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2 part question

b454rat

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Buddy is getting a TD427 from a junkyard. Motor is said to run, still in a Topkick propane truck, all the propane stuff still on it. After driving my Blazer around and realizing it's a dog, and getting about 10 MPG. If that is all I'm getting, might as well drop a big block in and get some a$$ out of this thing, might even get better mileage out of it. I can get it for $300 with all the propane crap on it.

I checked around some, and couldn't find too much on what a propane setup is worth. Would it be worth it pick it up and sell it complete, or just the propane setup??

Something else is I'm not sure if stock 454 brackets/pulleys would bolt onto a tall deck.....pulleys I'm sure they would.....

Anybody interested??
 
Buddy is getting a TD427 from a junkyard. Motor is said to run, still in a Topkick propane truck, all the propane stuff still on it. After driving my Blazer around and realizing it's a dog, and getting about 10 MPG. If that is all I'm getting, might as well drop a big block in and get some a$$ out of this thing, might even get better mileage out of it. I can get it for $300 with all the propane crap on it.

I checked around some, and couldn't find too much on what a propane setup is worth. Would it be worth it pick it up and sell it complete, or just the propane setup??

Something else is I'm not sure if stock 454 brackets/pulleys would bolt onto a tall deck.....pulleys I'm sure they would.....

Anybody interested??

A big block will not help mileage -- yes, higher output will mean the motor is in its power band more, but gearing is prolly a better way to address that. And unless you can REALLY train your right foot, bigger motor will just mean more fun.

If it were me I'd jump on the deal; I'd sell the propane stuff, which I suspect would net you the original purchase price, and then sell the engine. Out here regular BBC's can bring $500 for a core, and unless I'd personally heard it run (and had 4x4HIGH look at it =)) I'd consider any used engine just a core. Tall decks, I donno if they're worth more or less... but you oughta be able get a chunk more than $300 out of it.

You could also keep either of the propane setup or the motor and sell the other.

-- A
 
The TD427 is a good block if intact. From what I understand they can be easily overbored and used for a stroker build. Be sure to verify it's not a TD366 as the latter is much less desirable.
 
$300.00 for a TD427 with the propane is a screaming deal. You need to be aware that the TD engines use a different distributor since the deck is .400" taller. The intake manifold is also specific to a TD engine but you can use a standard intake with spacers. The TD427 can be built into a LARGE cube engine pretty easily.
 
The motor is complete, and is a 427, says it right on the v/c. The rear went out of the truck, then the guy took the tranny for something else. My old truck was heavier than hell, with the 4.10s and a 454 in it got 10-11. My Blazer has the stock 350 and 3.42 gears, not sure what the weight is. Everyone tells me they are pigs and heavy, which I'm sure doesn't help in mileage. I pretty much baby the thing, no sense in trying to go fast cause it just plane won't....

Also know all about tall decks. The .400" deck, intake/distro specific to the block, monster cubes, etc. Another thing that's gonna be a pain, I need a distro for a TBI, since this is LPG, don't think it's gonna be the same. Also not sure if they sell an adjustable for tall decks for TBI.

I guess I could try the regear first and see what happens.....
 
MSD does sell a slip collar distributor that will work with a standard or a TD engine. Not sure if it is TBI compatable though. I'd be surprised if you couldn't get a distributor that would work though.
 
I'll havta think about it. $300 for a running 427 is a good deal alone, but with the LPG setup I would think that would even better deal...
 
Went to go look at it, couldn't see the numbers, but it did look like it has a tall deck TBI dizzy on it. It's a 93, and says fuel injection on the hood, so should be a TBI factory. But not sure if GM did factory LPG or if it was aftermarket. It has an ignition box on the firewall, something spark optimizer maybe??? Says GM on the sticker....
 

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