ok what do I have and what can I do with it?

[Grumpy]

Recently I purchased a 1977 GMC High sierra. Anyone who knows the truck would know why I bought it. The engine.

A 454 instantly caught my eye, even though the body was utter garbage, the engine would be a good project. Only now do I actually read up on that year of engine.

Horror stories of low horsepower, weak engines that are less than that of a 350. How do I avoid this?

I believe it had a loping cam in it, and it uses a holley carb probably from the 80's. I haven't been able to look at it closely since I still have to retrieve it from a friends I was storing it at.

Is it the low compression? If so, how do I increase the compression without going supercharger? Sorry for lack of details, will try to fill in more when I actually get the truck back home.

I always suggest you start by posting
the block and cylinder head casting numbers
and doing a compression test ,
a truck that old may not have the original engine still in the engine compartment.
I,ve purchased several wrecked trucks and motor homes for the drive trains in the past, if the price was right it could be a good value

carefully reading the info in the links and sub links will help

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/casting-numbers-vin.93/#post-13041

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ig-block-heads-and-casting-s.3960/#post-10600

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/what-to-look-for-in-a-good-engine-combo.9930/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/big-block-recipe-needed.12450/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...54-bbc-engine-have-any-power-potential.12343/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/454-bbc-on-the-cheap-well-to-start.11739/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/cheaper-454-chevy-build.4620/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ting-big-block-chevy-454-cam-dyno-test.10181/