$500 a good price for a 454 block?

[mofugly13]

A friend of my GF's has a 454 block he said he'd sell me for what he got it for, $500. Good price or no? He's an engine machinist, and it's been hot tanked and checked for cracks. I'm not really loking for a BBC, I was wanting to build a 383 and asked what a prepped block would cost, when he threw this deal out there. What do you all think? I have no idea what a rebiuldable BBC block would cost. He still didn't give me a ballpark figure on what a prepped 383 SBC would cost, so if any of you have an idea, give it to me. Thanks.

 

[thor]

NO, NOT for a bare block. If it's a complete and rebuildable motor, yes.

 

[JeffHK5]

What thor said !

Jeff

 

[DavidB]

Work him down...I'd do BBC over 383...but that's just me.

 

[big pappa b]

Not no but HELL NO! You can find a running 454 for that

 

[RootBreaker]

I can get running 454's for $300-$500 and maybe even fuel injected... with current fuel prices.. glad I didnt go bb

 

[thebigdaddyof2]

A complete running (rebuilder) BBC with all brackets and accessories will set you back a little more than $300-$500...more like $600-$800...at least in this area.
I believe there is a BBC (or two) on the For Sale board.

 

[Ryan B.]

I have a big block 454 complete minus carburator. great rebuilder or a very possible runner. 1985 454 2 bolt main.
Had some deadbeat bidder on ebay bid on it and it looks like hes not gonna buy it.
$400 cash. come get it tommorow or on sunday in santa clara.
Block casting # 14015445
Head casting # 14081045

 

[diesel4me]

wow!~

An engine like that would go for 800-1000 bucks at a boneyard here in the northeast easy--a TBI 454 would bring even more!...wish I could buy a 400 dollar 454!--I'd either use it,or sell it for 2-3 times what I paid!..

Oh,and dont be fooled!--a big block often gets no worse gas milage than a small block does,in many cases they do BETTER!--I had a 454 in one truck that got 2-3 mpg MORE than the 350 I took out did...

 

[stayaway]

wow around here 1000 to 1400 for 1 would buy 1 today for 300 to 500

 

[RootBreaker]

An engine like that would go for 800-1000 bucks at a boneyard here in the northeast easy--a TBI 454 would bring even more!...wish I could buy a 400 dollar 454!--I'd either use it,or sell it for 2-3 times what I paid!..

Oh,and dont be fooled!--a big block often gets no worse gas milage than a small block does,in many cases they do BETTER!--I had a 454 in one truck that got 2-3 mpg MORE than the 350 I took out did...

here in NJ they are about $1k too.. however my father's friend owns a junkyard..... so you say sometimes the mileage is better?
im gonna get cash up... instead of puttin dough into this 350.. im thinking of a 454 as my father can get me one for $300 complete and running..... all I have to worry about is emmissions....

 

[diesel4me]

go for it!

If I could buy a big block for 300 bucks in running condition,I'd grab it fast!--(and tell no one until I owned it! )...if you build a big block up with a cam,headers,a big 4 bbl,yes,it will swill gas faster than a small block--but a stock 454 with a q-jet carb like I had from a 74 Chevelle gave 13-15 mpg in my 74 K20--I only got 12 with a 350 it had,and a 400 small block with a Carter carb only gave 10-13 mpg..and it had tons more torque than the 350,about the same as the small block 400...

I like big blocks for a number of reasons--they work less hard,last longer,are more suited for heavy vehicles,plenty of power,--and best of all,the BLING when you open the hood,and see that monster engine with those huge valve covers!

 

[TJS]

Yes, here in the Northeast prices are high. I got an LS-7 block, all apart. It had some usable parts, crank(forged), heads large square ports, and block. That was about it. It had factory 7/16 forged rods and 11:1 pistons. A couple of the pistons got hammered cause of a broken valve. I paid 1000.00 for it cause it was an LS-7 motor. I sold the factory forged pistons and rods on e-bay and made some of it back. Yes the numbers match. Plus it was a virgin block (uncut). It is for my Jet Boat. I am putting all good parts in it now.

T.J.

www.tjsperformance.com

 

[mofugly13]

Damn, thanks Ryan, I'm thinking I'll take it. Don't know when I'll be able to pick it up, though, as deer season is in full swing, and I'll be away every weekend until the end of September. I'm out the door in about 20 minutes, I'll give you a call...

 

[puckhead]

I'm buying a virgin 4 bolt main bare block for 600.00 (fairly common price)

 

[Ryan B.]

Damn, thanks Ryan, I'm thinking I'll take it. Don't know when I'll be able to pick it up, though, as deer season is in full swing, and I'll be away every weekend until the end of September. I'm out the door in about 20 minutes, I'll give you a call...

Cool dude. let me know. I'm available in the week nights as well since weekends don't work for you.
Also, 4 bolt mains are awsome for big HP applications.. but these 2 bolt main blocks can be conveted to the splayed 4 bolt mains and then its supposed to be stronger than 4 bolt main blocks, probably around a $500 investment at a good machine shop.