454 on the cheap?

[tyler__820]

So in my recent web surfing on Pirate and CK5 i am thinking i want to put a 454 in my truck. Like they say there is no replacment for displacment, my questions are how much would it kill me to build a cheap one, if its even possible, or should i just freshen up a stock one and toss it in?

 

[63chevyll]

i see running BBs oll over craigslist from 600-1000. thats not a bas price for a starter BB.

maybe recam it an reseal it. that would be the cheapest route

 

[dremu]

"Cheap" and "big block" do not go in the same sentence. Ever. Hear me now and believe me later...

-- A

 

[shadowwalker_02]

"Cheap" and "big block" do not go in the same sentence. Ever. Hear me now and believe me later...

Quoted for truth. My "cheap build" bbc has ran me about 4-5k now. Its always the little stuff that will nickle and dime you and it has done that to me. Prime example I now need new rocker arm nuts. It all adds up after the machine work/head work/assembly.

 

[Ned Kelly]

I bought complete 1975 3/4 2wd 454 pickup that had a broken timing chain for $500. Stock rebuild on the motor cost $2300 (or $2500 at most) and the only thing we changed was to go to a Competition Cam 260H series. A mild cam with great low end torque. Carb done by local Quadrajet guru was $250. Love it, budget build. I would do it again. Way more power than the original 350.
My friend did the same but got the 268H cam. It's great too.
Long as you get a decent price complete 454 with carb and all the accessory brackets, a near stock 454 rebuild shouldn't be too much more than a 350 build.

Car Craft had a $2500 454 build with the 268Hcam,
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_1010_cheap_big_block_chevy_engine_build/index.html

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_1101_demon_engines_454_engine/index.html

Phone a local engine shop and see what they would charge for a similar mild build.

 

[RootBreaker]

So in my recent web surfing on Pirate and CK5 i am thinking i want to put a 454 in my truck. Like they say there is no replacment for displacment, my questions are how much would it kill me to build a cheap one, if its even possible, or should i just freshen up a stock one and toss it in?

then id say ramjet 502 not 454.. u want diiiis-place-ment....

i had a chance to go 454... but i goofed none the less.. i figured id stay 350.. but where i goofed was i could have bought a k30 dump truck for $600... 454/auto/dana 60/14bff/ dump bed and i had the cash but procrastinated... could have bought it... sold the drivetrain and had enough money to rebuild the 454.. think it was an '86.... sheeze i should have...

 

[Ned Kelly]

Tyler, just be patient and look around for a 454 vehicle, or a complete pulled engine with all accessory brackets. While your waiting save money for your rebuild. My setup has worked excellent in mud/snow with 454/th400/pn205/4.11/39.5" Swampers. Engine is all stock except the cam mentioned above, takes regular gas, stock convertor in the trans. You will love the torque increase with the BBC.

 

[tyler__820]

Thanks for all the info and advice guys, im definatly in no hurry as my 350 is still running and my money is consumed by my place of residence and my son, go figure on that right? Anyway ill get to build one just in due time, and im kinda scared to get to much power and have to upgrade my dana 60 shaft and all the guts, but im sure there are a bunch of you running stock 60s with a BBC.

 

[Ned Kelly]

Yes. Locked 14ff, open 60 frt with stock shafts.
And darn, I just found a local 1982 Winnebago with a running 454 and TH475 (basically a TH400 with 1st gear being straightcut for extra strength). Guy wants $600 for motor and trans.
I had to buy it as a spare.

 

[1BEATK5]

look for the older 70s truck engines. request that the seller removes the valve cover and look for the 781 or 049 head castings. you might as well start with good parts instead of wasting money on low rpm junk.

my version cheap 454 build

1 used 454 that you hear run. check hot oil pressure, check head number.
2 ring-bearing-gasket-oil pump-timing chain kit
3 pick your fav. big rv or small performance cam
4 alum intake and headers
5 modded hei.
6 smile big when holding down the go-pedal

this is basically whats in my burb and it goes well.

 

[b454rat]

I've done a couple SB to BB swaps, biggest pain is if you don't have the P/S pump or alternator brackets.

I picked up a complete, heard it run 454 with all accessories, A/C, alt, P/S, and something else for $600.

 

[Ned Kelly]

look for the older 70s truck engines. request that the seller removes the valve cover and look for the 781 or 049 head castings. you might as well start with good parts instead of wasting money on low rpm junk.

my version cheap 454 build

1 used 454 that you hear run. check hot oil pressure, check head number.
2 ring-bearing-gasket-oil pump-timing chain kit
3 pick your fav. big rv or small performance cam
4 alum intake and headers
5 modded hei.
6 smile big when holding down the go-pedal

this is basically whats in my burb and it goes well.

Beat,
What headers are you using?

 

[tyler__820]

Should i also be looking for oval port heads over the rectangle ports? iv heard they make better power with the ovals.

 

[howdiy]

781 heads are ideal

Jegs $100 dollar headers fit on my truck, my engine isn't in the exact stock location though

 

[COCHEV]

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_1010_cheap_big_block_chevy_engine_build/index.html

 

[1BEATK5]

Beat,
What headers are you using?

some old thorley's.

 

[1BEATK5]

Should i also be looking for oval port heads over the rectangle ports? iv heard they make better power with the ovals.

there are 3 major designs of stock bbc heads

1 retangular port. good for high rpm. not good for a truck
2 peanut port. great for torque down low. lack of horsepower over 4000rpm
3 big oval port. 781/049. ports small enough for torque, but big enough for good horsepower to 5500rpm in stock form. these are the ones that everybody wants.

 

[Blue85]

Really, rebuilding engines isn't cheap. A cheap big block means you don't rebuild it - just swap it in. No matter what the numbers say on paper, a bigger engine moves a truck better. How much power do you really need?