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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

OT Chevy motor switch 305/454

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Farm W/Junk

11-21-2006 13:37:30




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Hi all I have a few questions about a project I want to get done this winter. Its to put a 454 chevy motor into a 1984 K10 pickup that currently has a 305 in it. I have a 1987 chevy one ton with complete motor tranny and such for a donor. My questions are will everything fit right? Is there a difference in the trucks? What do I need to be concerned about? Thanks to all with advice.
Matt




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Paul Shuler

11-22-2006 14:31:00




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 Re: OT Chevy motor switch 305/454 in reply to Farm W/Junk, 11-21-2006 13:37:30  
Did the same thing about 3 year ago. 305 man what a dog. Poor milage also. I put a small block 400 in mine and love it. Put a cam and manifold on it it will pull way more than the rest of the truck will handle. My father in law has a new 1 ton duramax and pulling the same trailor the old 400 will run off and leave it. Will burn a little fuel though.Git as big of radiator you can squeze in it.

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davpal

11-22-2006 00:05:39




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 Re: OT Chevy motor switch 305/454 in reply to Farm W/Junk, 11-21-2006 13:37:30  
Matt, If I could talk you out of swapping motors I sure would try on this one. I have done a lot of motor swaps and always wished I had stuck with the original type of motor after I was done. We have done small block chevy-jeep conversions, big block ford pickup swaps, big chevy-small chevy etc. One thing I learned from all of it is that , (except in the most extreme of motorsports) monster trucks, pro stock drag racing, a small block is usually much more powerful than a big block with even much more cubic inches. The big blocks unless properly prepared can be quite sluggish because of their tremendous recripricating mass. Piston, rods, and cranks are 50% heavier than a small block and rev much slower and more sluggish. We have a 87 chevy 1 ton with a 454 and the motor has had its share of problems over the years and is anything but "fast". It is not even close as lively as a strong 350. I have the same thing in a ford f-350 with a 460 fuel injected and it is about the same as the 454. They are both pretty sleepy! If you want a really STOUT motor find a vortec 350 out of a mid 90's pickup and put in a set of 1-5/8 headers, an rv cam and a nice dual plane intake with a 650 holley double pump carb and you will have a truck that screams power. No stock 454 will have close to the power you do. Remember, the 454 you are talking about is only about 230 horsepower. A good 350 can make that number look sick pretty easily. Then your motor will fit just like the 305 with no more weight and much more power. Most people only find all this out after they go through the trouble of putting in the big block. Trust me, the 350 is your friend. If you can find a 400 small block, better yet, although they get a little warm from the thin cylinder walls. Good luck.

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Allan In NE

11-22-2006 00:52:51




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 Re: OT Chevy motor switch 305/454 in reply to davpal, 11-22-2006 00:05:39  
I agree,

The only place those big blocks shine is when you need all that iron mass for lugging ability.

I too, would stay with the 350. Simple swap and instant rewards.

Allan



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OK-AL

11-21-2006 16:51:12




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 Re: OT Chevy motor switch 305/454 in reply to Farm W/Junk, 11-21-2006 13:37:30  
If the 454 is fuel injected ('87 was the first year for EFI in Chevy trucks), then you'll need the computer, wiring harness, fuel tank and lines from the donor truck.

If you don't care about the fuel injection, then you'll need an intake manifold with carburator and possibly an electric fuel pump. (I don't know what year they quit putting the fuel pump mount on the big blocks)

If the 454 is fuel injected an you want to switch to carburator, you'll also need a new distributor because the computor adjusted the timing on the '87 and the computer on the '84 probably will have wrong timing info.

Good luck,

OK-AL

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John A.

11-21-2006 15:53:45




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 Re: OT Chevy motor switch 305/454 in reply to Farm W/Junk, 11-21-2006 13:37:30  
Matt, The 305 uses the same mounts and mount brackets as a 350. The 454 came use the same mounts and brackes....BUT you will be changeing out mounnts ever 6 months or so. So since you have the the 1 ton doner, change the brackes and get new mounts. OBTW..... the brackets are what the monuts boltup to!
As the other said don't forget ro add anoter spring to help with the additional wt.
Later,
John A.

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JDDRIVER

11-21-2006 16:11:22




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 Re: OT Chevy motor switch 305/454 in reply to John A., 11-21-2006 15:53:45  
Never broke a motor mount once i put good ones in and zzitesyed em



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John A.

11-21-2006 19:46:32




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 Re: OT Chevy motor switch 305/454 in reply to JDDRIVER, 11-21-2006 16:11:22  
JDD, My 80 3/4 ton 4X4, came stock w/ a 350 and a 4 speed. The 350 puked at 35k miles but that is another story, We decided to change out to a 454 out of a wrecked 76 we had. The stock motor mounts never handled the bigger engine I was constanntly changeing mounts. I put regulary 30K a year on it, Hauling cattle in a 20 ft Gooseneck, or 16 ft bumper pull. Pullin 2 full 1000 gal NH3 (Anhydrous Ammonia) trailers to and from the field and our storage facility, Bustin snow drifts in the winter getting to yearling cattle out on wheat pasture. Yes I do work a truck.
In the same context my cousin found a 1 ton 4X4 with a 350, 4 speed, He simply changed the mounts for it was already a ton. He built a 454 to go in it. His truck never did have any mount problems. Mine always did. I ran my truck for 10 yrs so it is from personal experience.
Being we had a GM/JD dealer all in one we were always useing GM parts, They should have held up!
Anyway thst is my point and I still say change out the brackets and mounts while the engine is out it is easier to do it right the first time, than to have it break down on you later when you can least afford it, in $$$, and in Time. My $.02.
Later,
John A.

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Turtle

11-21-2006 15:43:39




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 Re: OT Chevy motor switch 305/454 in reply to Farm W/Junk, 11-21-2006 13:37:30  
I agree with the other folks but will add that the springs will sag with the extra weight. You might consider swapping those also. Only other item I'm not sure about would be the computer if your going to keep it wired up.



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Tim...Ok

11-21-2006 14:09:30




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 Re: OT Chevy motor switch 305/454 in reply to Farm W/Junk, 11-21-2006 13:37:30  
Yep everything will pretty much bolt right up,as said,you'll want the big block radiator,if the big block truck has good exhaust,you'll need that too...but if you can turn a wrench its a pretty straight forward deal..I've got an 82 c10 that was a 305 that I put a .060 over 454 in (538rwhp on the dyno)with a built th400..it's a fun toy.. I added 150hp worth of nitrous just for grins.

Tim



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Fun project

11-21-2006 13:57:49




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 Re: OT Chevy motor switch 305/454 in reply to Farm W/Junk, 11-21-2006 13:37:30  
Everything should switch over just fine. Take the radiator and everything with though. Enjoy, putting a big block in anything is always a good time!!



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