BBC engine ID

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Higherflyer

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My son and I picked up a 1982 k10 4x4 with the engine swapped to what was said to be a 1971 454 but no more information.
I found some I'd numbers but can't find much online. Any help would be appreciated. Where else to look for numbers?
Head numbers 3993820.

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AKguy

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Well, the heads and the exhaust manifold numbers match for 1971.
 

BillK

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I would guess somewhere in the 80's at least. They did not start putting the Liter size (7.4) on the blocks till at least then. I cant tell the letters at the start of the stamped engine code for sure but if you can figure them out this site will tell you what you have:

https://nastyz28.com/spmenu.html

The 7.4 is a 454 for sure. The 820 heads were used up till at least 1985 What is the block casting number ? It should be on the drivers side of the block behind the cylinder head.
 

Higherflyer

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Thanks, I will take a look tomorrow and see what I come up with.
 

Higherflyer

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Finally got to the casting number
14015445 and there is GM 1P.
 
Last edited:

Wumbo

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820's are good heads. Big ovals ports, and slightly smaller chamber than 781 & 049's.
 

Higherflyer

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I was able to get a better picture of the engine stamp TF3502886.
Is there anything else I should look for to help identify this engine?
I would like to order parts but being new at this I don't want to order the wrong parts.
 

Bextreme04

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That engine stamping means its most likely an over the counter crate motor. It doesn't have a normal stamping number or VIN that it would have had if it was a factory equipped motor. The casting number for the block is one that was used all the way up into the late 80's and is most likely as Mark IV block. The 820's are great small open chamber passenger car heads and were used on the 1971 365hp LS-5 motors from the factory. It looks like someone built a hot 454 at some point in the 80's and dropped it into that truck, there's really no telling what it is without pulling it apart and checking everything. What parts are you trying to order? Most things are going to be interchangeable between the BBC's, so just knowing it is an older 454 should be enough to order most things.
 

Higherflyer

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That's good info, thank you very much.
At this point I am looking for rockers and push rods, nothing crazy just want to get it going as one of the rockers is broken.
I don't know if I can just get one rocker but seems pointless if I can change them all out for something more reliable and newer.

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nvrenuf

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Finally got to the casting number
1405445 and there is GM 1P.

Its probably a 14015445. If so, those were used in the 70’s to 80’s, typical truck motor. Those could be 2 or 4 bolt main, you have to look to be sure.

I lucked up and got a 4 bolt version, mine was an 80’s era with peanut port heads.
 

Higherflyer

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You are right, I missed the 1 in there. I edited it to be correct.
 

Bextreme04

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That's good info, thank you very much.
At this point I am looking for rockers and push rods, nothing crazy just want to get it going as one of the rockers is broken.
I don't know if I can just get one rocker but seems pointless if I can change them all out for something more reliable and newer.

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You shouldn't need a specific application then. I would recommend at least roller tip rockers and then just stock replacement pushrods. You might want to do a cam and new lifters too while you are in there, it should really wake up the engine.. especially with those nice flowing oval ports. I'd do something like the summit K1301 kit that keeps it fairly mild for regular truck use. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-k1301
 

Higherflyer

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Thanks for the suggestion, I am enjoying all the help on this forum.
How do I tell if the lifters are solid or hydraulic? I probably need to remove them to see.
 

Catbox

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With the intake off, you should be able to see where the lifter contacts the cam.

This is my 1997 Gen6 454 that has a roller cam in it.

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Bextreme04

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I can't imagine someone put a solid flat tappet cam in there... that's race car stuff. Just pull the valve cover and look down next to the pushrods. If the top of the lifter looks like catboxs pic, you have a hydraulic lifter. If it has a cross bar connecting two lifters together or a spider assembly like his pic it is a roller cam. If it has both, you have a hydraulic roller cam.
 

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