cv67

Local guy has a complete std bore 454 out of a chevy truck complete for $300

Not in a hurry to get one but thought if I do scatter this 383 it will be the last sbc I build.

Its fast makes decent hp or seems but miss the brutal tq of the BBCs Ive had.

are those typically 2 or 4 bolt mains? Steel cranks?

If I did do something with it Id steer this time towards a true budget build. Good fasteners, balance job up the compression alum head that Id hunt for a deal on/port myself, swap meet single plane and a ratty solid flat tappet.
Drive and abuse, not worry about it. Most the stock parts Id just toss more interested in a good block.
Tired of the high$$ buildups.

This a good candidate or no?

69427

Just my experience and limited knowledge of all the BB combos Chevy made: About 15 years ago I bought a 454 out of a '74 GMC pickup. (I wanted to build up a 427 and put the original '69 engine in storage.) This engine was a two bolt, and IIRC the crank was a cast unit. I used the block and rods out of the 454, and put a 427 crank and pistons in it. Ran great, and used it for about ten years (about 5k miles) before I pulled it out and replaced it with a home built ZL1.

Other than the (possibly cast) crank and the small valve cast iron heads of that 454 you're looking at, it sounds like a decent candidate for a build up.

JMHO

TimAT

Without pulling the pan, even if you have the casting number from the block, it's nearly a 50/50 shot on if it's 2 or 4 bolt mains unless the stamp pad gives up the original installation.
The heads will probably be the small peanut port type. Not great for performance, but rock solid in the low end torque department.
Don't plan a not spending a fairly large pile of cash to build it, or any BBC. The parts are NOT cheap. Even a decent forged rotating assembly is $700-$800 more than a SBC. On the flip side, for that money it's really easy to build a torque monster.

badrad

It's almost guaranteed to be cast crank, good thumb rods and peanut port heads. The 2/4 bolt blocks were randomly assigned it seems. Both of my truck blocks are 4 bolt, my buddies aren't. The crank and rods will handle a lot of abuse, I'd use them but go for some L-2465 pistons to get the compression up around 10:1. For about $4K you can have a pretty dang good BBC, just requires some thought and running across a deal here and there.

Check out Blue Collar 454 series for some good ideas on power levels achievable on a budget.

oldschoolvette

yes

It could be cheaper to buy a complete engine..but not nearly the fun

I would make a 427 out of it and be done

cv67

had a 390hp427 I originally planned to build for it yrs ago was stolen though. Block prices these days make me sick.
Studded 2 bolt main hold up to some 6500ish or so abuse?
guessing SFT in the 260ish range.
Just something to rump around town in and scream once in awhile when I stab it.

badrad

With good studs they'll hold more RPM than that. What are your power level goals? If you can get some 781 or 049 type heads that will go a long ways towards a serious street piece. A cam in that range isn't normally a TQ monster unless you throw a lot of compression at it. Once you get the plan together I'd be interested to know. Got a budget planned yet?

scottyp99

http://chevellestuff.net/qd/block_casting_by_year.htm

Go about half-way down the page, it describes how to tell a 4 bolt from a 2 bolt by looking at the oil filter boss. Doesn't work on small blocks, apparently. Crankshaft Coalition agrees (down near bottom of page) but says it's not 100%.

http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w..._Chevy_engines

Scott

badrad

It suppposedly true for pre-71 blocks. My two 4 bolt and two 2 bolt blocks are identical at the oil filter boss.

cv67

badrad not set on a hp#
My 383 is about 11.5:1 with a solid roller in that range love the way the car runs

Be happy with something similar (just not roller) just a lot bigger. Car has alot of gear so dont want to overwhelm the tires too bad down low. Not sure what hp the BBC would make. figure over the 500 mark now at some point. Maybe similar hp just more tq with the BBC just not sure how much. Solid 11 sec would be good...10s would be thrilled but not the end of the world if it didnt. Budget would be whatever it is just done without the super expensive brand name stuff any of it can break-something reasonable but if it popped I wouldnt cry about it

Shortblock I can do reasonably...got a good cooling system already and an AED 850 good ignition etc. Headers Id need, have a real nice mandrel bent 3" system on the car already

91turbo2

That is a very good price for a complete 454. The cheapest one I found was from a suburban, not complete, and left outside for quite some time for $500 firm. Sounds like a good build candidate.

badrad

Well with a well sorted car 11's shouldn't be too hard. If that 454 comes with PP heads are you going aftermarket or stock iron? Running a roller would make it easier, what about hyd roller? You won't need rect port heads but they typically have all the things you'll need, big valves and so on. I like Isky cams if you go FT, they have a couple SFT that are close to the specs you are looking at.

cv67

Id go aftermarket alum on the heads and port myself same with the intake
Had great luck with Isky FTs always have was thinking the same thing. Use some GM lifters
Know driveability may suffer over a roller but thats what vacuum pumps are for
Just want something simple and fun less to go wrong. If a cam goes flat Ill stick in another for 100 or so and drive it. Never had an Isky go south on me though

If I went roller Id try one of Straubs but the whole idea of this would be basic cheap fun.
Figure for under 5k I think I could do this just avoid all the shiny $tuff this time

badrad

Sounds like a plan. I'd push the compression to up the bottom end TQ, since you have a good cooling system and plan on aluminum heads why not? Edelbrock heads will probably be the cheapest and they respond very well to porting but you'll need special pistons to get over 10:1 compression. I ran into that myself with my RPM heads but my shortblock was already matched and balanced so ended up getting another set of heads. Sucks because these are already ported too, picked up 60cfm so they should make some power just have to do a different shortblock.

scottyp99

Well, that sucks! Shoulda known it wouldn't be that easy. Sorry about the bad info, I was honestly trying to be helpful. But, as my Dad used to say, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions." So, thanks for the good info.

Scott

badrad

It's not wrong, just have to verify the year. My buddy's '70 4 bolt -512 block is just like the link.

badrad

These are probably perfect for you, http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...ock-heads.html.

maverickmk

I think $300.00 for a running BBC you can't go wrong. If you don't buy it I will

scottyp99

That's a good point, even if you don't end up using it, you could flip it and make a few bucks. Plus, it's just cool to have a big block sitting out in the garage, as a conversation piece.

Scott

badrad

Did you buy it?