FWIW: You can get a complete, brand new FORGED rotating assembly- crank, rods, pistons and bearings all neatly balanced for about the same money you'll spend getting that crank turned, block bored, new pistons and reconditioned rods- and still have to get the bearings.

A 454 block will take an .060 overbore and laugh- add a 4.25 stroker crank and make 496 cubes. Or 489 with a 4.00 stroke. A pair of good heads, a decent cam, and you get into 500hp territory really quick and easy.

 

Are you thinking something like a kit from Summit or some place like that? And what is a reasonable price to pay for the setup that you described?

Thanks for the support guys, I appreciate the moral support. I'm just going to be mellow on this build, learn as I go, and see where it leads me. And, if I can do this....anyone can!

Deja

 

Hey Tom....how much would you need for the heads? Shoot me a PM when you get a second. Thanks!

Deja

 

I have removed the other head from the engine, and found that there was NO rust issues present at all!! Yes! So the rust is contained to the left side cylinders. Another noteworthy item....there is absolutely no ring ridge in the cylinders at all. I breezed over this when I took the first head off, probably because I was blinded by the rust issues. I was expecting some ridge, but NO ridge was a shocker.

I have been contemplating....in a meditative state....what I should do with this motor. After deliberating with me, myself, and I...I have decided to go for it. I will press forward. Some preliminary rust removal has been promising, and so I have tilted the motor on it's side, and have partially filled the rusty cylinders with Marvel Mystery Oil. This appears to be softening the rust, and with any luck, will seep down and free up the rings from the cylinder walls. It can't hurt. If I can get the crank to rotate, I will pull the pistons out. Aside for the rust, the internals actually exceeded my expectations. Perhaps it has been rebuilt in the recent past....who knows. But for right now, onwards we go!

Deja

 

Deja, sent you a PM.....thanks.....Tom

 

Look at places like CNC-Motorsports, AD Performance and Ohio Crankshaft. That's just 3- and they all have options that can be added on too- internal balance, different rings and bearings, different pistons- a long list.

 

that is a fantastic project that you are under taking. I can not wait to see more!!!! nothing beets the roar of a 454. back in the day in high school i had a 76 Gran Prix that i swapped the original 400 (i think it was) for a 454, wow big difference. i cannot wait to see it in the car.

 

Don't forget about Flatlander and Competition Products they sometimes have stuff real cheap, on clearance. Jegs will price match identical, stocked, non sale items, how I got my carb from them for like $40 cheaper.

 

Take that engine apart and clean everything very well, get a stroker rotating assembly with a .060 pistons, and finally do a nice valve job with a 2.19/1.88 valves to the heads, you'll get yourself a 500+ HP after just doing that, and best of all, it would look absolutely stock from outside!

 

So pleased you have decided to give it a go!
You may lose a few hours on her BUT if she does turn around, think of the satisfaction of being able to say you saved what most people woulld have thrown!

 

The definition of courage-knowing your going to get shot at, but you mount up anyways. You've got courage young man. Go for it. Keep us posted with lots of pictures. Don't be afraid to holler if you need something, parts or especially advice.
Bee Jay

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I certainly appreciate the fine words of encouragement...it's always needed. As I mentioned before, this is my first complete rebuild, and I am just jazzed about it! It's been fun so far, and I can't wait to get it all put together!!

Deja

 

If your ever in Hampton VA, ill show you what a 79 with a 454 can do! Good luck.

 

Today was rather productive, even though I slept in and relaxed for the first half of the day. AND I got in a nap too!! How decadent is that?! Maybe it's just laziness...but either way, it was sweet. It's the little things in life.

I completed the final teardown of the motor today...so there's nothing left except the freeze plugs. #1 and #3 cylinders gave me the hardest time, since the rust on the walls had a significant ridge to get past. I was actually able to get #1 out through the bottom, but the other had to come up and out. Couldn't find a 2x4 to use, so an old piece of firewood kindling had to suffice. Hey...wood is wood, and it did the trick.

Overall, the engine is remarkably in good condition, not withstanding the obvious rust. The other cylinders are in great condition, with no ring ridge whatsoever. The bearings are marked as "std", so either this engine is very low mileage, or was rebuilt without the need to do anything special to it. There is some minor scoring of the crank up towards the front half of the engine, but even that is not too bad. There are other journals that are smooth as glass. Not sure how you can get a mixture of each, really? Debris in the oil? Speaking of which, the oil was black, with lots of water mixed in, but no metal shavings at all. No heavy sludge. So really, I could not be more pleased, given the rusting issue. It ALMOST looks like a guy could hone off the rust and re-ring it, but it's going to get bored out anyways, so "she's a keeper"!! Take a look.

Passenger side head....a LOT better than the other.


All torn down, taking a "victory swing" from the engine hoist!!




The harmonic balancer had something big happen to it....since it had separated from itself. No good can come from that.


A little scoring on the crankshaft...but I've heard of and seen a lot worse.




















The block looks perfect under the bearings...so no spun bearings at all. Good deal!





Cam bearings are good.



Cylinder bores......







Oil pan is lookin' good.....



Pistons on #1 and #3....NOT so good!





Timing chain....almost no wear.



And finally.....the happy little pile of internal parts. A well deserved reward for a hard day's work.




Next step.....it's off to the machine shop to get an estimate for some work on the block. 496 cubes....here I come.

Deja

 

Oh.....does anyone out there have any of the brackets for the 454....such as alternator or power steering? Basically I need all of the components on the front of the engine. I was thinking of using aluminum pulleys, but I think a retro approach to this build is in order....so pulleys too if you have any spares laying around. If you do, let me know how much you are asking, and I will rustle up some dinero!

Deja

 

Those bearings and the crank appear to be juat a hair away from spinning- a crank that rough is not pretty. The picture of the bearing shell- the spot that looks like a little "bullseye"= that's trash that embedded itself into the soft bearing metal- just as it's designed to do.

That balancer was just about to dis-embowel itself. Caught that one just in time- it'll make a good trash can liner.

Those nylon teeth on the cam gear look amazingly good- must be a fairly low mileage engine. You'll want to install a good double row chain back in there anyway.

Looking good so far!!

 

That 454 had way too many belt driven accessories, lol.

 

wow...obviously going to need a crank too.
I'm interested to see what you do, because I have the identical 454 that I'm in the process of rebuilding( same block,head combo). Mine shedded a chunk of the #3 piston (trw 2465 .30 over).
If you decide not to go with Toms heads,let me know, I've been looking for a set of them,and I'm only about 40 miles from him.

 

I actually think the crank is salvageable, but it will undoubtedly need to be turned, maybe .20 or .030 under. I'm not building an 800hp monster, so it shouldn't be an issue.

I will let you know on those heads too. There is a local guy here that has a set, and I am waiting to hear back on the casting numbers...so I hope to hear something tonight. Sounds like the set that Tom has are really nice!

Deja

 

Stopped at a local machine shop today to get some idea of the cost to have the block hot tanked, bored, and new cam bearings installed. Looks like just a little shy of $500 from them. Another shop quoted $375 for the same. To grind the crankshaft is about $140. If I wanted to have the block decked, add another $175 to that.

I have also researched a stroker rotating assembly, and unfortunately I think that it's a little out of my budget, and would kill the whole "budget build" concept. So with that in mind, here's what I am thinking......have the block bored .030 over with new cam bearings, crank ground and polished in order to re-use the existing crank, stock piston rods, maybe some forged pistons (either flat tops or a small dome), PERHAPS having the block decked (this will bump the compression up about 1-point, which is ok, since I want a little more compression but still want to run super unleaded), and 110cc heads ported and polished. One I have done that, then I can decide on a solid camshaft that will match the heads....and maybe give me a little bit of a thumpy idle. I need the car to be streetable, and not be ill-mannered. Keeping the compression lower than 9.5:1 will allow me to use high octane fuel and out of the race fuel stuff.

I think with the engine assembled in such a way will yield a relatively low buck, higher horsepower, higher torque motor than stock. Not sure exactly the numbers that could be had with such a build, but I am guessing somewhere in the 400 hp range. With the stock 350's being under 200hp and low torque, this 454 should be able to breathe some life into that Vette and give me some respectable seat-of-the-pants performance.

So far as the other stuff....I will use a good double timing chain, stock valve train with the exception of roller tipped rockers. I am unsure if an aluminum intake is the way to go or not, seeing as how most of the aftermarket intakes are significantly taller than the oem intake. I would prefer to keep the engine as short as possible...so perhaps someone can recommend a good low-rise intake that will fit beneath the hood. And the exhaust will most likely be cast manifolds mated to a true-dual exhaust with chambered mufflers.

If someone sees anything askew with the setup that I am pursuing, feel free to chime in. I think my laundry list of parts is pretty mild, with the cam selection being the most critical to this build. And again, if you have any parts that might fit the bill for what I am doing, send me a PM. Thanks guys!

Deja