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.