i still have the original sbc front springs in my beaumont, put in the bbc this year, surprisingly no noticeable drop in ride height...(steel motor, alum. intake/headers .....my sbc had alum. heads!)
Given that none of us has "Diamond Jim" before our names, I'd be inclined to go with the low buck solutions as well. Let's face it, with economy likely to be in the sh!ter for a while, no one is going to paying big bucks for anything, particularly toys. Todd's car isn't going to be a numbers matching original no matter what big block goes in it, so why pay all that extra for a motor in pieces in N.B? Makes no sense to me. If we were all back in the 70's right now and Todd had an opportunity to swap in a late model 454, nobody would think twice about it if it was a good deal. Lots of friends of mine at the time did exactly that. Todd, your 350 is certainly worth more than $500 but as that guy just demonstrated, no one wants to pay what these things are worth. Just put it away and store it. Remember these cars are supposed to be a fun and affordable hobby for us and we are all operating within a budget, it's the theme thats important and the effort you put into it, not the dollars.
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Hillar
1970 LS4 (eventually an LS5) Laurentian 2dr hdtp -and a bunch of other muscle cars...
I agree Astro. I'll likely end up with the late 454 for quite some time. The swap will cost enough as it is as I'm sure the rad will have to be replaced, plus new mounts, headers, etc etc. I didn't know about the flex plate-thanks Dave! I'll source one of those. Anything else I should know?
You know, I really shouldn't be doing any of this as money is super tight around here, but you only go around once! Todd
welcome to the big blocks todd. i would put in a fresh camshaft/timing chain while its still out. you'll need a b-body oil pan also. ps brackets are still available from gm. frt springs should be ok, b/blk is only about 100 lbs more than a sm/blk. rad should be ok if it's in good condition.
I've got a 1977 454 in my car and it works great. I used a stock spec cam for a 72 LS-5, new chain, vintage Eddy intake, headers and a Holley 750 vac secondary. Excessive amount of torque and will run on low octane pump fuel although I have been using premium.
I think Carl was talking about 2 motors. The 454 I got is the one out of the dually. It should suit my needs fine. I'll take low end torque over hp on the street any day. Rick, a 4 speed would be sweet but not in the budget at this time. I'll keep the 350 for now JUST IN CASE something else comes along! I was at a cruise night talking to a guy about putting a 454 in my car. He asked if I would sell him my 350. I said maybe. I showed him it and ran it. He loved it and asked how much. I said "Oh, I dunno, say about $500". He balked and felt that was a rip off! A 69 vintage 350 with 68k and an Edelbrock intake, double roller chain, new water pump, and L79 cam with new lifters and pushrods isn't worth $500?
not much call for "small blocks" anymore.. I give you $475.00 for it..lol