Spicergear, or anyone with 454's
I uses a 427, but it's basically the same block design. I used a deuce and a half 3053A overdrive tranny and 13" clutch set up instead of the T98. Whatever you do, give yourself some a couple of inches off the firewall with the distributor and you'll have the room up front. I've got an HEI distributor, untouched firewall, four V pulley on the crank and a aluminum radiator with clearance all around the engine. It will fin pretty decently. Expect the pan to be close to the front pumpkin with the suspension flexed. You can either use a stock oil cooler design or go with a remote filter and cooler combo. Or...just slap on a filter and go. Let me know if you need a manual external balance flywheel for 454. I used old muscle car exhaust manifolds...shouldn't be too much difference to later model ones, to keep the exhaust somewhat close to the engine. I didn't have too, but wanted to and did move the frame horn motor mounts ahead on the frame and then used GM rubber and captive bolt motor mounts. The big block is a good fit and even clears a civvy heater.