TN454Monte

I've been looking at blocks for my build. I've got some questions about big block and the deck heights. How is this actually measured? How do you determine deck height? What is the differences in a tall (10.2 inches) vs the shorter OEM Does one pose an advantage over the other strength wise? I'm assuming the taller deck offers more strength? Are there any members running a taller deck and if so did you have clearance problems with things like the master cylinder firewall etc. Thanks!

Congratulations to all..what a great post!

What a find! Congrats!

I'm not sure to be honest. I was planning on having a better set built and just pulling the set on there and putting them aside. I'd like to have an original numbers matching set to go back on the 454 if I ever decide to sell it. Not that a 1978 454 is in big demand, but if I ever decided to go OEM restoration on a Chevy Truck I would already have a set of correct heads.

Bones, I'd be willing to pay shipping and kick you a few bucks your way if you'd send them up to TN for me. Alls I know is these heads on the 1978 bite and I want to stay cast iron for the time being because I just got those front springs done, if I go to aluminum, I most likely will have to switch out my springs again.

Okay thanks for clearing that up for me Sam.

Much happier as in 049 / 781 casting vs these on E-bay or a set of early 70's rectangle ports? I've always thought the rectangle ports are better suited to make HP...didn't the LS5's run Rec. Port heads? Am I mistaken? Regardless these heads are out this guy is either trying to scam or just doesn't know what he's talking about.

Somethings not right here.... This E-bay seller claims these heads to be: Quote: 1970 454 GM PERFORMANCE RECT. PORT HI-PERF PAIR-NEW He then lists the casting number on the heads as Quote: # ON HEADS 14096188-GM HI-PERF. However one website I came across looking for that head casting number says these heads are: Casting number 14096188 Year 1987-94 Engine 454 Intake 2.19 Exhaust 1.88 Chamber Open CC 118 Any-one have other information that could shed some light on this Casting number??

Thanks Scott, I might pick those up. Anythings got to be better than those oval port smog heads that is on there now.

There is an auction on E-bay for a set of GM Hi-Perf Heads. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320263026556&ssPageName=MERC_BC_RCRX_Pr3_PcY_BIN_W0_IT&refitem=320263026976&itemcount=3&refwidgetloc=bid_confirm&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p167.m184&_trkparms=algo%3DCRX%26its%3DS%252BI%26itu%3DUCI%252BSI%26otn%3D3 They are for a 1970 454. Will these also fit a 1978 Block ? Are the bolt patterns the same? Thanks in advance!

Sorry should of specifed..it is a TH 350

I'm having some tranny issues. Here are some of the things I'm encountereing, any ideas of if I can fix this or if I need to start looking at a transmission swap would be appreciated. Beofre I start the Trans has fresh fluid in it, and I was told by the previous owner that it has a shift kit in it from B&M, I think it does as if I can get it to shift manually I get a nice bark out of my tires going into L2. 1. Transmission weak in Reverse, you feel it engage and the RPMS drop as normal but when you apply throttle it revs, and then will slowly beigin to move, seems like it needs to build pressure. 2. Will not go into L1. The exception to this is if I have the Gear selector in L1 position, and I am climbing a steep hill on the mountain, the transmission at around 2000 rpm sometimes will suddenly down shift into low. 3. Normal driving no matter what I do, or where the gear selector is, off the line it starts in L2 making the car very sluggish until I'm into the upper RPMS for 2nd then it starts hauling hard and shifts into 3rd with a nice firm feel. Any ideas of what would cause this type of performance?

Quick Question: What MSD Distributor and Coil are you guys running with your MSD ignition box set ups? This Digital 6 is for replacement of an HEI 454 system.

I think the MSD Digital 7 is gold is it not?

I just pulled the trigger on a MSD Digital 6 I found on E-bay!! With shipping it was under 300.00 so I'm happy.

Quote: And what was his reaction? My sister is merciless...and told him, See? "THIS is what happens to Smart Alec that hang up on my bro bud" He just kind of stared at it with a embarrassed look on his face and said..."Okay...I guess I had this one coming..now...how do you shut it off?!?!?"

Funny story about these CCT's. A friend of my sisters asked me to build a PC for him, he was on a budget and couldn't afford a new one, so I had some drives and a spare power supply and old case, and he bought a MB and some odds and ends for it. I called him the night I built it and asked him. "Do you want any case lights...." He didn't let me finish my sentence, as I was going to offer him some blue ones I had sitting that I wasn't using. His case was Black and it's a nice effect with the blue CCT's glowing inside. He was in the middle of a break up with his girl and a I guess a little irritated, and he sort of snapped "Sure, make sure their pink, I have to go"! and he clicked off the phone. I thought, "Oooookay pal....you asked for it..you got it". Took me three PC stores but I did find a pink light, you get some STRANGE looks from other men when you ask "Do you have any pink case lights?" But it was worth it...and I did install it. And when he fired it up the first time he got a pretty pink glow coming out the back of his PC I also loaded it to boot with a Windows Screen Saver that scrolled and said...."be careful what you ask for...you just might get it!" In.... Pink letters of course!

Hey! I've got some of those! But They're inside my computer!! I never thought about using them as car lights...interesting idea!!

Paul, Any chance of being around Quaker the weekend of the 6-8 of June? I'll be in Salem during that time, love to see that thing run, or maybe we can just meet for a cold one. Track is literally right around the corner from where I will be, matter of fact we can sit at my friends house and hear the cars running....

I do admit if I go with the Digital 6 set up I'm way overkill right now as the motor sits. Way I see it, I'm already pretty much past the "daily driver" for my Monte, with a 454 and 4.00 a gallon premium unleaded that's not gonna work ...so why not shoot for the moon? Being an IT type has taught me to plan down the road for the dreaded "future expansion / needs" beast, I'd rather have the ability to go to a crank trigger, etc, now then turn around and have to replace the ignition yet a second time. Besides..I'm a "geek" ANYTHING that works off of digital technology..well it's got to be good right? Yeaaaaahh Right.

LOL...Look here Mr Bones..I said "Greg's dictionary of life" Not Mr. Bones... So quit harshing my mellow dude! ROFL *This is said very much in jest...no offense intended*.

Quote: The digital 6 is a great box if you are going to do a lot of mods, like fuel injection, crank trigger and such and it certainly is a good piece of hardware but if you are staying with a Carb and not planning to do much 1/4 pounding I would say it is overkill but as I said, I'm a fan of that Overkill? What is this Overkill of which you speak!? ***Thumbs through Greg's Dictionary of Life*** Lemme see ..Overbite, Overbore, Overhaul, Overshoot, ....Mmmnope not in there so it must not exist!!!

Sorry, not intending to muddy the waters here, but I was considering going with a MSD Digital 6 Plus My 454 Is out of a 1978 and has the HEI on it, I suspect it is nearing time to overhaul it, as I've had some weird stumbles from time to time, and I was thinking on the MSD digital and to replace the rest of the ignition with Blaster HVC Coil and the MSD HEI Replacement Dist. Right now the 454 is mostly stock except for headers and carb, but it is going to get a 496 stroker rebuild in the future. It's a bigger expense now, but I think down the road it will be more adaptable to future goals? Any thoughts?

Quote: I seem to have a habbit of reving into the stratosphere Mental note to self; Never buy used engine from KC8oye

Quote: I wonder now if the "old" avatar really had jack stands under the front of the car to give the illusion it was doing a wheelie...oops, I'll save comments like this for that other thread... ;\) LOL...And since I am pretty new here, until I learned what a bunch of engine wizards that are lurking around....I would have flat out denied that a 1st Gen could pull one at all. A Camaro, or Chevelle?? ..yeah seen that with my own two eyes too many times to count, but A MONTE?!? Pulling the front wheels with that 6 foot hood out in front of it?!??! Yeahhh right, put your photo-shop away ...LOL. I don't think that anymore though, there are some mighty talented engine gurus around these parts, impressive stuff indeed.