350 to 454 SWAP

[BigCountry09]

hey there. Ive got a 1982 SWB 2wd...body....that i put on a 78 4wd frame. Ive also got a 84 1-ton 4wd with a running 454. I pulled the old 350 out of the 78 frame and would like to put the 454 in its place. i called around a few shops and they gave me prices from $500-$1500 for labor. I think thats crazy myself. Ive got plenty of common sense and could probably handle it myself but im not sure. Any suggestions??

[GM-power]

Does the 350 run? I also assume the 454 is tbi?
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[gchemist]

Swap the motor mounts and it bolts right in. You'll need all the accessories with the BB. You must also use the BB cooling system. Especially the radiator.

Welcome to the site.

[East End K5]

Originally Posted by gchemist

Swap the motor mounts and it bolts right in. You'll need all the accessories with the BB. You must also use the BB cooling system. Especially the radiator.

Welcome to the site.

I too am doing the same thing. I posted a thread but nobody here could give me an answer. The problem changing motor mounts on a 4wd frame may be a task. The perches where the motor mounts bolt to, are only big enough for a small block motor mount. the big block motor mounts are too long. I am going to the dealer tomorrow to see if the perches are different. Otherwise I'm gonna use the small block mounts....

[86c20]

i put a 454 in my c30 and the monts where the same. i think all the monts are the same for chevy but i am not sure

[gchemist]

Originally Posted by 86c20

i put a 454 in my c30 and the monts where the same. i think all the monts are the same for chevy but i am not sure

Actually they are the same. It's the perches that need to move. The frame should have the holes there. If I remember correctly, my perches had the BB holes in them.

[BigCountry09]

Next thing I'm worried about is the TH350 tranny gonna hold up? And thanks for the welcome! Who needs a manual when you got this place? I love it!
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[86c20]

i think it will if it is a real 350 not a 275 but you will be on barrowed time. will need to be built up or a 400 put in

[BigCountry09]

This is def what u would call a "budget build" I've got 2 little girls and a extra full time job. I've traded old trailers and random stuff combined with a little cash here and there. I've got the tranny that was on the business end of the 454 but it needs a rebuild. Might have to just save up for that. I really appreciate everybody's 2 cents for sure. I know where to go now with questions. Thanks again
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[baclay9]

I just put a 454 in my 84' half ton that had a 350 in it. You just need the "clam Shell" motor mounts that bolt to the 454 block. The motor mounts on the frame are the same. There is no great mystery to dropping a BB in one of these trucks. It will fit right in.

[BigCountry09]

Ok. I gotcha. Well I'm gonna attempt it this weekend. I will let y'all know how it goes! (fingers crossed)
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[86c20]

i didnt have to move the preches at all. i thought that the mounts where the same langh from the back of the block on both the small block and big block?

[ozark]

I never had to change or move any mounts to go from a small block to big block

[gchemist]

It's been a long day!! Just bolt it in!! It's the 292 and I-6 that need the perches moved.

[86c20]

lol ok i was thinking last night about this and asked my dad and he was saying in the tri5 chevys that is what they did for the v8. but it is good to know that it does need to be moved on the l6