what 454 is this?

[beater68427]

In my eye if its not numbers matching it not numbers matching! if it has the correct parts on top and runs good leave it alone and enjoy it, funny how times change seems there are more documented numbers cars than GM ever made now days, The factory hot rods were just that, they lived many days on the drag strip most blown up parts changed things switched out. I guess a good question is what your friend is looking to do? If he just wants a 4 bolt main engine or trying to ??????

[RichSchmidt]

Before you start pawning off the engine,check to see the dates on the heads and intake.If they are within a month or two before the build date of the car,and he is fairly sure it is a bigblock car,maybe it is the numbers matching top end.I think the 375 hp 396 and the LS6 might have had the same heads and intake,but different camshafts.If the car ate a short blok early on,it could have been replaced with a lower performance one with all the high po stff added on.

[WILMASBOYL78]

[ QUOTE ]
Before you start pawning off the engine,check to see the dates on the heads and intake.If they are within a month or two before the build date of the car,and he is fairly sure it is a bigblock car,maybe it is the numbers matching top end.I think the 375 hp 396 and the LS6 might have had the same heads and intake,but different camshafts.If the car ate a short blok early on,it could have been replaced with a lower performance one with all the high po stff added on.

[/ QUOTE ]

He listed the casting numbers and dates for the heads...one is a 1968 #840 head, so the top end is not original. The LS6 and L78 shared the same #143 camshaft....depending upon how the car is used, it might be cheaper to just leave it alone and drive it.

wilma