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454 questions- block/ heads compatibility

COCHEV

COCHEV

1/2 ton status
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ok, so picked up a rebuilt 454 short block- 1985, casting # 14015445- rebuilt to stock . my burb has the more desirable 049 heads and i would like to use them on the 85 mill...will this all be ok? what should my compression be? I also have the heads from the 85 mill which are the 045- oval/ open. from what i've gathered the 049s are the way to go, just want to be sure they will work with the newer block.

also open to cam suggestions. want monsterous torgue, good idle/vac. will be eventually goin in front of a sm465...

thanks,

jason
 
I also have a set of 049 heads that I am putting on my 1985. It should not be a problem.

It's not newer STYLE block, only newer by the year it was made. The new style block was 1993, iirc.

I am interested in the cam question as well. I nknwo there are some really good cams from GM.
 
The 049's will fit the 5445 block just fine, as stated the new style block didn't come along until the early/mid 90's.

I'm curious, is your block 4 bolt main? I've read the 5445's came both 2 or 4 bolt. I have a set of 049's and a 4 bolt 5445 block set aside for my next motor project.
 
The heads will work without any problems. In order to figure out what the compression will be there are a bunch of variables that we need to know.

What CC pistons
What's the deck height
Compressed head gasket thickness (i can get close enough on this one)
What CC the cylinder head combustion chambers are (you have to actually measure them as they vary too much from the factory).
 
I put in a 204 214 duration speedpro cam. It isn't huge but I think trucks need truck cams. It idles and pulls to 4500 awsome. Depending on the rest of the truck I can make a better suggestion for your engine. The compression will with a stock piston will be in the low 8s to high 7s. I stayed with the peanut ports cause I think they work great in the rpm range I am using the truck for. Of course if your crazy I have made over 600 with a 427 and 049s but it wasn't really a good truck engine.
 
80' 427 said:
I put in a 204 214 duration speedpro cam. It isn't huge but I think trucks need truck cams. It idles and pulls to 4500 awsome. Depending on the rest of the truck I can make a better suggestion for your engine. The compression will with a stock piston will be in the low 8s to high 7s. I stayed with the peanut ports cause I think they work great in the rpm range I am using the truck for. Of course if your crazy I have made over 600 with a 427 and 049s but it wasn't really a good truck engine.
Click to expand...

yes, will be looking for a cam like that. my previous 454 with the 049 heads was over cammed and idled poorly. the burb will eventually start seeing trail use. i am putting a sm465 in it too so i want good idle/ low rpm charactoristics for wheelin.
 
Mine had the gm truck cam that is even smaller but it went flat on startup. I went with a speedpro cam and gm hardened lifters cause I could get them overnight. I would recommend gm performance lifters because of the hardened faces they have. The are higher than others but I promise they are better. I will look up the number later. Mine is a 8 to 1 with headers, weiand street warrior (for peanut port) and other wise stock and it runs very good. As soon as I wheel dyno it I will post the numbers.
 
nvrenuf said:
The 049's will fit the 5445 block just fine, as stated the new style block didn't come along until the early/mid 90's.

I'm curious, is your block 4 bolt main? I've read the 5445's came both 2 or 4 bolt. I have a set of 049's and a 4 bolt 5445 block set aside for my next motor project.
Click to expand...


its a 2 bolt. so i guess my concern would be will i lose compression buy puttin the 049s on a stock 85 bottom end?
 
Maybe a tiny bit but not enough to worry about. I think its like 8 with 112cc peanut ports (what you have) and 7.8 with the 049s. If you want compression find a newer set of vortec ovals or 65-66 bath tub heads. The vortecs flow way more but cost more as well. I am guessing you are going with flattops.
 
I do not plan on doing a rebuild because it does not need it, but I NEED more compression, so blower it might be.

I will be using mine for trail riding and some mudding. I need good idle, but plenty of power for my Suburban, over a full range.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.
 
You cannot install vortec heads on a Gen IV BBC. The coolant passages don't line up correctly and will dump coolant into the lifter valley.
 
4X4HIGH said:
You cannot install vortec heads on a Gen IV BBC. The coolant passages don't line up correctly and will dump coolant into the lifter valley.
Click to expand...

I am not saying your wrong but I know of about 5 engines that have vortecs on gen IVs.
 
80' 427 said:
I am not saying your wrong but I know of about 5 engines that have vortecs on gen IVs.
Click to expand...

It can be done but you can't simply just slap the vortec heads onto a Gen IV block without doing some work. There are several water holes that need to be plugged in order for it to work.
 
I would typically just use the bathtub heads or domes.
 
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