Going to look at a motor need help.

[Kapdin]

Hey guys, so i got an opportunity to pick up a motor. Its in an old chevy grain truck. All he remembers is that the original got pulled and they needed more power, so the original was a 350. So its somewere between a 400 & 454, If i move the truck from were its sitting, (the box is all ****** up is why its been parked) I can have the motor, it was running 3 years ago. But is there any fast ways of determining what it is from just looking at it? The motor was put in in the early 80's. The truck is 60's.

 

[Jims86]

Hey guys, so i got an opportunity to pick up a motor. Its in an old chevy grain truck. All he remembers is that the original got pulled and they needed more power, so the original was a 350. So its somewere between a 400 & 454, If i move the truck from were its sitting, (the box is all ****** up is why its been parked) I can have the motor, it was running 3 years ago. But is there any fast ways of determining what it is from just looking at it? The motor was put in in the early 80's. The truck is 60's.

Engine size should be stamped on the back drivers side of the block.

 

[HotRodPC]

The old school motors don't have the size stamped in them. You'll have to get the Cast #'s off the driver side rear of the block behind the driver head down on the ledge of the block just in front of the trans bellhousing. So you're saying it's a Big Block right? If it's Pre TBI it won't be stamped and if it is, it'll be in Liters, not cubes. Also, if it's that late, it could be a tall block 366 or a 454. If early it could be a 396, 400(402), 427, Tall Block 427 or 454.

 

[Kapdin]

yea, its carb and he's sure it ain't like the 366's he has. I might just run out there and snap a few photos before i start movin anything, its sitting in a snowbank anyways.

 

[HotRodPC]

yea, its carb and he's sure it ain't like the 366's he has. I might just run out there and snap a few photos before i start movin anything, its sitting in a snowbank anyways.

Are you saying it's FREE? It's a Big Block Right? And it's a low mileage motor that has sat for 2 years? Let me make it easy on you. Go get the fuggin thing !!! Doesn't matter what it is. It runs and it's going to be good. Even a 366 tall block is a good motor for a truck. Talk about a damn torque monster. Same with 396 and 402. If 427, even better. I like 427's over 454's even. Same bore, shorter stroke, turn the rpms a bit quicker and in a light duty truck, the massive torque isn't required to have some tire smokin fun, but speed and higher rpm is fun. And then of course the 454, you get it all pretty much if it's not Peanut Port heads. I'd take a Non Peanut Port head 427 over a PP head 454 anyday. Bottom line, no matter what it is, it's going to be a good motor. Not like in a small block where you could be getting a Wee O Five or a 267. Just go get the damn thing.

 

[Swims350]

shoot I'd go get a free small block let alone a big block.

 

[HotRodPC]

shoot I'd go get a free small block let alone a big block.

I'd have to think about a 305, but if I needed a motor, and for FREE, I'd take whatever I could get. But yeah, Big Block, don't matter what it is, just Nike and DO IT !!!