I have a 1968 Corvette roadster that I purchased sveral months ago. The car had been sitting for approx: 14 years. The guy that I bought it from had a motor , transmission & shifter for it. After I verified that it was a factory 427/390 horse car I agreed to purchase it. I have never been as frustrated as I am since the day that I bought it. I was excited. It has a no hit boduy with all original panels. That being said once I decided to start putting the car back together I ran into a ltany of problems. To start the 427 had been completely rebuilt however, I come to find out that it is a tall deck block. Out of a Chevy truck {still a built 427 but not the original motor}. There was one bolt broke off in the head so I had that done professionallly along with new head gaskets. After that I found that the transmission wouldn't line up with the shifter {hence the transmission was wrong}. I bought a new correct transmission and had that installed. I also bought a new shifter and linkage. I bought all new bumpers {every single one}, red line tires, a new top frame & soft top, carpet, and the car still has its original hard top as well. I think that I have spent at least $15k on parts with Corvette Central. The bad part is the car still isn't finish. The shop that has the car who is installing the motor says that the 427 Block in the car will sit up too high so I won't be able to use my factory hood. I think that I am going to have to put a L88 hood on the car now. I either need help resolving the issues with the car, someone to buy the car outright or someone to work on the car who knows what they are doing. I am willing to pay. I have been doing so since I bought it. It is a factory burgundy car that needs to be painted. call 314-497-9470 if you can add anything to help. Thanks Corvette family. I am in St.Louis Mo.

 

A tall deck block should not cause an interference with the hood. There is something like an 1/4" difference. The issue likely arises from intake manifold fitment. The Corvette requires a low rise manifold. I do not know of any low rise manifolds for that combination. There may be spacers available but that would have to be researched. I guess, after spending all the money that you have to this poiint, why not just get a different block and be done with it. The worst case scenario, you may have to purchase pistons since the tall deck would require special pistons.
Have you examined the motor enough to be sure that it is not equipped with the 4 ring truck pistons? If it is set up as a truck motor, it should not be used! Find out exactly what you have before you spend more money! It is way to easy to get in way too far! Let us know what you find in you motor.

 

Bummer...
I hope you didn't pay 'Numbers Matching' money for this car?

The truck block will be nothing but a nightmare- Dump it and take the money towards a correct car-based block. Don't change the car to fit the wrong motor, just cut your losses and get the correct motor.

 

I have a 68 with a built 454 out of a 1974 truck. It has a Torker 2, Holly 850 and 427 Hood. Not sure about the deck.

 

The 454 truck motor is likely from a pickup truck, the tall deck blocks were 427 blocks out of heavy duty big truck. Milk truck, school bus chassis and the like. The 454 would have the same dech height as the car engine.

 

A couple thoughts on your dilemma,a truck block could have a cast crank,try not to use it if you can find a forged (6223 crank would be good and not to much coin,about 300 to 400,thereis a post in parts for sale by "Dlvo4540 with 2 for sale)a6223 crank was used in 396ci and 427ci the differene being the third counter weight in a 396 crank is 7/16th and a 427 counter weight is 7/8ths.It's o.k. to use but I would suggest having the engine balanced.Next almost any 2 bolt 454 pss. car block will work and generally they can be brought for under 500 hundred.Then the heads on a truck engine may be peanut heads,not good for any kind of high r.p.m.,would suggest openport oval heads,this would give you a better choice of pistons,also allow you to control compression better.Lastly I don't know if the dizzy is the same in a tall deck.A 390 h.p. redlines mid 5000rpm and with a mild cam you can achive that on a moderate budget.Hope this is of some help.Mike

 

Thanks roadblock.

 

Get the car home
Take detailed pics and post them up here
Decide what you want to do with the car
Listen to the advice received here

It may be cheaper in the long run to by a well built std deck block with good internals

 

The tall blocks, not that many years ago, weren't desired for the above listed reasons. Therefore they could be had for not much money. When the stroked engine came into demand the tall blocks were a favored block for large inch engines.
I suspect you could sell the tall long block for enough to replace with a short 454. Like was said install a 6223 and get to where you want to be. I ubderstand, it sounds like you are past the point where you want to be on the road with it.
You have 15K in it already so it's hard to say buy the 454 and install it and go and then sell your tall deck. However, that would be the shortest trip to the road. The tall decks are easy to recognize at a glance, the 454 replacement would get you to a more original look.

 

Welcome, another StL C3
First, there's a lot of local C3 interest and expertese:
http://www.stlc3sharks.com/

 

this will solve the hood clearance

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...QEwBg&dur=8042

 

I'm just amazed how many people buy things they cannot work on and then complain about it! Yea you maybe got screwed maybe but you seen the car with the engine sitting there with the trans. Look you say your having a shop do all your work, why not have who will do the work look at these cars before you buy them?!!!! Cut your loss and sell the engine and buy one that fits!!

 

I'm really enthused when someone buys a car to work on, not so much when it turns into even more of a headache when it doesn't work right.

I add my voice the chorus that is singing a 454 block. A 427, if that's what you want is a 396 crank in a 454 block.... not hard to find those pieces at all. Of course, the while-your-at-its could strike, but to get out of where you're at isn't that terribly hard or even that expensive (relatively speaking).

Plus, tall blocks are still a desireable piece; heck I've no use for one now, but if one fell in my lap I'd be doing the happy dance

 

Yeppers...that's most cost effective solution.

 

The advice handed out here is very sound, but we dont have the emotional attachment to any of the money involved, so its easy for us to do.

If I were in your situation, I would also be upset and want to extract every cent out of all the parts I had. However, Im confident I would find another motor and sell off the tall deck motor.

I dare you to go on craigslist, and search "454" in auto parts. I guarantee you will find at least 1 engine out of a 1974-1990 truck for under $1000 that has 75k miles on it, and is presently in the vehicle for inspection to prove that it runs. A little cleaning, painting, and cam swap and you are in business.

 

I truly appreciate all of the advice that I have been given. Corvette forum is a God send. Thank you for your post & replies. The block number is 364776. Thehead casting # is 14092359
There is also additional #'s that are D11 77 And what looks to be MAR 1 S Z

Once again the information has been graciously received and thanks to all {even to those who have been critical of my lack of understanding}.

 

JAMES,...... we just spoke on the phone. I see there is 1 fellow who said there's a vette club by you. I would look into it soon. WK.

 

James, if you're interested in joining the StL C3 sharks, let me know. Due to spam, new members have been blocked from the board. But if you email me I'll contact the admin to get you on.
There really is a wealth of info and parts available locally. We even have a rocket scientist!
Gary

 

D11 77 is probably a casting date. Can't identify MAR 1 S Z.