The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > General Truck Forums > Engine & Drivetrain

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-21-2020, 03:40 AM   #1
BigRandy
Registered User
 
BigRandy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 156
1974-454 What "Mark" do I have?

Wikipedia lists BBC stats and GM product designations for passenger cars but I can't find a product code for those used in half ton trucks, specifically the 454 used in the C10 from 1974.

I know it's a low HP engine but what do I look for when researching bolt ons like better heads, cam, intake?

I'm entertaining the idea of a small cam but IIRC any increased lift while running peanut heads may be a problem.

In short: What bolt ons can I add to wake it up?
__________________
Repairing and driving old trucks is an analog experience. No computers or sensors and they can be fixed with basic hand tools
BigRandy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2020, 04:13 AM   #2
franken
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 3,052
Re: 1974-454 What "Mark" do I have?

The Mark IV is what we think of as the big block after the W-head engines ~65/66 and up to about 90.
franken is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2020, 07:48 AM   #3
b454rat
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Binghamton, NY
Posts: 3,453
Re: 1974-454 What "Mark" do I have?

If it's from a 74 good chances it has 049 or 781s, those are best heads you could get for a street motor, AKA junkyard heads. I had each, last one was over 400 horse easy. I wouldn't worry too much bout putting in a bigger cam with whatever head, use matching springs and run it.
b454rat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2020, 11:04 AM   #4
kwmech
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colfax-California
Posts: 8,356
Re: 1974-454 What "Mark" do I have?

Waking up a 74 big block is easy. Bump the compression to no more than 9-1 and put in a mild cam. stock heads are fine unless you plan on reving it more than 5k. Doing those 2 things will almost double the HP from the factory
kwmech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2020, 01:12 PM   #5
The Rocknrod
Moderator

 
The Rocknrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
Re: 1974-454 What "Mark" do I have?

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigRandy View Post
Wikipedia lists BBC stats and GM product designations for passenger cars but I can't find a product code for those used in half ton trucks, specifically the 454 used in the C10 from 1974. ...
This article says it was used in 74 on commercial trucks - https://itstillruns.com/1974-gm-big-...s-7630732.html
The block should have a stamped number on the front of the passenger side head, might tell you more.
Hagerty shows a 454 in a 2 door stepside longbed for that year though so who knows?
You could go to the GM Heritage Center and download the 1974 Chevrolet Trucks booklet to find out - https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-...tion-kits.html
It shows on page 23 of that PDF document that the C10 had a 454 option code #LF8. With a whopping 230HP advertised.

Last edited by The Rocknrod; 10-21-2020 at 01:27 PM.
The Rocknrod is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2020, 02:54 AM   #6
BigRandy
Registered User
 
BigRandy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 156
Re: 1974-454 What "Mark" do I have?

Thanks to everyone for the info. It's exactly what I was after.

B454RAT: If I read correctly you were using peanut heads when you got 400HP. What all did you do to get that number?
__________________
Repairing and driving old trucks is an analog experience. No computers or sensors and they can be fixed with basic hand tools
BigRandy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2020, 11:28 AM   #7
b454rat
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Binghamton, NY
Posts: 3,453
Re: 1974-454 What "Mark" do I have?

10:1, ran 93, 781 heads, comp came extreme energy 268, dual plane intake Holley 3310 750, used manifolds cause trying to fit headers n a G body with 4-speed was tough. Never got the motor 100% dialed in but ran like a mother f’r. Regret selling it.....
b454rat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2020, 12:42 PM   #8
Tom
driving is in my blood
 
Tom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 5,687
Re: 1974-454 What "Mark" do I have?

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigRandy View Post
Thanks to everyone for the info. It's exactly what I was after.

B454RAT: If I read correctly you were using peanut heads when you got 400HP. What all did you do to get that number?
No, he had oval port heads like any 454 from 1974 should have including yours. Peanut ports were 80's.
__________________
-78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle.
-98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes.
-02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front
-CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis
DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.
Tom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2020, 01:02 PM   #9
b454rat
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Binghamton, NY
Posts: 3,453
Re: 1974-454 What "Mark" do I have?

Other than tall deck was even any peanut ports used? Most of what Ive seen were 049 n 781s.
b454rat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2020, 03:06 AM   #10
BigRandy
Registered User
 
BigRandy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 156
Re: 1974-454 What "Mark" do I have?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom View Post
No, he had oval port heads like any 454 from 1974 should have including yours. Peanut ports were 80's.
Craaaap! I didn't know that. I was sure I'd read somewhere the low HP 454's had peanut ports. I feel better about it now.

I see some some upgrades in my future.
__________________
Repairing and driving old trucks is an analog experience. No computers or sensors and they can be fixed with basic hand tools
BigRandy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2020, 08:22 AM   #11
Warrens69GMC
Registered User
 
Warrens69GMC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Safford,AZ
Posts: 3,613
Re: 1974-454 What "Mark" do I have?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom View Post
No, he had oval port heads like any 454 from 1974 should have including yours. Peanut ports were 80's.
Started in 1975
346236.....75-87...oval...OPEN...454, 120cc chamber, 225/116cc ports.

So if that was a late 1974, it could have peanut ports, which IMO isn't a bad thing
Warrens69GMC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2020, 09:56 AM   #12
geezer#99
Registered User
 
geezer#99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Bowser
Posts: 13,495
Re: 1974-454 What "Mark" do I have?

Only reference to peanut ports I’ve found is a 1986 casting.
Post your head casting numbers.
That’ll clear it up.
geezer#99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:49 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com