Hi, i bought a 454 engine from a friend of a friend, after I got motor I wanted to get engine codes. I looked at the back of the engine, it says 361959 HI PER P SS & date code A 24 77. there is no A in PASS. Vin # T0225TSD, Heads are oval port,#336781 & date code 1 28 73. Intake # 485898.What I found out is that it is a 454 out of a Chevell SS, Camaro or Corvette. I am wanting to put the motor in my 1956 Chevy 3800 1ton truck. I do restore tractors and tractor pull every so often.I would be towing a #6000 tractor maybe once in two months. I would like to know what cam or lift range would I need to have some nice HP and a little Torque. his week sometime I am going to tear the engine down and find out if it is a 2 or 4 bolt main. It ran when I looked at it, but not real great. It did not smoke or knock, but the back 4 rockers are very loose. Maybe all it needs is a camshaft and a good overhaul. Any help would be greatly appreciated Thanks Craig

 

That engine should feel right at home in your truck. Although the casting number you gave was used for both cars and trucks, the casting year and the "TSD" code on the front pad tells that it's a 1977 250 h.p. TRUCK engine only.
By the way, 74 was the last year for the 454 Vette, 75 was the last year for the 454 Chevelle, and 72 was the last year for the big block Camaro. (the older Camaros were available with a 396, 402, or 427, not 454).

 

All correctamundo~! '76 Impala/Caprice was the last of the last to get a big block in a passenger car.

You'll love the torque of the 454,it won't need much of a performance cam just a mild RC cam is all you want for pulling.
I have a 454 in my '78 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 with a 400 3speed auto trans and 4:56 gears,she pulls like a freight train.
Mine has a mild RV cam (sorry no specs) an Edlebrock performer intake,a big quadrajet carb with electric choke from a Cad 500 engine and a set of headers.
Runs like a top and on regular gas with no issues.
I had a CAT D2 dozer I pulled around on a trailer sometimes,Tractor and trailer together were over 12,000 lbs.
It had no trouble pulling it,in fact I live up a steep winding narrow country road and she pulled it in 2nd gear two wheel drive high range with ease,about 400ft elevation change in two miles.
Make sure you get a 454 flywheel,they are externally balanced for that motor only.
Your small block flywheel will bolt up but you don't want to go there.
The CAT





The hill......