Pinging

[Captainfab]

An 8.1 conversion would not be simple or cheap. I agree with the possibility of finding a good running 454.

[Pvmt-Pndr]

I figured if I could stuff a 460 into a 52 Willys pickup i could make about anything fit anywhere. I've decided against doing the 8.1 swap. Though my 427 hasn't run right since the day I bought it it had great power down low and in the mid range. I have no idea what kind of power she makes at the top end though. I'll be doing a stock rebuild with it. What I've read about the way these engines pulled heavy weights back in their day I hope I don't have any problems with towing my light 20k pound load at modern speeds.

Now would it make any sense for me to slap a 4.25" crank into it without making any other changes to the engine? I'll be pulling it anyways.

[cadillac_al]

I don't think it will be cheap to rebuild this engine because those huge heavy pistons aren't all that common any more. I could be wrong. You won't be able to find truck pistons to use a 4.25 crank. I don't know about modern speeds either. You might get 70 mph out of it wide open. Those peanut port 454's are low compression truck engines too, made for towing, and they are very common. Good luck either way.

[Pvmt-Pndr]

I've found a master rebuild kit for under a grand. I called to confirm that they were in fact 4 ring pistons and they are. I figured if it was possible to throw a 4.25" crank into it without making any other changes why not go for a few more cubic inches, what ci would that make it, 454? 427 tall decks are the same rebuild kit from 68-85 so they're not all that uncommon. Here's a link to the kit I've been looking at http://www.northernautoparts.com/part/ek-ek1199

I plan to change the rear gears after I get the engine settled. Gears were going to be next until this wrench got thrown in the mix. The numbers I have figured are 78 mph at 3200 or 83 at 3200 depending on what gear set I decide on.

I appreciate the help.

[YoungPup1977]

Originally Posted by Pvmt-Pndr

I've found a master rebuild kit for under a grand. I called to confirm that they were in fact 4 ring pistons and they are. I figured if it was possible to throw a 4.25" crank into it without making any other changes why not go for a few more cubic inches, what ci would that make it, 454? 427 tall decks are the same rebuild kit from 68-85 so they're not all that uncommon. Here's a link to the kit I've been looking at http://www.northernautoparts.com/part/ek-ek1199

I plan to change the rear gears after I get the engine settled. Gears were going to be next until this wrench got thrown in the mix. The numbers I have figured are 78 mph at 3200 or 83 at 3200 depending on what gear set I decide on.

I appreciate the help.

If you slap a 4.25 stroke crank in it with stock pistons from Northern, what do you think your deck height will be with those pistons ?

[Pvmt-Pndr]

Originally Posted by YoungPup1977

If you slap a 4,25 stroke crank in it with stock pistons from Northern, what do you think your deck height will be with those pistons ?

I have absolutely no idea, that's why I was asking. I'm far from an engine builder

[YoungPup1977]

Originally Posted by Pvmt-Pndr

I have absolutely no idea, that's why I was asking. I'm far from an engine builder

Read post number 28 again. pay attention to the 3rd sentence....

[Pvmt-Pndr]

Originally Posted by YoungPup1977

Read post number 28 again. pay attention to the 3rd sentence....

Thanks, obviously I read a little too fast. Stock rebuild it is. Thanks for the help

[geezer#99]

Sure hope you’re gonna do the full rebuild including a hot tank of the bare block and heads.

[YoungPup1977]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Sure hope you’re gonna do the full rebuild including a hot tank of the bare block and heads.

What I see is there are several different definitions of a full rebuild.
Resizing the rods is as important as cleaning the block. It’s all part of the rebuild process. Cleaning the block is very very important but why single out cleaning the block. What carb ? What’s the initial timing GUY !!!

[Pvmt-Pndr]

You are right with most guys that's for sure! Me on the other hand not so much. Half the reason I have the C60 is to pull her 72 K10 on 2.5 ton Rockwells with 50" tractor tires. The other half is I love the way it looks.

[geezer#99]

Full rebuild isn’t the catch phrase!
Hot tank is.
If you don’t clean it out completely you’ll be spending way more money in the next rebuild.

[YoungPup1977]

Originally Posted by Pvmt-Pndr

You are right with most guys that's for sure! Me on the other hand not so much. Half the reason I have the C60 is to pull her 72 K10 on 2.5 ton Rockwells with 50" tractor tires. The other half is I love the way it looks.

Now we are getting into the high tech part. Lol!!!
Good luck to you !!

[Pvmt-Pndr]

Aside from a stock rebuild and an assumption that it's going to need bore anyways it'll go to the machine shop most likely after I check the cylinders. If the cylinders check out to be good I have a hot tank here at work.

[sweetk30]

i purchased a c-10 1978 suburban and drove it home . ran great until passing gear then it would pop up threw the carb a little .

pulled the valve covers and intake on the 454 as i know it was a bad cam . sure thing 5 flat exhaust lobes .

engine is sitting on the stand for the project its for and under it is a brand new comp cams full conversion kit for roller cam .

[Captainfab]

To answer your question regarding the 4.25" crank. Assuming you could get pistons for that stroke in a tall deck block (I think you can), they would be 3 ring pistons. This would give you 489 CI @ .030 over or 496 ci @ .060 over. Basically the same size as the 8.1 you mentioned earlier in this thread.

I know you have decided to stay with a stock 427 rebuild. I just wanted to answer your question.

[Pvmt-Pndr]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

To answer your question regarding the 4.25" crank. Assuming you could get pistons for that stroke in a tall deck block (I think you can), they would be 3 ring pistons. This would give you 489 CI @ .030 over or 496 ci @ .060 over. Basically the same size as the 8.1 you mentioned earlier in this thread.

I know you have decided to stay with a stock 427 rebuild. I just wanted to answer your question.

Thank you

[sweetk30]

but the med / heavy duty engine with tall deck were designed for the 2nd oil control ring = 4 ring piston to help with oil control so you didn't loose as much oil under heavy working conditions . so dropping to a 3 ring and still working it hard you might start fouling spark plugs and getting lots of blow by and oil use .

[Pvmt-Pndr]

I took that into consideration very heavily and that's a big reason why I concluded sticking with a stock rebuild to retain the 4 ring pistons.

I was spit balling ideas for knowledge and potential possibilities. I appreciate everyone's input.

About the only plan I have is to clean up the runners. I'll make the engine look pretty and clean up under the hood while I'll have full access to it with the motor out of the way. The only exception I'm still seriously contemplating is a roller cam. I don't need it, for the amount of miles I'll ever put on this truck I doubt I'll have to do this again but it still sounds like a good idea anyway. Before i say I'm going to do anything for sure though I'm going to get the engine out and torn down to see what surprises await. The truck is a 69 with a 72 engine. I know absolutly nothing about the history of it so it could have well over 80k the truck has on it or well under.