454 Vortec took a bolt in the intake...

Mashdown · February 17, 2015

2000 GMC 2500, 7.4L 454, 130K Miles

I just bought this truck knowing it didn't run. Found it seized and pulled the pan. Found #3 Piston completely shattered, I found a 3/8 bolt in the oil pan too, found a imprint of the bolt head on the biggest piece of the piston left. Felt two scratches in the cylinder wall.

Valves look ok, engine looks very clean top and bottom. What do you guys think is the cheapest and best option...

Throw a piston in and call it a day?

Pull the engine and rebuild?

Install a reman?

Wife is pissed and I need to get it done soon and not too expensive.

Chris · February 17, 2015

Rebuild or reman

Mashdown · February 17, 2015

Will a 92' 454 bottom end work? and just switch the heads and intake?

Chris · February 17, 2015

I hope gramps can chime in on this. He has experience with the 454's

grampadirt · February 18, 2015

Will a 92' 454 bottom end work? and just switch the heads and intake?

Not that easy.From what I know of 454s your engine has a hydraulic roller cam,the '92 has a flat tappet cam and the two are not interchangeable.Your engine's designation is an L29,the '92 is an L19(like mine).The lifter bores and lifters are the big difference.I'd love to put one in my '95 but always figured it was going to be too costly and a lot of work.Besides the L29 has more horsepower.

If you're doing this on the cheap you might look for a used L29 with low miles,they're out there,and just do an engine swap.If you intend to keep the truck get the block rebuilt(have a machine shop evaluate it to be sure it's rebuildable).A reman'd short block is another option(probably the route I'd go if mine would ever wear out).

Taking it apart is one thing,can you put it back together?Do you have the tools necessary?

Mashdown · February 18, 2015

^{Grampadirt I cant find a good used 97-00 Vortec 454. I found this 92, and I was wondering if I put the heads and intake from mine onto the older block if it would work.}

^{I think I'm going to have to pull it all out and take it to the machine shop.}