Author Topic: Looking to rebuild/upgrade my '79 454  (Read 2673 times)

Offline yzrider

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Looking to rebuild/upgrade my '79 454
« on: May 09, 2013, 02:21:01 AM »
I've got a '79 c30 with a 454/sm465 combo in a crew cab dually.  Its got roughly 150k on it or so and runs absolutely amazing.  I want to rebuild it/freshen it up though as it is burning some oil on start up.  I figure new rings, get the heads redone, new bearings, and new gaskets at a minimum.  Plus fresh ignition parts as well. 

I love the power delivery of the motor, I love how it pulls from idle cleanly but more power is always welcome.  Since rebuilding it anyway I know there's some easy power to be found.  What would you guys suggest?  Im not against even a new set of heads or anything I just dont want to put together a mis matched set of parts and lose the clean delivery it has now.

I was thinking since the compression is so low stock maybe just a piston swap, and headers would see a nice increase in power for a cheap investment.  I would do some port work/matching on the heads and intake too since that costs nothing. 

Anyway im just typing away I know alot of you guys are way more knowledgeable than I am so any input is much appreciated! 

Offline Engineer

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Re: Looking to rebuild/upgrade my '79 454
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2013, 11:57:09 AM »
Look for a set of 049, or 781 casting heads. A slight bump in compression would help. Speed Pro H426P pistons complement the 353049 heads very well.

Drop in an RV cam, and maybe a QUALITY brand of headers and you'll think you have 2 454s under the hood. (The '79 454 really wasn't impressive stock) Stay with the stock carb, and intake, or get a factory high rise dual plane Q-jet set up and you'll be happy X2
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

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Offline dalefan613

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Re: Looking to rebuild/upgrade my '79 454
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2013, 11:56:44 PM »
I have a 75 454 turbo 400 I put an rv cam roller rockers a performer manifold and a holley 800 it does rolling burnouts an no headers