Hello bolters when I first got my truck running I said to myself I should just drive it til it blows up then put a V8 in it. Well I loaded the 454 in the back of my panel truck and attempted a 250 mile trip from San Jose,CA to Cottonwood, CA were my buddy with a garage lives, its between Red Bluff and Redding. After 100 miles @65mph I was starting to feel guilty about replacing the old reliable 235 when I heard this load grinding noise! Yup the 235 died sounds like the timing chain broke. I almost made it,I had past all Bay Area traffic and hills and had about 100 miles to go on flat HWY 5 but I guess the added weight and my heavy foot were to much for the old motor. I was not to disapointed since I planned to do the motor swap anyway. Now I think I should beef up the front suspension. Does anyone know what kind of springs and or shakles I should use that will hold up the added weight of the 454?
