Larry's 454SS

I bought this truck new in 1992. I was living in Canada at the time, so all the gauges are metric. I sold the truck to my son in 1998. He drove it for about 5 years and then parked it in his yard. It has sat there for about 10 years.

I have stripped the front clip off and pulled the drive train.

Right now it is in getting ladder bars and coil overs installed.

My son and I have not decided what to do with the engine yet. It looks like it is a good candidate for a rebuild, but crate motors are so cheap we are leaning that way.

James B.

iTrader: (1)

That's a cool truck, glad to see it getting restored.
What's wrong with the motor?

BigBlock90

iTrader: (4)

glad to see your gonna restore the truck and put it back on the road!! staying fuel injected or going carbed?

Larry's 454SS

The motor has 150,000 KM (just under 100k miles). We took a head off and there is no ridge, so all the cylinders would need is honing. It sat for 5 years, so I may need to get the crank polished. Won't know until we do a complete tear down.

To get any power out of it the old heads need to go and so does the intake.

It will be a question of dollars. What is the better bang for the buck.. a rebuild or a crate motor.

I am leaning towards FI and looking at port injection rather than TB. My biggest concerns is getting it emission tested and having a motor that is streetable.

jiar577

iTrader: (2)

I vote 6.0 swap + some sort of FI. Pick your poison.

Larry's 454SS

By a 6.0 swap do you mean the LSx?

I looked at that but there is something that seems sacrilegious putting a small block into an original big block truck.

I am sure it is the best bang for the buck, but I don't think I can bring my self to do it.

I do agree FI is the way to go.

BigBlock90

iTrader: (4)

ive had a couple different big block combo's in my 454ss and have grown tired of them. my current engine makes the power in my sig at the tires and i just pulled it out last weekend in favor of an LS/76mm turbo combo. its time for change...

if you werent so far off, id make you a killer deal on a whole engine ready to drop in and fire. it pulls 441rwhp/530rwtq on my truck on motor only

Jamie

Z71crawford

I 100% agree with you. If you do that, I would hope you would pull off the 454ss badges, unless of coarse you drop a 454lsx in it.
I think it will be worth more in the long run with the 454 BBC

Larry's 454SS

Working on the rear suspension. The leaf springs are off and Morrison coil over ladder bars are going in. The rear frame rails are boxed in and a second cross member was added to stiffen up the frame.

The frame was not narrowed, but once the coil overs are in there will be enough room for an 11 inch tire back there. Of course the box will need minor mods if we are to put wider tires on.

The truck should be back home late this week.

Larry's 454SS

Ladder bars in. Coil overs next and then I will bring it home.

It has a heavy duty Chevy rear end. I have been told it takes away about 70 HP.

Anyone else heard this? I am thinking about swapping this out for a Chevy 12 bolt.