There is an 86 Chevy Dually I'm trying to get my hands on and I was wondering about the 454 that is in the truck.

Would it be a good engine to build for performance?

I know you have some low torque engines but wouldn't that be because of the heads,cam etc?

I'm really wanting to put this thing in a third gen, 454 and the TH400 tranny.

 

It's a good starting point for a buildup. As with any performance build, factory parts are only good if you want a factory engine. Camshaft and intake swap are the easiest ways to make more power. The heads should still be standard oval port heads. A bit of port work and they'll do fine for a mild engine. You could spend some extra money and get some 2.19/1.88 valves installed. Aftermarket heads are much better and the cost of some aluminum oval port heads is very affordable.

Exhaust is your worst nightmare. There is no inexpensive way to do the exhaust for a BBC swap into a third gen.

 

I've heard horror stories about clearing the headers on these cars, how would I go about that?

 

The Hooker Supercomp swap headers are the cheapest way to go. They're good for stock or mild build engines. Although they're not a perfect fit, it doesn't take much to make them work.

You might find a used set in the classified section or on Ebay from time to time. Jegs has them listed for $520

 

thier easy to install fit good to

 

'86 is peanut port. No point in bigger valves.
But a year or 2 ago there was a build, with domed pistons to get the compression up from the stock 7.9:1 up over 9:1, a Chinese version of the RPM AirGap large-oval, a Comp XE268H10 cam, and headers. It did about 445 HP at 4900, about 540 TQ at 3500, and they stopped at 5500 with just over 410 TQ. Seems good to me, for peanut ports with stock size 2.065" / 1.725" valves.
Alternately, find some old 396 / 402 heads. They have the large-oval ports, smaller chambers for more compression with your probable flat-top pistons, and would like larger valves with porting. Use those for the above combo, and I'd think you'd be getting more power and more revs.

 

James,
I think a good starting point given the age of the truck would be to get the casting numbers off the rear of the block which are above the flywheel area.You can use a mirror and some carb cleaner to get to see what that is.You want to be sure it is a 54 and then post those numbers to see exactly what it is.Trust when buying a running engine who ya shave every day.If this deal doesn't work out for you,another source for 54's is RV's,but much harder to get them out.Looking forward to a update from you.

 

Will do I'll let you know asap, I should have the truck home by tonight.

Although I did have to trade another Third Gen for this truck I have a back-up lol.

 

any updates

 

The engine is still in the truck, I've been so busy tryin to make a livin I just haven't gotton around to doin the swap :/

 

i have a 1988 rs but i took out the v6 and put in a 454 bbc and a 4 core and that has 3 fans on it two 15's and a 12" and it still over heats i have changed out the thermostat to a 160degree from a 195 dagree and im running 97 octine and it still over heats only after 4 miles .... how can i get it to cool down to 200 i need some help on this .....

 

bump

 

hell ya i burn my tires in 3rd gear XD

 

lol

 

i was doing 60 tho XP