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454 tech questions... got another, got more ?'s post 17

POORBOYK5

POORBOYK5

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So, I've somewhat torn into my 454. Mainly to inspect the intetnal condition, and replace seeping gaskets.

I'll also be converting this thing to T.B.I. So I have a couple of questions about that as well.

I'll start with the more serious issues at hand.

1.)I pulled the intake and noticed that the Cam was slightly off center of the lifters. Is this normal?

2.)Then. I pulled the timing cover off and noticed it had one of those poly cam gears, are they ok? Or should this be converted to cast? What are your opinions on gear drive?

3.)After removing that, I noticed that there wasnt a cam retainer on the front of the block. Not supposed to be there? (having one would also mean that the cam would have to be farther back in the block, thus mis-aligning the cam and lifters even more) Could it be the wrong generation cam?

4.) what are your opinions on these flat tappet cams? good enough? Not looking to turn high R's or anything...

5.) Since I'm going to run T.B.I. Iremoved the mechanical fuel pump of course. Is it ok to remove the pushrod from the camshaft to the pump? (wasn't sure if it would affect oil pressure in any way)

6.) Should I be changing the cam when swapping to injection? Not sure whats in it now for one. This was a Marine motor, and I know they changed out the cam when they converted it to an automotive app.


Thanks for all of your input!

DSC01179.jpg

DSC01184.jpg
 
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Yes, take the fuel pump pushrod out, no worries there.
Are the threaded bosses there in the lifter valley for the spyder retainer?
May need a computer friendly cam, or a stock TBI or TPI cam.
 
Spyder Retainer??? I dont follow. It had a cast intake on it.. and will be getting a similar cast intake for the T.B.I.
 
ahh, Duh. Now I follow. I just went to the garage to look.... Nope, no bosses..
 
NEWENGLANDK5 said:
So, I've somewhat torn into my 454. Mainly to inspect the intetnal condition, and replace seeping gaskets.

I'll also be converting this thing to T.B.I. So I have a couple of questions about that as well.

I'll start with the more serious issues at hand.

1.)I pulled the intake and noticed that the Cam was slightly off center of the lifters. Is this normal?

2.)Then. I pulled the timing cover off and noticed it had one of those poly cam gears, are they ok? Or should this be converted to cast? What are your opinions on gear drive?

3.)After removing that, I noticed that there wasnt a cam retainer on the front of the block. Not supposed to be there? (having one would also mean that the cam would have to be farther back in the block, thus mis-aligning the cam and lifters even more) Could it be the wrong generation cam?

4.) what are your opinions on these flat tappet cams? good enough? Not looking to turn high R's or anything...

5.) Since I'm going to run T.B.I. Iremoved the mechanical fuel pump of course. Is it ok to remove the pushrod from the camshaft to the pump? (wasn't sure if it would affect oil pressure in any way)

6.) Should I be changing the cam when swapping to injection? Not sure whats in it now for one. This was a Marine motor, and I know they changed out the cam when they converted it to an automotive app.


Thanks for all of your input!
Click to expand...

(1) That is normal

(2) Nylon cam gear is not the best i would install a quality Cloyes double roller chain and gear set

(3) BBC's don't use a cam thrust plate EXCEPT on the tall deck engines that are reverse rotation 2 gear gear driven.

(4) Nothing wrong with a flat tappet cam, hydraulic rollers make more power but are ALOT more expensive.

(5) Remove the fuel pump pushrod and install a block off plate for the fuel pump

(6) EFI requires a cam that is computer friendly so unless you know the exact specs on the cam i would replace it with a TBI cam.

If you're planning on doing a proper TBI swap DO NOT run a gear drive as the knock sensor will detect the noise as a knock and start retarding timing and ruin the engine.
 
Thanks Scott!
Found out today that it does still have the marine cam in it. He (previous owner) purchased another one but wanted to see how it was going to run with the marine one first. He was satisfied, and I am too... Still waiting to find out the specs on it to see if its gonna be compatible with the TBI.
 
I cant add much to what Scott said except. You dont have to get a new intake to convert to TBI. On eairler TBI 454 GM simply put an adapter on the carb manifold.
You can usually find the adapter in wrecking yards cheap. Bolt it to your manifold and yur good to go.
 
I have the Tbi manifold already. My carb manifold had the thermo choke stuff sticking out of it and I wanted all the little crap to mount like factory ( coil, map, egr stuff etc..)
 
I read your PM, then saw this thread.. I've worked on a gazillion crusaders over the years.... more than merc probably... I'll reply here to get info public, tonight for ya... i gotta run out right now... Scott covered the important stuff, but I'll throw out marine stuff for ya...

was the motor carbed, or TBI in the boat? TBI's are the LS series motors... ok, I see now it had a mechanical pump..... that'll be the standard quadrajet BB....

i can get cam specs for ya but it won't be till monday night, possibly tuesday.....
 
Any help is greatly appreciated! I'm in no real hurry, this wont be in the truck for another couple of months anyway. Still building a fund to get the rest of the little things I need. Still gotta strip all the paint and repaint it pretty....
 
Also, instead of starting another thread... I'll just ask here as well.. I have a set of the OEM valve covers off of a 95ish 454 the "finned aluminum" ones. I noticed that they dont sit flush on the lower part of the head. Is it normal to have to grind off the small "alignment" lip? It seems thats the only thing keeping them from goin on all the way.
 
ok, so I'm getting back to working on the 454 since the second small block crapped (free used one) I've got to swap the cam to be TBI friendly (I have new cam and Lifters). the engine has signs of recent rebuild. Do I have to replace the cam bearings?
 
Nno reason to replace the cam bearings unless they have a signifacant amount of wear.
 
POORBOYK5 said:
Thanks Scott!
Found out today that it does still have the marine cam in it. He (previous owner) purchased another one but wanted to see how it was going to run with the marine one first. He was satisfied, and I am too... Still waiting to find out the specs on it to see if its gonna be compatible with the TBI.
Click to expand...

If you are going to reuse that cam and you take out those lifters, MAKE SURE you keep them in order and label them so each lifter goes back in the exact same spot.

Edit: Well, I guess that was old and you have a new cam now. But still keep that in mind if you ever reuse a flat tappet cam and lifters. Also, be sure to properly breakin that new cam so you don't end up with a flat lobe or 5.
 
the "new" 454

So as some of you saw in my build thread that I bought another 454... I was at the local Upull looking for the near impossible to find serp set up. Walked out with a 89' tbi 454 90% complete(with serp set up). I tore into it a little bit, considering you never know what you get from our u-pull. They dont run or test anything. Figured if all looks good I'd run it in the Jimmy till I can afford to finish the other 454. Swapped on my Edelbrock TBI intake, changed some gaskets, etc.. Everything inside was VERY clean. No residue or build-up in the valleys of the block or heads. So on to the Lower end.

1. did Gm ever stamp the rod/cap with 1-8 or was this only done during rebuild?

2. Is it worth pulling any rod or main caps to inspect bearings? Or am I asking for trouble?

3. Anything else I should check while its on the stand before I drop it in?

It looks like someones been in there, noticed the pickup tube has been welded or brazed on..

big block.JPG

DSC01981.JPG

DSC01982.JPG
 
GM never stamped con rod or main halfs with numbers, it's been rebuilt at some point.

Rene
 
tRustyK5 said:
GM never stamped con rod or main halfs with numbers, it's been rebuilt at some point.

Rene
Click to expand...

That is incorrect Rene. In the later years GM started stamping the rods and mains of engines, BBC's have had the mains numbered for many years though.

Poorboy, EVERY factory BBC since the early 70's had the oil screen tac welded from the factory as they were prone to coming loose and falling off.
 
4X4HIGH said:
Poorboy, EVERY factory BBC since the early 70's had the oil screen tac welded from the factory as they were prone to coming loose and falling off.
Click to expand...
Oh, I was unaware of the factory weld.

I knew the mains had #'s cast into them but the rods/caps were stamped at some point.

what about pulling a main and rod cap to inspect bearings? Worth it? or just run it?

On another note. I noticed there's a code stamped in a machined flat area above the timing cover below the intake. whats the relevance of this? Its on both of my blocks.
 
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