The Stovebolt Site Forums Project Journals Completed Journals 1966 Chevy C-10 Short Stepside -- Step by Step

I decided the C10 was finally ready for an engine & transmission. As I said at the beginning of this thread, I had acquired an old RV with a 454 engine A '92 model, which meant it was a Generation V 7.4L/454 cu in one ton truck engine. The up side to the Gen V eng is the one piece rear main seal . The downside is no provision for mechanical fuel pump or boss on left side of block for mechanical clutch linkage. Most hot rodders do not like the small (peanut) port heads that came on this model. But the internet reports I've read say they make good low to mid range power, which is perfect for my application. My goal is to have a smooth, lively powerplant that pulls good vacuum at idle & runs well from idle to 5000/5200 rpm. In short I wanted good low end torque with decent, usable hp.

To help achieve this, I've done away with the TBI & installed a Weiand 8122 aluminum intake w/a Edelbrock 750 cfm carb. Removing the TBI required a different distributor as well. For this, I used a Jegs (house brand) R2R (ready to run) unit. This is an electronic unit, but uses a standard 40,000 volt coil rather than a separate ECM. Also, it has small dia distributor cap which really helps firewall clearance when installing the BBC in a"66 C10. Especially when using the stock "66 rear motor mounts.

Due to the low zinc content of today's mainstream engine oil's, I read a lot of reports of wiped cams from guys who had installed high performance flat tappet cams in the 454. My Gen V engine came with the flat tappet cam, but the Gen VI came with a roller cam. Gm sold (up to just recently) a Gen VI 454 high output (425 hp@ 5200 rpm) crate engine . I managed to find a new take out HO roller cam from a hi performance Chevy dealer online (Pace Chevrolet) for half price. The Gen V cant use the Gen VI roller lifters, but I managed to find a set of Morel street rollers (up to 6000 rpm) on year end clearance, I could use the Gen Vi HO pushrods , Pace had a set of those on sale as well. I used Comp Cam rotater eliminators, CompCam retainers & CompCam.050 off set locks. It only took a minute or so to type the above, but took about a month of research & then measuring of everything. This cam was about the most hi performance I could've used without cutting the valve reliefs in the pistons & probably machining the tops of the valve guides.

Since the engine ran so well when I had it running in the RV (And since I was already in sticker shock at my monthly credit card bills) I was determined to not dis-assemble the eng if I didn't have too. I knew if the heads came off the engine due to the cam install, mission creep would set in & the expenses would greatly increase.

A few pics below. Sorry, I didn't take photos of the cam install & valve train upgrades.

To be continued