I found a guy with a 454/ TH400 in a 1977 GMC 1/2 Ton, were those tall decks? He didnt know. Its pretty much all stock engine, he said it runs but it sounds like it may be running on 2 cyclinders, he pulled a couple plug wires and it ran the same. The valves make a clacking sound so he thinks it might need a valve job. I havent looked at it yet but he lives pretty close. Wondering if I should check it out and make him an offer? He doesnt want much for the whole enchilada, truck and all. But Id only be interested in the motor and maybe the tranny. Whats it sound like?

He put a few hundred into this thing, but only paid 300 for it. What do you think, should I make an offer on this 454? smile.gif

It's not a tall deck. It could be bent push rods, rocker arms, bad cam or bad timing chain. I would make an offer.

Phil, why don't you offer him a couple hundred bucks for it and have it checked out at a shop?

Likely, you'd be replacing and machining so much of it that a likely worn out cam or bad timing gear, etc wouldn't be an issue as long as there's no physical damage.


-c

Yeah everything would get stripped anyways. Glad to hear it isnt a tall deck, I heard those werent good news for Chevelles, I forget why? Its got a TH400 on it too smile.gif

pull the dipstick to check for water in the oil (milky brown color). Not that that is the problem, just something I'd do for any engine purchase...

Aren't there long and short TH400s? not sure if both are good for Chevelles and which the truck would have...

No tall decks in 454 configuration, only 366 (truck) and 427 (truck). Taller deck height... Main problem in a Chevelle is headers, since the heads sit higher up (compared to the chassis), which can cause clearance problems...

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