454 build(slow)

[-83MONTESS-]

Re: 454 questions

Did you try and turn the engine over before you tore into it?
Those heads appear to be just a standard open chamber smog era oval ports which probably
don't flow well. I would personally still look for a set of 049 or 781.
It also looks like #5 piston smacked the head to get that mark, if that is the case it is very
possible that head is cracked. So I would inspect thoroughly to find out what caused that(especially #5 rod)
It also appears that it blew a head gasket or somehow got coolant in your end cylinders.
If you can post some more pics of both heads,block,cylinders etc.

The engine actually turned over pretty easily which was suprising. As for heads they are closed chambered not open chambered. I checked out the head where the piston would have smacked it and it appears fine or atleast it looks like the rest of it. I actually just got a pic of cylinder #6(opposite of 5) and it has the same scratch mark! Im thinking it must be designed that way for some reason.
Normal piston

Cyl #6(same as #5)

Closed "heart" chambers

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Re: 454 questions

Another thing to add, when I loosed up the first head bolt on the passenger head, I heard the sound of something losing suction. It sounded like a plunger. I have only disassembled a few big blocks and I have never heard this. This happens to be the head where the first and last chambers look like they had coolant in them at one point.

 

[565bbchevy]

Re: 454 questions(PICS)

You might be comparing your small chamber style with big blocks but those are open chamber heads, closed chamber heads are refered to as a "bathtub" design. And I think a 454 came with closed chambers in late 60's to 70" after that I think just the 366/427 had them and they were in vehicles like dump trucks etc.
Listing for #14081045 - 1978-87 454 open chamber

 

[565bbchevy]

Re: 454 questions(PICS)

Actually looking at your much clearer newer pictures it really looks like there might be no carbon built up on that clean spot on the piston and the corresponding chamber.
Are you sure it is a deep scratch in #5 piston? Maybe if you clean the whole top of the piston it might only be carbon build up on the rest of it.This might have been caused by the engine sitting in the same position for so long.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Re: 454 questions(PICS)

Actually looking at your much clearer newer pictures it really looks like there might be no carbon built up on that clean spot on the piston and the corresponding chamber.
Are you sure it is a deep scratch in #5 piston? Maybe if you clean the whole top of the piston it might only be carbon build up on the rest of it.This might have been caused by the engine sitting in the same position for so long.

Im not sure if you would call it a scratch or not but its definatley not smooth. Im not sure what could cause it because its very "clean" I guess you could say. Almost looks like it was done by a machine because theres no jagged edges to it. I just tried to turn it over without the heads on and its just the bolt on the pulley turning so im hoping I didnt strip it when I tried to turn it over the first time. And yes im going the right way

 

[79malibubbctt]

Re: 454 questions(PICS)

Not a bad price for it. I paid 100 for my 427 tall deck truck block. Came with everything but the carb. I thinkallthe tall deck truck blocks are 4 bolt mains. They can also be punched to .125. The only difference between a car and truck block is the truck block is .400 taller. You cant run a car intake on these without a spacer plate and you need a slip collar distributor if you are going aftermarket. Im stroking and punching mine to. 070. Comes out to almost 515 cid. Im twin turbo mine with e85. Hope this helps. Also try and find a set if 781the heads. These are the best flowing open chamber heads.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Re: 454 questions(PICS)

Even though this is a truck block its not a tall deck. I have asked a few local engine builders and my instructor that specializes in BBC and they all have never heard of a stock tall deck 454 block only the 427. A dead give away is looking at where the waterpump bolts. If the top of the waterpump is close to flush with the top of the deck of the block its a standard 9.xx block. If the block is way taller than the waterpump mounts its a tall deck.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Re: 454 questions(PICS)

Well I finally got the time to tear down the 454 and I found that all the main bearings were junk. They all have deep grooves and scratches. The block side of the mains looks good with no damage but the #4 main journal on the crank has some bad grooves in it. I hope .020" will take care of it. When I pulled the oil pan off I found this...

It looks like something in the engine scattered and clogged up the oil pickup. Almost feels like tin foil. I also have a line on some 049 heads with new springs good up to .650" lift and all hardware included. If I cant fix the crank I will probly buy a stock replacement from Summit since a stroker is not in the funds right now.

 

[gbondo57]

Re: 454 questions(PICS)

I have a 427 "tall deck" I just put in my 79 elco. Not done yet. The sanderson BB3 or something from FATRODDER last year don't fit the elco G body with A TALL DECK ! How to tell, the bell housing will have "MARINE" on it, and just above the oil filter boss will have "TRUCK" upside down. The head deck will be .400 off the water pump. It is a dump truck engine, and will have 3 comp rings on the slugs. A standard deck surface is right on the water pump outlet. If it is a tall deck, it will be a 366, or a 427. They share the same crank, diff bore. 427 n 454 have 4.25 bore, 427 is3.760 stroke, 454 is 4.0 Don't know the 366 bore, but it's smaller. Cut your losses if it is. IF IT IS a tall deck, I have been told I might be disappointed, because the pistons are heavy. To really get out of a tall deck, You need another grand, for 6.535 long rods(+.400) and standard deck pistons. BECAUSE, I just cleaned up a good block assembly, modified the heads, lunati cam. IF IT IS a tall deck, I have all the hard earned how to's, like manifold spacers, n making em work. By the way those marks look like the bearings on the 5,6 journal were spun out.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Its been awhile since I have updated this mainly because im lazy and not good about taking pics. After further inspection of the 454 I realized that the crank is bent and cracked, 2 rods are bent, and 2 pistons have hairline fractures through the wrist pin holes. The block is good, but has some deep (looking) rust in 2 cylinders. I magnafluxed it and used some dye penetrant to confirm whether or not I could use it. The cylinders didnt even have a ridge at the top. I shot blasted the block to clean everything up so I can get ready to mill, bore, and hone. Heres a pic of the block right out of the blaster

I also went and bought a set of low mileage "049" heads. They came with new guides, seats and double springs good up to .650" of lift. Right now im looking at a .060" overbore, hypereutectic dome pistons with 1 valve relief, and a .540" lift Lunati hydraulic flat tappet cam. Im still on the fence as to what to do about rods and crank. A stroker sounds tempting since I need a new crank anyway but im not sure what type of clearancing needs to be done so I might just stick with an upgraded stock replacement. Oh and heres a shot of my bedroom floor :lol: