use 402 truck tall pistons in a 454 for a 427

[prateroad]

I have a tall deck 402 and a 454. I want to install the 402 crank in the 454 but don't know which pistons to use. I know not to use the 454 pistons. Here's what I have, and thanks for the replies.
Chevy 454 Motor
Complete With Heads And Intake
3999289 Block
72-78
2 Bolt
049 Heads
Also where do you find 55-57 Chevy trucks for sale on here? I found 67-72 and now I can't find them.

[kwmech]

Never heard of a 'tall deck 402'. 366 or 427?

[prateroad]

Did a bunch of 1 finger typing and the page reset just before I finished. I'll check my block numbers tomorrow. By the way, would you happen to know if a 72 fleetside tailgate will bolt up to a 85 C30 bed? I bought a 72 shortbed about 8 hours away and plan on taking it apart to bring it back. The tailgate would be 1 piece out of the way. It has aluminum front panel and floor. I was going to bubble wrap the fenders and slide them in the back. Nothing is welded, just bolted together.

[hugger6933]

No, the gate wont fit the newer bed

[67 twins]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

No, the gate wont fit the newer bed

Are you certain about this? There is a picture in a thread (I don't remember which one) of a squarebody tailgate on a 72? I believe it was. If it works that way I don't see why you wouldn'tbe able to go the other way.

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by 67 twins

Are you certain about this? There is a picture in a thread (I don't remember which one) of a square body tailgate on a 72? I believe it was. If it works that way I don't see why you wouldn't be able to go the other way.

Totally different bodies. Never heard of anybody being able to do this or why they would.

[67 twins]

Originally Posted by kwmech

Totally different bodies.

Never heard of anybody being able to do this or why they would.

Well duh, we know this
The OP stated why he wanted to know

[tim_mc]

My brother was toying with the idea of building a 427 for his '69 396 SS Chevelle. After talking about it, we figured while 427 is a nostalgic CID, a 454 would be the better choice from a performance perspective. Why you want to build a 427?

[prateroad]

On the tailgate the measurements are pretty close. I have both here, so we'll see. The 427, shorter stroke, different sound, quicker rev I think. Someone on here or another forum said a properly setup 427 would outrun a 454 anytime. Sort of like the Z28 302, just bigger. I ain't planning on racing it, but a street mash is always fun as long as you don't get crazy about it like a lot of young igmo's these days. Not many clean streets to race on here anymore, they usually have cars on them now. I'm in central Florida and been here all my life. I am seriously considering leaving for some wider spaces. It ain't Kansas anymore.

[tim_mc]

It would be cool if the tailgates match up! As for the 427, I've read & heard the same stuff about higher revving 427, but at the end of the day the 454 can be built with the same or more hp & torque. If I had a vehicle that came with a 427 then I might be inclined to build a 427 for originality, otherwise for performance I'd go with a larger BBC package. Just my opinion, or course, but it might be worth digging deeper before investing the time & dollars on 427 set-up.

[chevmn]

I think some 454's got a bad rap due to the later smog engines, but unless you have a specific reason to try to build a 427, I would go with the 454. The old saying that there is no replacement for displacement holds true, and the 1970 "450 horse" 454 was arguably the king, and with some very minor mods was a beast. Many of the later smog choked versions of that engine were not impressive, but with different heads, cam, etc would be a totally different animal.

[burnin oil]

Shorter stroke of the 427 puts alot less stress on things inside the motor for a high RPM motor. Piston speeds and loads are astronomical at high RPM. 427 is a great choice for a street machine that gets beat hard and expected to live a good service life. Nothing wrong with the 454 either but with the no replacement theory a 502 would be better. More power along with a lower RPM. Now you pass everything but a gas station.

Another thought is if the factory cranks are cast then I would check on a SCAT rotating assembly. Their 9000 series cast setup is really strong and a reasonable price. Don't spring for the balanced version. Mine was way off when I had it double checked.

[YellowK5]

I have a square body tail gate on my 71 C20...the body line is off but it fits and works

[Livrat]

Originally Posted by prateroad

I have a tall deck 402 and a 454. I want to install the 402 crank in the 454 but don't know which pistons to use. I know not to use the 454 pistons. Here's what I have, and thanks for the replies.
Chevy 454 Motor
Complete With Heads And Intake
3999289 Block
72-78
2 Bolt
049 Heads
Also where do you find 55-57 Chevy trucks for sale on here? I found 67-72 and now I can't find them.

As far as I know the only tall decks were 366 and 427, either way, if you want to use the tall deck crankshaft in your 454 you would need to use standard deck 427 pistons.