Anyone have a 98 3500 srw 4x4 454??

'98 is a Gen VI 454. Comparable in capability to the diesels of the day. $3500 I say you did well.

Gen VI motors are the pick of the litter for GM big-blocks for sure. (With possible exception to the The multi-point sequential injection was better than anything else GM offered on a V8 prior and 13-15 mpg is possible, downhill with a tailwind. . The injection and compression increases in addition to the head design are the major improvements in design over the older Gen V 454s ('91-95 in most trucks). I think they have coil pack ignition too instead of the standard GM HEI type system. (coil, electronic controlled distributor) Also the Gen VI motors came from the factory with hydraulic roller cams and lifters.

Both Gen V and VI big-blocks have a few improvements over the previous Mark IV engines ('64?-'90) that make them much more leak free, and reliable. Coolant flow was changed from serial to parallel flow through the heads to cure the overheating issues that plagued pre'91 trucks that were worked hard at low speed. (Read: farm trucks!) timing chain drive was changed slightly to avoid pre-mature failure of the crank sprockets. OEM sprockets had nylon finned teeth that tended to break off in time. Chain slips, piston slaps valves, valve carnage ensues and that was the end of a lot of surviving '88-'90 big-block trucks. I have no idea if earlier trucks were affected but I do know that the Gen V motor in my '89 C3500 (not the original motor as it was replaced by GM under warranty, most likely due to overheating issues... ) had solid nylon teeth on the original sprocket that looked to be in perfect shape with somewhere between 60-80K on it.

Other improvements over the Mark IV were the oil pan and timing cover gaskets, and one piece rear main seal.

That engine will last 200k+ easily. Keep the oil clean, the tach reasonable and don't be afraid to load it heavy and put your foot in it. They were a true HD gas truck engine built to work. Yeah, guys get similar power and even have 400+ inch small-blocks but what a small block will do on the track/dyno once in awhile, a big-block would do day in and day out.

People that complain about the mileage were not working the truck hard enough.

 

Known this truck since 2003 or so, owned it since 2012. 80k on the clock. Grew up with an '89 K3500 ext cab single rear wheels. We bought it with 30k in '92 and ran it until 2003 when dad traded it for a new DuraMax. 160k on that one. Also drove a '94 3500 roll-back with God knows how many miles for a few years.

Why yes, I think you can load'er up without fear. You will want good trailer brakes (both axles...) if you are loading both the truck and trailer tho. Note that the suspension on a SRW is not the same as a dually. I don't know about '98 but on mine, I have a Dana 70 under the rear while the duallys came with a Dana 80 or a 14 bolt.

Price is good if the body and frame are clean and in good shape!

 

Worst part about most pre2001 heavy duty's is that you are on your own for wiring for electric trailer brakes. Newer trucks you just mount the controller, plug in the pigtail harness and you are done. The last few years, the trailer brake controllers have been built into the truck from the factory.

Please note that I do not consider functioning brakes on trailers rated over 3Klbs optional. Can it be done? Certainly. It's even legal in some states. But it's not smart or safe to tow without 'em.

 

It's not so bad. If the truck has a 6 or 7 way connector already, then you need to run power from the battery to the controller, ground to the controller, signal from the brake pedal switch wire, then power from the controller back to the brake pin in the connector. ETrailer.com put out a bunch of good videos ("This Old Trailer" on YouTube) on how to get 'er done. I've done a bunch but it shouldn't take you more than an afternoon.

 

Accurate description! Lol. The farm I grew up on had an 85? C3500 454 4bbl dually with a flatbed that pulled a steel cattle trailer (24'). Had dual fuel tanks and needed 'em!

Truck was helpless in a pasture tho. Always took a big 4x4 tractor with us into a wet pasture!

 

I think the Silverado has more upgrades, like electric windows and power seats n stuff?