Colleague of mine is restoring his 81 Airstream limo, it's a motorhome set up as a limo from Airstream. He pulled the 454 and bought a 502 ramjet from Berger Chevrolet to install during the frame off. I've got to say it's a pretty impressive understaking seeing a full sized motor home going through a frame off.

I asked about the 454 and went out to see it tonight. To my surprise it has PASS HI-PERF cast into the block. That has peaked my interest a little bit as this motor is the original with a March 81 casting date and an April build date and only 50,000 mile. Anyway the casting number is 14015445 which checks out as 78-90 454 4 bolt main. I don't know the casting # on the heads yet. A couple of questions on the block if anyone can help. Front pad number is CB3312189, anyone have any info on this? Also what would the number 20 cast along with the PASS HI-PERF indicate? High nickel?

Thanks for the help.

High Nickel content was generally 1970 - 1972, maybe 1973 for a 454....By 1978 the nickel content was reduced. It may have been a nice 454 out of a pick up truck that is not a tall deck. Those things were very solid, dependable and ran well.

Not sure what the front pad number decodes to as far as year, make & model.

The 'C' could vbe for Chassis as chassis and frame were delivered to motorcoach and bus manf's for further manufacturing of the designed vehicle.