[markjohnson]

Those 1973-74 454's are the best years of building a great street/strip 454. The #049 cylinder heads are the best cast iron oval-port heads the General ever produced. As far as the block, it is NOT a tall deck. Real quick here.......have a good cylinder head shop fit those heads with the larger 2.19/1.88 Manley Valves (the cheapest ones!) and some very minor port work, a Comp Cams 288 Street Solid Roller, a set of forged TRW's, Edelbrock Performer RPM and an 850 Holley and you've 550-560 horsepower. You have my favorite foundation for a great 468 CID that'll tear your head off from idle to 6500 RPM and probably cost you your drivers's license if you're not careful!