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SOLD!
Today I ran the 454 my 72 came with for the last time. The new engine is already halfway done at the machine shop. Gotta make room for it!
Anyone want/need a complete 454? Carb to water pump to oil pan to distrib. What's a reasonable price? $1500 or make offer. Runs good, just don't know anything about the build.Or the mileage. Car has 102K, motor obviously a lot less, the car was "restored" around 1980. Or more likely rebuilt from an accident. Runs good, quiet, good oil pressure, doesn't smoke, starts easily, but never had it over 20 mph due to diff issues.
1973 Q-Jet & Manifold, 1972 Oval port heads, 1973 or 1978 361959 block, can't read the last digit well. I am beginning the engine extraction now, and will have compression readings and borescope inspection soon. Engine should be out of the car within a couple weeks. Heads are 3999241 with L-71 and A-72 dates. Carb is a 1973 70432 made by Carter, OEM, D3 = April 73 Mfgr date. Manifold also 73 EGR intake, 336789 Sept 73 date. Mallory Dual Point Tach drive distrib = 2648201
Heavy (duh!) I'm in NJ near Philly.
Link:
I wouldn't take it too far apart Lee, just enough to verify numbers perhaps. I'd post lots of pictures and engine pad as well if NOM. Might be someone looking for that engine for their car.
Good luck with your sale.
David
Here is some information I found on the 361959 block Lee. I hope you and others find it helpful.
Years and Specs
Chevrolet produced casting number 361959 from 1973 to 1990, making it one of the most common of all 454-block engines. This engine was an option on 1973 to 1975 Chevelles, and was used in a number of other full-sized Chevrolet passenger cars through 1976. Although 1976 was the last year the 454 ever saw passenger car duty, this big block engine came in a number of GM trucks all the way up through 1990.
Horsepower
From 1973 to 1976, the 361959-block engine produced between 270 and 275 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The power dropped precipitously during the 1970s and early 1980s, from 240, to 210, 200 and finally to 190 horsepower by 1982. The old big block received electronic fuel injection in 1990, boosting its power output to between 230 horsepower and 385 foot-pounds of torque, to 255 horsepower and 405 foot-pounds of torque. The Vortec 7400 that came to replace it in 1996 produced 290 horsepower and 410 foot-pounds of torque.
Features
Block casting number 361959 came with either two- or four-bolt main bearing caps, but almost invariably came with a cast crankshaft and dished pistons. This engine used oval-port cylinder heads and dished pistons almost exclusively after 1984; prior applications could use either oval or casting number 236 "peanut" port heads. Peanut port heads came with slightly domed pistons (primarily to compensate for their enormous 113 cc combustion chambers). Compression ratios varied between 7.8 and 8.1 to one.
Dimensions
The 454 was an over-square engine, meaning that the cylinder bore (4.251 inches) was larger than the stroke (4.00 inches) for a bore/stroke ratio of 1.06 to one. This over-square design was fairly unusual for such a large displacement engine and helped to contribute to the big block's high rpm power potential. The 454 crankshaft used 2.75-inch main journals and 2.20-inch rod journals. The 454 big blocks used 6.135-inch rods, giving them a 1.53 to one rod/stroke ratio.
The block is not a Corvette block. Maybe. Wrong year (78) Unless I can't read that date code well enough and it is really a 73 date. Then it could be one. Once I get it out I'll clean that area up a little bit and then we'll see.
I am confident the heads are the original 1972 Corvette heads from my car (Jan 1972 date).
The carb and intake are correct part numbers for a 73 Vette 454. The pad stamping has the code & numbers for my car, but the stamping is so fake it would not fool a 5th grader! I take that to mean it has been rebuilt, plus the heads and their lack of steel spring hat retainers.
I obviously have no idea on 2 or 4 bolt, and cast or forged crank. Once it is out I'll check that. I'll run a compression test soon and a borescope to see if I can tell piston dome type. Those 2 things could give us an indication of the compression. It does look pretty clean under the valve covers.
The camshaft is another big unknown, all I can tell you is that it idles like a stocker.
Thanks for looking!
A 1970's period correct 454 LS6 with 10.5 CR and snowflake alum heads, all correct part numbers but not correct dates. Correct down to solid lifter cam and correct Holley.
The engine sold yesterday to a guy named Dan about 10 miles from me. He is even going to stop by one day and help me pull it out, which I am glad to get the help for. (30 years ago this would have been easier). I was glad he was able to hear it run. He is a fellow C3 comrade, he is restoring another 72, a BB with AC and 4spd, PS PB. Supposed to be Bridgehampton Blue. He was the perfect customer because he needs all the extra bits that went with the engine. And he is savy enough to pull it all apart and double check it, re-seal, and re-cam it. I didn't know the history of that engine, and I didn't want to do all that work myself, just to sell it. I also introduced him to the forum, so you may see him on here soon. If I spot him I'll introduce you and you can say hello!
If any one has a spare Muncie trans, he needs one. Let me know and I'll pass it along.
Glad to hear you sold it. Never had a big block, someday.
Feel free to pass my info on to your engine buyer on the Muncie. I do have a complete set up pedals, shifter, shifter plate, trans linkage, everything. I'll have to check on shipping, but I don't think it would be a deal breaker, I can help with it. I have had it awhile and my family’s cars all have good transmissions. Trying to lighten my load and should sell it.
Thanks,
Jim
Last edited by 70s Vette Guy; 07-14-2019 at 07:02 PM.
Feel free to pass my info on to your engine buyer on the Muncie. I do have a complete set up pedals, shifter, shifter plate, trans linkage, everything.
Jim
Does that include the trans also, as well as all the other bits?
Lee
07-11-2019, 06:51 PM
454 for sale
