[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

Mains are all the same. A 454 crank won't swing in some 396 blocks.

[Peepaw]

Oh....also found out the heads have the 1.88 exhaust valve as well. I knew it had the larger intake, the 2.19, but I just got confirmation about the 1.88 exhaust valve.

He is trying to dig up the flow sheets on the ported "head" for me.

[Peepaw]

Originally Posted by BOBCRMAN@aol.com

Mains are all the same. A 454 crank won't swing in some 396 blocks.

But since I have the 402, Im ok? And I guess you are saying that the 396 blocks, you can put a 4.00 crank in, just need to clearance it for the crank throws, right?

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

I agree that the "How to Hotrod Big block Chevies" is a good book for basic knowledge on this engine.

The first editions have my old dragster featured.

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

Correct. Do you know the casting date of your block? 396-402 blocks are sometimes the same. Depends on years. Early 396 blocks are not relieved under the cylinders. For stroke clearance.

[1971BB427]

If you start talking a 454 crank in a 402, then you're opening up all sorts of changes. Of course you'll be pulling the engine, as a crank change would be an ugly task under the car! You'll also need a different flexplate and balancer, as the 454 crank requires external balance. As Bob mentioned, the block may need clearancing too, even in a 402.
454's are so cheap that it's not worth messing up your 402. You can sell a 402 for much more than you can buy a good 454, so sell it and build a 454. I'm going out today to pick up the 454 I bought for my next project. I gave $500 for a low mileage 454, with 4 bolt mains, radiator, and all the accessories I want off the truck. I see 454's in the local CL in good running shape for $500 or less every week. I rarely see 396/402 engines, and when I do they get twice that, even if they need a rebuild.
If you want something really nice/different (IMHO) get a 454 and drop a 396/402/427 crank in it, and have a true 427. They are my favorite of all the BBC engines with their large bore and shorter stroke, plus internal balancing. I'd do it with the 454 I'm getting, but it's a great runner, and I want to keep the budget down.

[vinniekq2]

do what 427 said
fix the heads you have,decent street roller,850, holley,single plane intake,run high 11s if your car can handle the power

[454C10]

102 mph in a 4400 pound truck (4200 truck with a 200 pound driver) means around 365 hp.

The easiest way to add 100 hp is with a little 100HP shot of n02. Plus you would not need to change the stall.

Does the truck have a limited slip diff?

[vinniekq2]

I see 4400 pounds and 102 mph just under 400 hp,the engine is working ok,should run 13s

[454C10]

Most hp from 1/4 trap speed calculators say 365. I saw a couple say 400 but I tend to throw out the out-lyers. the classic formula: weight x (trap/234)^3 also indicates 365. The question is, is that wheel or crank hp?

This one says 365 crank and 328 wheel hp, which doesn't seem to be enough losses from the crank to the wheels . 1/4 mile ET / HP / MPH Visual Calc

[Peepaw]

Originally Posted by BOBCRMAN@aol.com

Correct. Do you know the casting date of your block? 396-402 blocks are sometimes the same. Depends on years. Early 396 blocks are not relieved under the cylinders. For stroke clearance.

NO, not sure of casting date...how can I tell? I know it's original to this Truck though, with a manufacturer date of 5/72, so I know it was made on or well before May of 72

[Peepaw]

Originally Posted by 1971BB427

If you start talking a 454 crank in a 402, then you're opening up all sorts of changes. Of course you'll be pulling the engine, as a crank change would be an ugly task under the car! You'll also need a different flexplate and balancer, as the 454 crank requires external balance. As Bob mentioned, the block may need clearancing too, even in a 402.
454's are so cheap that it's not worth messing up your 402. You can sell a 402 for much more than you can buy a good 454, so sell it and build a 454. I'm going out today to pick up the 454 I bought for my next project. I gave $500 for a low mileage 454, with 4 bolt mains, radiator, and all the accessories I want off the truck. I see 454's in the local CL in good running shape for $500 or less every week. I rarely see 396/402 engines, and when I do they get twice that, even if they need a rebuild.
If you want something really nice/different (IMHO) get a 454 and drop a 396/402/427 crank in it, and have a true 427. They are my favorite of all the BBC engines with their large bore and shorter stroke, plus internal balancing. I'd do it with the 454 I'm getting, but it's a great runner, and I want to keep the budget down.

Well, I know te 454 stuff is cheap. In fact, I called 2 guys last night...one guy has a 4 bolt 454, JUST the block...wants $300. The other guy has a 2 bolt block, with crank, wants $300. One was fresh machine job, punched .030 over, but ended up outside, so obviously needs more machine work.

BUt here is the thing: Im an oddball, and I don't care for mainstream stuff. It's why after SBF stuff got stupid popular, I hopped over to the LSx stuff. Now, the LSx stuff is all you hear about, and is why I'm hopping off that train (well, for my own personal stuff).
Now, the Mopar camp, when I jumped ship to SBF from it, it was only because I was a starving college kid, and the 5.0 was CHEAP compared to my Mopar (think, late 80's/early 90's), and dollar for dollar, NOTHING was touching the 5.0.

SO, everyone hears BBC, and whats the first thing out of their mouth? Yep, 454.
Be it as it may, I may still go that route, but would actually like to do something different.

Oh, I never really thought about bringing this up...I'm not a newbie around cars and stuff...just a newbie to the BBC stuff. I have been at this for 27+ years now...I ran Street 5.0 (think naturally aspirated 310 cubic inch limit, .550" limit cams, iron heads, dual plane intake 650CFM carb, 11.50s @ 118 in early 90's), graduated to Outlaw 5.0 mid 1990's (think high 8's @ 150+ 360" limit, blower, turbo, Nitrous, 10.5" tire, C4 or C6 trans only)
So, I know my way around the car (run/own a performance shop...just only handle what I KNOW, and while I have put on a BBC intake here, did BBC headers there, I haven't torn into a BBC...

I guess I should've made that more clear in the beginning.

PS: I did my first cylinder head swap, on my Uncle's '71 Challenger, when I was 13...or, 27 years ago.

[Peepaw]

Originally Posted by vinniekq2

do what 427 said
fix the heads you have,decent street roller,850, holley,single plane intake,run high 11s if your car can handle the power

This is prob the route I am taking, short term. Plop a plate on it, hit her with a 150+ shot, and see what we come up with. By then, some stickies will have found a home out back, and maybe we can get Old Yeller (her nickname) to bust off a low 11 to mid 11. Figure if I can get motor to make 450-475...hit it with some giggle gas...call it 550-600, should have NO problem running low 11's. Plenty stout for a street truck.

[Peepaw]

Originally Posted by 454C10

102 mph in a 4400 pound truck (4200 truck with a 200 pound driver) means around 365 hp.

The easiest way to add 100 hp is with a little 100HP shot of n02. Plus you would not need to change the stall.

Does the truck have a limited slip diff?

It's got a posi in it. If and when I grenade the 12 bolt, a Dana 60 will end up out back.


Oh...Im thinking more along the lines of 150+...

[Peepaw]

Funny thing is, not much in the way of losing weight on these trucks...no pwr windows, or locks, no radio, etc...Basically, heat and AC...I'll lose the AC, but keep the heat.

Here is my plan:
stabbing a bigger cam in it, would probably assume roller at that (staying hydraulic though).
Single plane, Vic Jr probably.
850, 4150 (mechanical secondaries)
Leave 11" converter in it, see how we roll.
Add drag radials, cut a coil or so out back (she is a** high right now)
2 chamber flows (GOT to have the right sound)
I will even leave heads as is for time being.
Add a elec fuel pump, return style fuel system/regulator
Stock fuel tank...not sure, as I haven't looked to see where pickup is in it...,but sump the stock tank, with #8 feed, #6 return
Plop the plate on it, and hit it with the gas.
That combo, should make for a very respectable street truck.

Down the road, I am sure I will add cubes to it, one way or the other..stroke current setup, or go 454 route...who knows.