New crate 454
Last month I broke the crank in my 1988 Winnebago Super Chief. It had only 57,000 miles on it. I located a GM crate engine 454. I took my time and installed the engine piece by piece. I went with a n...
Forum Discussion
I think your biggest problem is the 4* initial timing. Chevy big block engines like a lot of initial timing. They'll run better and cooler. I have a 1970 Chevelle SS with a 454 as well as the MH. I run 18* advance in the Chevelle, now you can't run that much advance without getting spark knock but can do better than 4*. You might also consider running a mid-grade or premium gas which will allow you to bump the timing up more. Some will say, I'm not paying extra for mid-grade or premium, it's a low compression truck engine and doesn't need it. Mid-grade usually costs 10 cents a gallon more than regular. At $3 per gallon for regular that's a 3.33% increase in cost. For 3.33% increase your engine will run a lot cooler, it'll perform a lot better and the increase in gas mileage will more than offset the cost.
I've tuned more than one Chevy big block and it's not just my experience. Anyone with experience on these engines will tell you to give it as much advance as you can without getting spark knock. I run mid-grade, sometimes premium in the MH and run 11* initial advance.
I've tuned more than one Chevy big block and it's not just my experience. Anyone with experience on these engines will tell you to give it as much advance as you can without getting spark knock. I run mid-grade, sometimes premium in the MH and run 11* initial advance.
