The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop thinking about big block chevy

I am thinkng about building a hipower 402/427/454
for my 69 3/4 ton I know the M465 trany is plenty strong enuff but what about the stock rear end?
should I be looking for 14 bolt? is hard to put newer axles under coil spring Trucks?
also could I get as much power, cheeper in a small block?

the stock rearend will be fine. you will never get enough traction to hurt it unless you tub it.i have a 500 cad engine in mine.

How much power do you want? Ultimately you can make more power with more cubic inches, and making a small block big costs a lot of money.

But if you're just after a strong reliable motor on a budget, parts are cheaper for the small block.

Look at magazine ads from someone like PAW. You'll see that small block Chevy parts are far less expensive than BBC performance and rebuild parts.

Which is cheaper will depend on how far you want to go, and what you have to pay for the base motor as you get started. I paid $150 for one 454 and got my second (which is actually a better motor) free. I'm pretty sure running either of them is going to cost more than using a small block would, unless I manage some fantastic deals.

It is a matter of personal desire. I put a big-block in my old truck just because it was different. I had always built small-blocks (since the '60s) and just wanted to do a big-block.

It does cost more but, on the other hand, it doesn't take nearly as much modification to make good power. I'm not talking about winning races here, but about good, strong, tractable power for a truck that is driven on a regular basis. The kind that sets you back in the seat at low RPM.

My biggest problem with the conversion has been cooling. Big blocks make a lot of heat, and will need a good cooling system. You should have no problem with your truck- you've got lots of room for a big radiator and aux fans if you need it.