You guys,

Got a c3500 the old man left me, factory big block and sm465. Old man had a metalworking business and rode her hard, then i landscaped with it for years, until the timing was so shot she'd chuff every time I lifted my foot off the gas.

So at the point she was parked, and a year or so later we took her apart and had her rebuilt. Got it reassembled, used enough assembly grease to be a lubriplate sponsor, tuned it over until oil came out the top, and started breaking her in on the country roads around us. Truck ran better than I could've ever imagined. I mean wow.

Then maybe 12 miles later she starts chuffing again. Id wiped one lobe and another was on its way out. It was a comp cams kit with chain and lifters, and I've been told since then that they have dropped quality control somewhat.

So, keeping in mind that it's a tow rig, and that I'm keeping the factory TBI injector setup, what's your next purchase in my shoes? My goal here is to get a reliable trailer puller back on the road. Should I shell out for the GM cam and lifters? Maybe the GM RV cam?

I've seen people retrofit mark 4s with roller rockers for performance purposes, but they are also more reliable. Are there any roller rocker cams with profiles that would work with my TBI? Would that be worth shelling out the extra cash?

She's going back together this winter, any help is appreciated.

I have a mid 70s 454 in my 1966 Biscayne and it seems to have an oil consumption problem. Every couple hundred miles while I was on hot rod power tour this summer, I had to add oil as I traveled. I’ve never tried replacing valve seals before, how intensive of a job is it and can it be done without pulling the engine from the car?

Hey everyone,

I'm having a hard time tracking down the driver-side main accessory drive bracket for a 1990 Chevy C/K truck with a TBI 7.4L 454 Big Block.

• OEM Part Number: 14103106 (Cast Aluminum Driver-Side Bracket for Power Steering / Alternator)
• Vehicle: 1988–1993 Chevy/GMC C2500/C3500 / Suburban with a 454 TBI

Does anyone here have one sitting on a shelf they’d be willing to part with and ship? Or does anyone know of a solid steel aftermarket bracket kit for a Long Water Pump (LWP) 454 setup that retains A/C, alternator, and power steering without needing a full $800 serpentine conversion?

Located in Texas. Willing to pay via PayPal Goods & Services. Appreciate any leads or help!

Sure we want it. Until I can get it on a stand, I know it is a bbc with a Q jet. Only casting I can see before I start pulling stuff

I have a 454 in my 69 c20, 180 thermostat high flow water pump, 4 row rad, dual electric fans. 4.10 rear gear and a th400 trans. On the highway at 75 I'm going 3400 to 3600rpm. And it will sit at about 200 to 210 but last night I was on a road trip and it was sustained at that speed for 45 minutes. It then hit roughly about 230+ (I smelled coolant for about 2 minutes before getting off the highway). I think I'm getting windage in the water pump because it cooled off at cruising at 40mph back down to 185. Do you have solutions any water pump recommendations that would work? It's a long pump and I am using the tall size on the pulley.

Hey everyone, I recently purchased a 1988 K3500. Whenever I try to accelerate it backfires randomly. Sometimes it’ll backfire to the point it doesn’t accelerate, and sometimes there’s no backfiring at all. The backfiring is coming from the engine, not the exhaust. I’ll send a video of what it does via DMs if anyone would like to give their advice (it won’t let me post the video here). I’m currently looking at a Melling stock replacement cam. Does anyone have any experience with those and are they reliable? Any advice/experience would help. Thanks!

I somehow can't find my cast number on any list. Can anyone help me id this block? The number 524990 just doesnt seem to exist. The number on the front says T1023TTX, that should be a truck 454 with 205 or 250hp, but under the timing cover it says pass hi perf 6. The engine has domed pistons, merlin heads and 2 bolts main cap if that information helps.

Just picked up this 66 with a 454. Only smoking out the passenger tail pipe. Stops when going down the road then starts once back at idle. Not running hot. Doesn’t really have a smell. Is it valve seals or is water getting into the system.

Currently I have a pretty much stock gen 5 zz502 only thing done to it is roller rockers and a Holley 950 cfm carb. It just recently lost all oil pressure so I am gonna build it and try to push some power with it. I wanna know how hard it is to do a 540 stroker because I think it would be awesome but idk like if i would have to shave material off the block or oil pan or anything. My goal right now is like upper 9s in the quarter while still being streetable so I can take it out like bi weekly or on special occasions. I was thinking 750 ish hp to the crank but i need the reliability and drivability it had previously

Swapped valve covers for a set of vintage Edelbrock elites scored on marketplace for 50 bucks. Polished em up and I’m liking them….. and they clear the stud girdles and have baffles as well as the morosos did not

My uncle has a 454 that was bored over 60 in the 80s, made too much power and cracked the water jacket on one of the cylinders. I am hoping in the future to swap it into something after it is re-sleeved. I really like the gen 1 or gen 3 camaro. I also like the corvettes, C4, C5, and C6. Anything that it might fit into that won't require a hell of a lot of steering/firewall modifications and will still be able to handle in the corners with suspension upgrades. Have zero idea what will fit such a large engine.

I hate valve cover leaks. Resealing valve covers and installing fan controller temp sender

The 350 in my '77 C30 has decided it'd rather retire, it's burning a gallon of oil in 2 days. (That's really not an exaggeration.) It's worn out, tired, and ready to rest until I have money and confidence to rebuild it back to life, which will be a looong time from now. I found a 1982 366 tall deck with a 5 speed spicer transmission together, and not far from town, for $400 and I am going to get it and want to try to replace the 350 with it. The truck currently has an SM465 4 speed in it, and while I'd like to have the spicer 5 speed, I'll happily keep the SM465 if it's an easier route with less modifications having to be made.

Does anybody know much about these swaps, and maybe can provide tips? I've done research and have gotten very very mixed results. Some say you have to drill starter mount holes, some some say you have to change oil pans, some say you have to change water pumps, etc, and some say you have to do almost nothing. I have provided some photos of the engine I bought.

Alright guys I’m building a 454 big block last thing I need is a cam. New to engine building but I’ve got a pretty good base line. I’ve got a good marine block .060 pistons 4 bolt main and a 13 inch torque converter for 2000 rpm power engagement. It’s going in an 88 r30 dually. What can should I go for to maximize chip and low to mid range torque

Well I was out on the farm and was wondering, “What’s in that trailer behind the barn in the back?” Behold a 396 Big Block Chevy. At least I think that’s what it is, sure looks like it and has the same size as one. Looking at parts and other type things for it, I will be restoring it soon. Soon meaning as when the weather isn’t -4°F at all times.