454 build for towing

[Alan Roehrich]

You know I actually thought about a two four dual plane and two TBIs but I thought I probably couldnt get it to work. So Turbo City has a fix for it to work? Also will the Vortec heads work on the early Mark IV blocks?

I do not know if Turbo City still makes the kit, or the parts, but they were the first to make one.

I am very leery of using Mark V heads on a Mark IV block, even with the special gaskets. A coolant leak into the lifter gallery is a really ugly prospect. Yes, it has been done.

[VMC]

...Yes, 1 3/4" headers are fine, I use Hedman headers for a 1st or second generation Camaro, those don't hang down, they clear everything nicely in a truck chassis, and they have 3" collectors.

Alan;

Do you have a part # on these headers, and what year(s) chassis have you installed them in?

[Alan Roehrich]

...Yes, 1 3/4" headers are fine, I use Hedman headers for a 1st or second generation Camaro, those don't hang down, they clear everything nicely in a truck chassis, and they have 3" collectors.

Alan;

Do you have a part # on these headers, and what year(s) chassis have you installed them in?

Part number 68190. I have had them on C/K 10-30 trucks from 64 to 91 (the 91 being the old 73-87 body style), the C-10 64 did require very minor notching of the motor mount stand on the driver's side. The 4x4 trucks were all straight axle trucks lifted at least 4", at stock ride height the drive shaft yoke on the front differential will hit the header during serious front suspension deflection. They might fit later model 2WD trucks as well, but I'm sure they will not fit the later 4X4 trucks.

[VMC]

Any idea idea they would fit on a `95 Suburban C2500?

Thanks again.

[Alan Roehrich]

Any idea idea they would fit on a `95 Suburban C2500?

Thanks again.

I think they would come close to fitting, I do not know how close. I don't think the engine location of the 88 and later two wheel drive trucks is that much different from the earlier trucks. I can't say for certain.

[groadyhesh]

Hey yall, stumbled across this thread while I've been piecing my 454 tow build together. I have a 1980 C30 crew cab dually. I've bought some Edelbrock 100cc aluminum heads, dual plane intake, Comp Cams 268H cam and a Edelbrock 750 cfm carb. Still putting money together for all my gaskets, rockers and a few other odds and ends. My question is what head gaskets would yall recommend I get so I can make the advertised 9.5:1 compression? I know this thread is old and I hope someone sees this post! I'm really looking forward to getting this thing all put together and waking this ol big block up. I've got a old Kamp King Koaches camper on it that has some serious weight to it. I also want to pull my bass boat as well. Drove it home to Austin, Texas all the way from Los Angeles where I bought it. The motor is bone stock survivor and boy, I'll tell ya, I spent some serious coin driving it back pretty much floored the whole way! Hahahaa!

[pdq67]

I would think that a pair of -206's would do nicely here if you can find them?

96.7 to 98 cc closed chambers and true large ovals. Regular sized valves, not the big valves or the little 1.94"/1.66" valves.

pdq67

[rustbucket79]

.030 over 454 with single valve relief piston at zero deck and those heads and a .040" thick 4.310 bore head gasket will net you 9.36:1 static compression. You'll need a dome piston to hit 9.5. If you are using the factory dished pistons most and an undecked block you'll be less than 8.75:1.

[rustbucket79]

Watch intake valve to piston clearance, the factory Zollner pistons have a tiny relief not conducive to the bigger valve Edelbrock heads.

[n2xlr8n]

Part number 68190. I have had them on C/K 10-30 trucks from 64 to 91 (the 91 being the old 73-87 body style), the C-10 64 did require very minor notching of the motor mount stand on the driver's side. The 4x4 trucks were all straight axle trucks lifted at least 4", at stock ride height the drive shaft yoke on the front differential will hit the header during serious front suspension deflection. They might fit later model 2WD trucks as well, but I'm sure they will not fit the later 4X4 trucks.

Stumbled across this nugget....

So if the headers fit those models, do you think it would be a reasonable assumption that the same PN would fit a 1987 Allegro Motorhome built on a C30 chassis?

[pdq67]

I would think that a pair of -206's would do nicely here if you can find them?

96.7 to 98 cc closed chambers and true large ovals. Regular sized valves, not the big valves or the little 1.94"/1.66" valves.

pdq67

Back again!

You can take the 1.94"/1.66" valved heads and install bigger valves in them by just doing it.

All GM did was just cast the seats smaller in dia. and cut them to the sizes needed for the valves they wanted to use.

pdq67

[econo racer]

I went from towing with the 454 TBI to 454 Vortec and added true dual cxhaust sysytem off original cats then ran Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers to rear. Plenty of power on 87 octane pulling about 18K got about 8 miles gallon loaded 11mpg empty. I love the small vortec heads. excellent for towing and needing torque. My next will get 1 size bigger hyd roller cam. Also the best deal when you have no payment on the truck

[econo racer]

Some guys are starting to put 496 and 540;s in the 3500 series.

[pdq67]

A 496, why not to?

One will cost about the same as a rebuilt 454 after all is said and done, what with todays cheap 496 kits.

Now if you can find a good 502 block, then for not much more money you can make a BIG engine! Just use a 4.375" stroked crank!

A 4.50" b x 4.375" s = 556"s... (.030" overbore)..

A 4.53" b x 4.375" s = 564"s... (.060" overbore)..

pdq67

PS., of course a 4.50" b x 4.25" s = 540"s..

[fastblackracing]

I am a big fan of increasing the cubic inches of the BBC if feasible for towing duties as demonstrated by my old 92 that is set up as follows....502 crate engine with TBI, 4L80E, +GV overdrive unit. It has very good towing power, gets good mileage for what it is and is somewhat fun to run around in unloaded....

The butt meter says it likely runs 15.0@90 1/4 miles, cruises 90@2000rpm converter locked in double OD and is just a sweet older dually.

If anything ever happens to the bottom end I would not think twice about putting a longer crank arm in it and taking it out to 550ish inches.

Note in the second pic the speedo is 8mph low relative to gps due to the DRAC module having not been set up yet for the bigger tires and gear change....gps said 90mph.

Maybe one day I can score a 454ss dash for it that does not cost a kings ransom....would love to have that 110mph speedo....

PS I have had it up to 136MPH lol.....