good ride. It's longer than any BBC, so maybe that matters too.