86 454 T400 out of Motorhome with 32,000 miles for $600 "SHOULD I DO IT"

[bucket]

The 454 isn't for the K5 it would go in an 89 suburban I'm building and yes I'm swapping the 1 tons out of my K5 into my suburban and the 10 bolts into the K5.

Not being a smart ass and I'm kind of new at this square body stuff but is there something I'm missing or a reason why I should leave the 1 tons under a 73 K5? From what I've been told the 73 is worth a lot of $$$ so my thinking was 1 tons with lockers and offroading might not be the best idea. My plan was to eventually return it to Dana 44 and 12 bolt when I can find a set and restore the 73



Tracy

I think you are on the right track.

 

[shiftpro]

Do it. I scored a mystery 454 out of a C30 with alt/wp that dates to 1985 crate motor but has 1977 781 heads and a mild cam. Sounds super healthy and looks it inside too. That price is too good to pass up.

For that mileage you should drop it right into a truck. Run it til it pops before you rebuild. Get your money’s worth and then some.

I don't there is such a thing as 1977 781 heads.. could be wrong but I think 72 0r 73 was the last year of 781s. Like, where did you see a date? was it embossed into the heads?

 

[shiftpro]

So here's the deal, I have an 89 suburban that I already picked up a used 350 TBI replacement engine for but I just ran across this 454 T400 deal! I told the man I would take it this evening and we were suppose to meet up but no word from him! Now just a few minutes ago he texts me and says he can deliver it tomarro if I'm still interested. My plan was to eventually build a 383 but honestly if I'm thinking stroker a 496 sounds more like it

If the fella would have showed I would already be the proud new owner. What say you guys? I have until tomarro morning to let him know. I'm assuming a 454 carburated swap would be fairly simple

What year is the motor home?
Doesn't matter, buy it... this is a great deal.

 

[Overland Suburban]

What year is the motor home?
Doesn't matter, buy it... this is a great deal.

It was a 1986 however the Fella wouldn't get back to me today. My guess is being on Craigslist he probably had 100 more people trying to get that deal. I had already made a deal yesterday and in fact drove for about an hour in his direction as we had agreed apon meeting halfway and than he refused to contact me! Today, nothing!

Oh well, I have a 454 set in my mind now so guess I will keep looking. I did find a used 1979 for $300 that still runs no smoke but high miles. Kind of think I'd be better off finding one with a serpentine setup but don't really know. I found an 89 but the fella wants $1500 or trade if I would swap an LS that he has into his truck

Tracy

 

[shiftpro]

It was a 1986 however the Fella wouldn't get back to me today. My guess is being on Craigslist he probably had 100 more people trying to get that deal. I had already made a deal yesterday and in fact drove for about an hour in his direction as we had agreed apon meeting halfway and than he refused to contact me! Today, nothing!

Oh well, I have a 454 set in my mind now so guess I will keep looking. I did find a used 1979 for $300 that still runs no smoke but high miles. Kind of think I'd be better off finding one with a serpentine setup but don't really know. I found an 89 but the fella wants $1500 or trade if I would swap an LS that he has into his truck

Tracy

yeah it's a bitch dealing with people sometimes.... they want to sell something but they don't want to respond to buyers.
The thing to keep in mind, and BB new than say '72, will have horrible heads and if you want to make any kind of power you have to figure in the price of decent heads.
Stay away from square port heads unless you want 700 hp... oh and that goes with building an engine to begin producing power around 3200 rpm in order to spin it up to 6000 rpm to get that 700 hp. You want oval port 781 or... or.... damn sorry can't remember the other casting # that is comparable to 781s. 049 maybe?

 

[bucket]

I don't there is such a thing as 1977 781 heads.. could be wrong but I think 72 0r 73 was the last year of 781s. Like, where did you see a date? was it embossed into the heads?

http://outintheshop.com/faq/casting/castings2.html

'73-'85

I don't think they were used in trucks past the 70's but I don't doubt they weren't in production as over the counter replacements. I recently read that my '78 should have them, I'll find out when I do the valve cover gaskets.

 

[shiftpro]

http://outintheshop.com/faq/casting/castings2.html

'73-'85

I don't think they were used in trucks past the 70's but I don't doubt they weren't in production as over the counter replacements. I recently read that my '78 should have them, I'll find out when I do the valve cover gaskets.

Hey this is what my machinist (engine builder) was saying, although he wasn't positive.

 

[bucket]

Hey this is what my machinist (engine builder) was saying, although he wasn't positive.

Maybe he meant the 049's. Those are shown as '70-'73. I've always been told they are nearly the same as the 781's.

 

[Overland Suburban]

yeah it's a bitch dealing with people sometimes.... they want to sell something but they don't want to respond to buyers.
The thing to keep in mind, and BB new than say '72, will have horrible heads and if you want to make any kind of power you have to figure in the price of decent heads.
Stay away from square port heads unless you want 700 hp... oh and that goes with building an engine to begin producing power around 3200 rpm in order to spin it up to 6000 rpm to get that 700 hp. You want oval port 781 or... or.... damn sorry can't remember the other casting # that is comparable to 781s. 049 maybe?

Thanks for the info.....after researching my plan was to try to find a newer low miles 454 for cheap and do a head swap with 781s or similar and roller cam.

It appears according to buckets link 781s were used up to 1985 so I would think those would be easy to round up or find an engine with em


Tracy

 

[idahovette]

Whenever anybody finds an old GM motorhome chassis grab the steering column. Most if not all are tilt with very little slop in the tilt mechanism, cause they usually don't get pulled on to get a body in and out of the seat. Also GM G series vans. Looking for an early(no key) tilt/auto column right now, for my boy's 51 Studebaker 1/2 ton pickup

 

[DirtyDYT]

I don't there is such a thing as 1977 781 heads.. could be wrong but I think 72 0r 73 was the last year of 781s. Like, where did you see a date? was it embossed into the heads?

Sorry they’re actually ‘75’s.

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[Wumbo]

yeah it's a bitch dealing with people sometimes.... they want to sell something but they don't want to respond to buyers.
The thing to keep in mind, and BB new than say '72, will have horrible heads and if you want to make any kind of power you have to figure in the price of decent heads.
Stay away from square port heads unless you want 700 hp... oh and that goes with building an engine to begin producing power around 3200 rpm in order to spin it up to 6000 rpm to get that 700 hp. You want oval port 781 or... or.... damn sorry can't remember the other casting # that is comparable to 781s. 049 maybe?

781 and 049 are the sought after oval ports.

Often overlooked, and underrated are 820 and 292 castings. Flow and port volumes are similar to 781 and 049, but with a smaller 113 cc combustion chamber that has an unshrouded exhaust valve.

 

[shiftpro]

Whenever anybody finds an old GM motorhome chassis grab the steering column. Most if not all are tilt with very little slop in the tilt mechanism, cause they usually don't get pulled on to get a body in and out of the seat. Also GM G series vans. Looking for an early(no key) tilt/auto column right now, for my boy's 51 Studebaker 1/2 ton pickup

AND......
Look for a Gear Vendor overdrive for maximum bonus points!! Another secret us cool dudes need to know. You're welcome.

 

[shiftpro]

Some of them had tall block 454s also. Good for stroking and boring the hell out of it going over 500cis.
Just in case 496ci is not enough...

 

[Snoots]

Get it AND the tranny!