454-Powered 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Barn Find
The last time a Chevy Monte Carlo could be ordered as a Super Sport with a big-block 454 cubic inch V8 was in 1971. While the SS would return in 1983-88 as the rear-wheel drive versions of the car were on their way out, the powerplants would be considerably less robust. Wanting more juice, someone before the seller dropped a 454 into this ’86 SS. It was parked sometime after 2015 due to a brake problem and has been dormant ever since. From Columbus, Ohio, this Chevy project is available here on eBay where $5,414 stands as the latest bid.
From 1970 until 1988 and again from 1995 to 2007, Chevrolet was in the personal luxury car business with the Monte Carlo. A lack of popularity did not do in the car, but changing market tastes did. In 1986, the Super Sport would be more than one-third of all MC output even though it only had a 305 V8 under the hood that was rated at just 180 hp. But the car looked badass with its aluminum wheels, rear spoiler, sport steering wheel, sport mirrors, tachometer, and more.
As the story goes, the seller bought this car eight years ago with the 454 already installed, lifted from a Silverado or a Suburban. But it only has a 2-barrel carburetor, so we must wonder about that choice. After driving it for a while, something went afoul with the brakes and the fluid all leaked out. The seller got busy, and life got in the way, so fixing that issue never became a priority. After sitting out on the street for a time, an attempted theft resulted in damage to a door lock, ignition, steering wheel, and dashboard, which have not since been repaired. The keys have also taken flight.
The Chevy took up residence in the seller’s garage after that, where the black paint is said to be in nice condition even though covered with years of dust and dirt. We’re told the engine “diesels” when you try to run it and oil leaks into one or more cylinders, hence bigger fish may need to be fried. The A/C requires recharging, and the car has a vibration at high speeds. So, it’s being sold as a project that someone will have to invest time, energy, and money into straightening out. But the idea of a 454 in a later Monte sounds intriguing.
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Comments
Question.. Did GM even make a 454-2? I never saw one. Unless there is a adapt plate on the intake for a 2 bbl . Question also is why? What type of trans is bolted to the 454? The seller states a imbalance on the wheel. It could be from the drive shaft not balance. This is a major project but if you have the cash time and knowledge this can be a wicked ride. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
The only big block I know of with a factory 2bbl was the 69 396
It looks like a 4 barrel on the motor if you zoom in
454 is externally balanced, if they used the flexplate from the 305 there is the vibration.
Yes, and info on the rear axle/diff ?
Chevrolet never put a 454 motor in a 1984 to 87 Monte Carlo super sport car..notice how close the air box is
If it is the original rear, it is a 3:73
Wouldn’t touch it with a 10 foot pole. Maybe 3k$ but that’s even high. These are far from rare. Just on this page we seen how many this week? They are not a “muscle car” so in my opinion 5k $ is top dollar for a nice basically original used car.
Parked on the street, then in a barn, with no cover, bad engine, trashed interior and no brakes. Take the $5400, and run.
Looks like an Edelbrock performer 2-0 intake which is a 4 barrel. 3500 car imo.Gonna be a money pit and too many unknowns you’re going to run across fixing this one up.It’s going to be a now it needs that now it needs this and nickel and dime you while being aggravating.I always work that into a price equation too when buying a car.Time is $ imo.I’ll pass . Glwts.
This isn’t worth more than scrap
A bolt falling from a truck took out the brakes? I’m sure it has nothing to do with the car being in the rust belt but ok.
The 454 in this car is the tall deck truck block,different heads and different intake from the 454 found in cars.There were 455 2bbl engines,but never seen one on a 454.could be a good project in the right hands.
There were no 454 tall decks
Where do you get the idea that this is a tall deck block? If it is a 454 there were no tall deck 454s, there were 366 and 427s in a tall deck but what makes you think it is a tall deck, serious question?
You’re correct. The tall deck 366 and 427 were medium duty truck engines.
had the ambition to “drop” a 454 in it but cant bother fixing a brake issue? sounds like we’re not being told the whole story
Nightmare waiting to happen, pull the motor return it to a small block
Be Better off just snatching out that 454 & put it back stock with the 305. Those Monte’s had the sporty looks but that was it. Enjoy it for what it was built to be. Just show!, The Buick Nationals were the cars to be had from that era.
Well, grabbing a steering column from the wrecking yard (with a 🔑) and re keying the doors and trunk also with a donor set is an afternoon job. Brake lines? No problem. The owner bought the car already swapped to the BBC so, he is not very ambitious and possibly not…. Well I won’t draw conclusions. Either way he might just be guessing it’s a two barrel. I see the mounting surface of an AFB or Edelbroke carb. I’d mess with it.
Forget the 305, they were only good for boat anchors
306 only good for boat anchors
I wouldn’t mind buying it if the price was about 1/3 the amount it is currently bid to. I really wonder if the seller is as clueless as he appears to be or if this an act. The bolt falling off a truck is actually Ohio rust. This would be fun to play with but it would have to be bought REALLY cheap.
Man , most here don’t see how much fun this car could be. It don’t have to be a show car. Just make it safe and build the drivetrain and have a blast. Running and driving it will sell for 10k all day long.
Don’t bother with this one. It’s a tall deck truck block and as hodge podged as the rest of the car. Owner is playing dumb and trying to unload a nightmare. Leave it be!!
Oh jeez for that matter it’s likely a 366!?! You ain’t kidding.
Not only NO, but HELL NO!!!!!
That car would be a fun project. But some unanswered questions are in play & that price is steep giving it’s condition especially the brakes situation. I have a 350 from a IROC Z-28 that I’d drop in it. Get rid of the weighty 454. Time & $$$ could really turn it into something nice.
Hmm.. I wouldn’t mind making an offer on it but NOT at that price.. Only way to get close to that current price is IF it has a clean body..
In Ohio? Doubtful.
Can’t believe the bid is up to nine grand on this thing. Someone is going to be way upside-down with this one.
I say, strip it all out… The entire drivetrain… The whole suspension… And all the brake system…. Start from scratch. LS swap/4L80… 9″ with a good tubular trailing arm set up… Tubular front A arms… Stiffer lowered spring rate or air ride… Big brake swap and the 18″ factory honeycomb reps. Stock top… Swapped bottom. Sell everything you take out to someone who cares to buy it.
Too high a price to do that. You would be better off finding another car to do that to.
I always liked the looks of these over the same era Camaros, but this one is too hacked up inside for me. Looks like you’d be chasing electrical gremlins for a few years.
Wow you mean someone didn’t grab this “fine auto” already? Lmao
I bet the last bidder at that price is wishing they skipped that last late night drink. HhhhaaAa
The only thing missing is a sign on the doors in white letters reading”$$money pit$$”.It has been said before,a fool and his money quickly part ways…