'97 GEN VI 454 Vortec

I just picked up a 454 to replace the SBC in my '84 C-30 tow rig. It's a L-29 with closed chamber 100 cc heads. The engine came to me with 2 bent exh. valves, but the heads are in the machine shop now so all will be well in a week or so. This is a very low mileage Targetmaster/goodwrench warranty take out motor that I picked up for the core charge and want to build for the tow rig. I'm keeping the TH-400 and adding a 2.86 / 1:1 /.89 "brownie box" aux trans. and the stock 4.10 gears.
Several silly Q's to follow...
* I want to run the Edelbrock performer manifold/ Q-jet carb, stock 4 pin HEI Good choice?
* Will the stock roller cam work well with the carb/ manifold swap?
* Will the stock timing chain / gears (roller cam) need to be replaced with a BBC timing set? Will a wide chain fit under the stock aluminum cover if I have to change the cam ?or just fab a cover for the sensor hole?
* Does the engine oil cooler line set up have to be run thru the radiator (I don't want to buy a new radiator as it already has the 4 row with trans cooler in it) or can I just run an external "hayden" style cooler ?
I'm sure I've missed some thing, but I know you guys can help me get this done right. TIA for the help. Paul

the intake should work good the cover will not fit the big chain with out a mill so get a cam for the chain set you have i have used the mark 6 cams and chain sets in mark 4 block with retro roller lifters many times you can get a cam from howards cam or any one that will work and if you run the steel gm roller cam you need to run a iron distributor gear for this cam. DO NOT USE A STOCK ONE the roller cam dist gear is made to run on the steel core .gm sell them yes you could run the oil cooler the way you want

Thanks for the fast reply, Pat. Edelbrock recommended the 2161 performer manifold, supposed to be a good low rpm high torque piece, well suited to my application, what do you think?
*How well will the combination work if I keep the stock cam / timing set as opposed to an aftermarket cam? ( the numbers on the back of the cam are2296-9033 )
*This is a very low mileage engine and I can't find any reason for it to have bent 2 exhuast valves, #3 & 5, all the pushrods are straight, rockers, springs, retainers and lifters look good , the marks on the pistons are <.020" deep, so it didn't kiss it very hard, what am I missing?
*I picked up a rebuilt HEI from NAPA, how do I tell what gear is on it? is there a part number stamped on the gear, or do I just order an iron one from the dealer and change it?
*Can I run the stock dampener?
* will the SBC flex plate / starter work?
* will the SBC pulley's and brackets swap to the GEN VI ? the truck has Hydra boost and AC.
* Which water pump?
* would you change to an electric fan, or just change the shroud and run the SBC fan/clutch?
* for my application, would you run stock manifolds (with 2.5 " pipes/mufflers) or change to headers. ( I had hookers on the SBC for a while, but went back to the cast iron 'cause the header ringing gave me a nasty headache on long tow's)
* Are urethane motor mounts a good choice, or go with new stock rubber ones?
WOW, I didn't mean for this to turn into a book, but I really appreciate you taking the time to answer. The Vortec world is all new to me and still very confusing, thanks for taking the time to teach... Paul

the small block fllex plate will not work or the pulleys the clutch .fan may . the water pump has to work with the pulleys you use if old v belt then long stye pump than that would be the pump you would use or if serpentine than the pump for this pump is not the same pump as the v belt why would you not run the stock 454 damper ? the valve may have stuck in the guids rust not fitted to the guild . i do not know much on that cam . roller dist gear is #10456413 melonized steel gear Gm .you must run the right year flex plate for this 454 they are not alll the same weight and a 454 is externally balanced you can run the better engine mounts i would

Thanks Pat, how do i pick the right flex plate? the block casting and head numbers range '96 & up on the Motec chart, is there a way to cross them to a specific year?(block # TG04M6G9, stamped and 10237297 cast. head # 10141279)
*Did GM change the exh. port spacing or bolt pattern on the vortec, or can I grab any 454 manifolds from the "pick n pull"? any year's flow better than the rest?
*I'm thinkin' on 2.5 in. duals/flowmaster 50 series cans, side dumps, would 3 in. pipes be worth the trouble and expense?
* I've been told that the block fittings for the oil cooler have a built in restrictor, is this a necessary part, dealer item, or can I just screw in pipe to AN adapters and go to the cooler?
*I'm going to stay with the stock cam/lifters and timing set, install it straight up or advance it?
* I can pick up a gear drive pretty cheap,(quiet Jackson) any advantage to doing this, for my application ?
* I want to stay with "V" belts, is there any specific year BBC to rob brackets and pulleys from for the Vortec ? (hydra-boost pump and AC)

Thanks again, Paul

to many Q s if you run V belts run any thing from 75 up gear drive NO NO NO they are junk . on your cam put it in straigth up the gasket for the heads EX are the same so any header will or iron ex mainfolds will work if for your truck with a big block you need a 96 flex plate if your engine is a 96 that it and nothing else will work. this wheel would be for a one pice seal crank on iron EX i do not know the best one they all are not that geat look for some that look like they would flow the best and for restrictors in the block ?? never seen any

they use a thermostatic valve in the block just above the oil filter if you remove it it bypasses the cooler when I redid mine I replaced it ( 10 bucks ) and used the factory oil cooling lines to a plate type cooler (earls) , the ends of the lines are metric and earls was the only company that made an adaptor for it . the block connections sae threaded, I tried to run a loop for the oil but it made the motor run hot ( 220-250 ) so I put the cooler back in place . and for the dampner you have to keep the timing reluntator on the crank if you change the dampner out as the new dampner will go in to far . and the stock water pump is reverse rotation ! as for the timing chain its a HD piece single roller ( got 100k towing miles on mine and it had little stretch ) IMCO did make a gen 6 cover for use with a double roller but I don't know if it is still avalible .and I have a set of the 96' gen 6 manifolds if you are looking for a set ( put edlebrock tubular manifolds on and like them they are thick and stainless and don't ting . and allow you to use a dual exaust on one side of the truck ( 3" cross over pipe included)

the cam spec for the GM one you listed is .483 gross lift 224 @.050 dur, 115 lobe centers .

that is a check valve or bypass same number #25013759 that is it one under the oil filter adapter and one that is used for the filter i never put the one in the block under the filter adapter this adapter threads in the block and the check valve is up in there why would you use a double roller chain it will not fit the small bolt pattern cam? yes you can buy cover for the old mark 4 chain set and a mark 4 cam to fit in that cover i have used them in race engine

there are 2 of the valves you mention one in the filter assy and one next to it in the block ( for the cooler ) plus a plug which has to be removed if you block off the cooler passages its a safety incase the stock cooler plugs out . and if he changes cams to a non snout style ( as he has the stock L-29 Fi cam in the block ) he was exploring his options incase it doesn't work with a carb . but I would say after seeing the durability of the single chain is to stay with it .

the chain is not a big deal have run that chain set in many retro mark 4 with mark 6 cams and have use the pro billet set #cp1019 set and have drill and tap the mark 6 for the mark 4 timing covers and did a mark 6 and used all mark 4 tin oil pan and timing cover with billet mark 4 caps with the two pice gear main seal and 1/2 of the rear main seal adapter this block was a 502/502 that is now a 540 twin turbo and that bike chain set is use in the 502/502 if that cam is a #12551622 it will work fine