Picked up a 454 block
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
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2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Picked up a 454 block
I picked up a 454 short block(crank rods pistons cam) for $250, standard bore, 2 bolt main. It’s a 14015445 casting number and date code is Feb of 1982.
The intention is to do a moderate build and swap out my SBC 350 with it when it’s ready. I’ve done some looking on other threads on here and it seems fairly straightforward of a swap.
what are the general thoughts on the 445 block?
Question, many of the swap threads I read involved an older 454, a 289 or 512 casting #, this being a later year(1982) is it still easy bolt on? Motor mounts will fit? No clearance issues? This is going in a 1975 vette.
I know things like brackets/accessories will need to change. That’s fine. Motor mounts and clearance are my concerns.
Thanks
The intention is to do a moderate build and swap out my SBC 350 with it when it’s ready. I’ve done some looking on other threads on here and it seems fairly straightforward of a swap.
what are the general thoughts on the 445 block?
Question, many of the swap threads I read involved an older 454, a 289 or 512 casting #, this being a later year(1982) is it still easy bolt on? Motor mounts will fit? No clearance issues? This is going in a 1975 vette.
I know things like brackets/accessories will need to change. That’s fine. Motor mounts and clearance are my concerns.
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
no diff but the casting number and date code. come 91 or 92 they deleted the fuel pump mount as they were all efi. i like the 96-02 version as they were factory roller blocks. dished or flat pistons in this one? you can't use your 350 flywheel, even though it bolts on...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
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2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
no diff but the casting number and date code. come 91 or 92 they deleted the fuel pump mount as they were all efi. i like the 96-02 version as they were factory roller blocks. dished or flat pistons in this one? you can't use your 350 flywheel, even though it bolts on...
My only concern is that there are no numbers on the passenger head area. To me that says the block has been decked? I took the guys word on it that it’s standard bore, I’ll be checking soon enough though.
Race Director
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From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
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Make sure it has proper holes for clutch cross shaft if needed. It's a one piece main seal...so takes a specific oil pan if you're planning to change it. Motor mounts will be fine. Again..make sure you get right flywheel.
What heads are you planning? There's some quirks there also with later blocks/early heads.
JIM
What heads are you planning? There's some quirks there also with later blocks/early heads.
JIM
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
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From: Lubbock TX
^ Sorry, Jim, but that's a 2-piece RMS block. Only smallblocks went to the 1-pc in the 80's, big blocks around 91.
OP: Should be a good starting point, make sure to have it magnafluxed and checked closely before you begin work on it.
OP: Should be a good starting point, make sure to have it magnafluxed and checked closely before you begin work on it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
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2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I’m going to take the crank out today and look for any damage/scores and the like.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 63
Likes: 19
From: Long Island, NY
The first thing to do is to have the block checked by a competent machine shop. They will advise you the rest of the bottom end. I went with all forged components.
I used the Performer RPM heads. Be careful with the head selection. Some have different exhaust port heights. The Performer RPM have the original exhaust port location so you can use original cast iron manifolds.
Headers for a C3 with a big-block can be a pain especially when the exhaust port height is not taken into consideration.
.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: SW Florida.
block decked? turn the engine until a piston is at TDC. see if piston is flush with the deck or down a bit. in fact, go to lowes or harbor freight and pick up a 25 buck set of dial calipers. then you can measure bore, journals, how far down in the hole, etc. your bearings will either say GM100 and a month-year date, or FM or SP or some other aftermarket stamp and std, .010, .020, .001, etc. the pistons if oversize will have .030 and a non=gm number on them. this was a truck motor. i did have an .010 overbore from the factory 454. and it didn't say anything. may have forged crank and 4 bolt mains. probably only 3/8ths rod bolts though.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
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2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Update
got the motor apart in the garage. Not the best findings. The crank main and rod bearings have a 010 stamped on them. Tells me the crank has been ground 010/010.
And the pistons have a 040 stamped on them. Tells me the bore is 40 over.
Not as good of a find as I thought it was. And it changes my plans.
Not sure if I should try to reuse the crank(it appears in good shape visually, no scores) or just buy a new one, standard size. The point of buying this short block over a bare block was to save money by reusing the crank. I’m just not sure if my goal of 550-600hp would still work with the current crank.
I need to actually measure the bores, but I am fine with a 60 over. Does anyone have any thoughts on 60 over? From what I’ve read that is still plenty safe for big blocks with 600hp tops
got the motor apart in the garage. Not the best findings. The crank main and rod bearings have a 010 stamped on them. Tells me the crank has been ground 010/010.
And the pistons have a 040 stamped on them. Tells me the bore is 40 over.
Not as good of a find as I thought it was. And it changes my plans.
Not sure if I should try to reuse the crank(it appears in good shape visually, no scores) or just buy a new one, standard size. The point of buying this short block over a bare block was to save money by reusing the crank. I’m just not sure if my goal of 550-600hp would still work with the current crank.
I need to actually measure the bores, but I am fine with a 60 over. Does anyone have any thoughts on 60 over? From what I’ve read that is still plenty safe for big blocks with 600hp tops
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: SW Florida.
Stay at 40 on the bores. Get crank Miked. If good, run it at 10. Post pic of crank. 2 or 4 bolt mains? And we don’t like 20 cut cranks. You cut a crank 10 and you are still in hard metal. Cut 20, you have cut through the surface hardness. Post bore pics too.
Last edited by derekderek; Jan 16, 2022 at 12:58 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
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2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The bores are not the best shape; rust and scratches. the short block was kept outside under a carport for 14 years. I think boring out to 60 over would ensure good fresh metal. Even though it was kept outside I could turn the engine over by hand, it wasn’t seized at all.
The crank, although ground 010/010 appears to be in good shape. All journals pass the fingernail test.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
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2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 414
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Redondo Beach, California
Reads like you're on a budget, nevertheless I'd like to mention that aluminum heads will save you over a hundred pounds off of the front of the car. That's a good place to loose a lot of weight.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
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2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Like most people here, I have spent more on my car than it’s worth, and this 454 swap will just add to that deficit lol
but yes the original plan was to find a solid bottom end and buy moderate aluminum heads for it. Still most likely the plan.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: N J
For hood clearance, a Performer rpm intake, holley 4150 with a 3" filter in a drop base ac and your stock hood will clear.
Edelbrock 750 with electric choke, non drop base and a 2" filter will close the hood also.
Edelbrock 750 with electric choke, non drop base and a 2" filter will close the hood also.