Thinking GMT400 3500 Dually for Track Day Towing, Thoughts?

[HotWheelsBurban]

this is accurate 88-90 square body and 88-90 gmt400 454 old valve covers 91-95 gmt400 and I think 91 square body 454 being gen v and mark iv have the valve covers you are talking about I have never seen a gen vi 454 vortec in person but from videos and pictures the valve covers are the same as gen v only no more oil fill and the fined section is also black

The last two yard trips I've made, IIRC there was a 7.4 equipped truck in each yard. I'll have to get some pictures if they are still there when I go again. The NE side yard has more space so they leave vehicles longer, but the one closest to me has 31 rows of trucks, all in one section. The NE side yard has 5 or 6 sections but they're each smaller and they're all up front.

 

[the_elegant_fox]

The older generation 454 had the stamped steel valve covers on it, like the engine you pictured from this truck. All the 454/7.4 engines I've seen in the 400 trucks from the factory, have the cast aluminum valve covers, usually painted black with the tops of the fins machined off so they're silver. And the later engines have some smog control lines that are absent on the older ones.
So it seems to me, that some previous owner pulled the 6.5 when they couldn't get it fixed, and dropped a random "454" in its place.
With enough time,$$ and dedication this could still be a very capable combination. You'll have to decide if you like the rest of the truck enough to deal with it.....

Yeah, the body and frame are in fantastic shape being a southern truck it's whole life. I guess another question would be which 454 version would make the most sense for a .30 over/cam/carb? Or is that what anyone would throw at a block and the gen doesn't matter?

 

[Supercharged111]

this is accurate 88-90 square body and 88-90 gmt400 454 old valve covers 91-95 gmt400 and I think 91 square body 454 being gen v and not mark iv have the valve covers you are talking about I have never seen a gen vi 454 vortec in person but from videos and pictures the valve covers are the same as gen v only no more oil fill and the fined section is also black

No oil fill, breather is on passenger side, no Tonawanda stickers.

 

[Supercharged111]

Yeah, the body and frame are in fantastic shape being a southern truck it's whole life. I guess another question would be which 454 version would make the most sense for a .30 over/cam/carb? Or is that what anyone would throw at a block and the gen doesn't matter?

Could only be a MarkIV or GenVI crate if it has a mechanical fuel pump. So most likely MarkIV.

 

[99xcss4]

okay a mark iv 454 70-90 70-86 carb 2pc rms 87-90 tbi with adapter 2pc rms 91-95 big changes still tbi with different 1pc rms casting changes made with water jackets so you can not put old bbc or newer bbc heads on a gen v block not set up manual trans gen vi/454 vortec 96-00 still 1pc rms more changes fuel system now mpfi roller cam better heads water jackets changed back to be able to use mark iv heads provissions for manual transmission return

 

[99xcss4]

here is a page on the big block it starts with the w series and ends with the gen vii 8.1l 496 vortec 8100 you are going to want to read the mark iv gen v and gen vi sections https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_big-block_engine

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

here is a page on the big block it starts with the w series and ends with the gen vii 8.1l 496 vortec 8100 you are going to want to read the mark iv gen v and gen vi sections https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_big-block_engine

Very interesting, I learned a bunch of stuff!

 

[99xcss4]

Very interesting, I learned a bunch of stuff!

yeah there is some good info there but if you ask me and the op has the budget for it he asked what 454 to start with I would say none get the gm ht502 crate engine if that is too much then I would say get a vortec 454 and put what ever fuel system you want on it

 

[the_elegant_fox]

Ah nice, that 502 looks built for towing. Regardless, I'll still need to figure out the wiring to the gauge cluster

 

[99xcss4]

Ah nice, that 502 looks built for towing. Regardless, I'll still need to figure out the wiring to the gauge cluster

yeah I would love to put that ht502 crate in my project and run it with the 454 tbi but that just is not some thing that is going to happen maybe if I am lucky one I may get a 454 vortec from a yard and run it on tbi