back on the bbc kick

[blazin_blazer]

i recently obtained a 366t and also a 454...i've been told that the 366t came w/a steel nitrated crank from the factory(very desirable), also that the 366t crank in my 454 block makes a 427(my all time fav bbc)...the 454 runs so i'm going to use it until it gives up the ghost, then i plan on building it into a 427...so over time, i plan on collecting parts for the 427 engine build. i have several questions, but my main question is did the connecting rods in the 366t receive the same treatment as the hardened crank? if not, are they still ''good'' rods? if so, i could go ahead and have them recon'd and have my new 427 pistons hung on them ready for a rebuild.

this is my very 1st big block, so to clarify, when i do build my 427(i may try to find another 454 block & build the 427 shortblock, & eventually just do an engine swap)...are the 366t crank and 427 pistons be the only ''unique parts'' for the 427 engine? meaning, all the parts from the 454 will be the same as whats in/on the 427? are the 427 pistons even different from 454 pistons? kinda like in the 327sbc's piston connecting rod placement is different from the 350sbc pistons connecting rod placement?

will the 454 flywheel and balancer be the same as a 427's? the reason i ask these questions, is b/c i'd like to buy some look good & performance parts for the 454 while its being swapped into my truck, i.e...aluminum intake, headers, valve covers, aluminum timing chain cover, chrome oil pan, etc., but i don't want to buy anything that won't work on the 454 to 427 build. thanks in advance.

 

[blazin_blazer]

anyone? i'm curious b/c i have found another bbc to build into my 427.

 

[DEMON44]

I dont know for sure. but I'd like to know too.

 

[smalltruckbigcid]

Ok the crank is externally balanced on the 366 and internally on the 454. The 366 crank is damn heavy so getting it to balance with your 454 stuff is doable but not cheap. I think the flywheel bolt pattern is the same though.

A new Eagle crank is about $800 to make your own 427 out of a 454. Personally I'd build it into a 496 before I'd go backwards to a 427 because the cost is pretty much the same....

 

[4X4HIGH]

Ok the crank is externally balanced on the 366 and internally on the 454. The 366 crank is damn heavy so getting it to balance with your 454 stuff is doable but not cheap. I think the flywheel bolt pattern is the same though.

A new Eagle crank is about $800 to make your own 427 out of a 454. Personally I'd build it into a 496 before I'd go backwards to a 427 because the cost is pretty much the same....

Actually, it's the other way around. ALL BBC's are internally balanced EXCEPT the 454 which is externally balanced.

IIRC the rods in a 366T and 427T are different than all other BBC rods, the pushrods are different, intake manifold is different, pistons are 4 ring on 366T and 427T, 366T and 427T use a reverse rotation cam with a 2 gear gear drive.

 

[blazin_blazer]

yea, intake looks like its made for a holley/square bore/4 indidual holes in intake.

so is the 366t crank in 454 block/454 rods/427 pistons a working combo

and just to mention it mortec says ALL bbc used the same rods, & they list the truck motors...have to look into this more

i'd love a 496...but every1 i've seen built w/oem 454 block...breaks, ussually con rod to cam iirc...the 427t blocks are the only large cid engines 1/2 way dependable....imo

 

[blazin_blazer]

how is the $800 cost of aftermarket crank the same when i already have everything except 427 pistons....& a cam & intake, & a few purty things that doesn't matter cid anywho

 

[4X4HIGH]

I don't always trust what Mortec says so if i can remember tomorrow i'll look in my connecting rod book and see if the 366T rods are the same or not. If the rods are the same then you can install the 366T crank along with 427 pistons into a 454 block and make a 427 BUT you better balance the engine to make sure the weight of the crank isn't so far off that it vibrates the bearings out of the engine.

 

[folkenheath]

Unless you have a racing class where your limited to less than 454 cubic inches and you are going to rev the p!ss out of it to make hp all you are going to accomplish is less torque and power by destroking your 454.

Also, if that crank really is nitrided, then it won't be anymore once you get it turned for new bearings unless you send it off to get it renitrided. Nitriding is only a few thousands depth.

A cast crank doesn't need to be nitrided because it wears less in the first place. It's just not as strong.

How can you say the 427 is the only big cube reliable engine? It's actually a small big block and there are millions of 454s and larger running around working just great for decades. And if you have that 427 machined by the people that you know of all the 496s that blew up than the 427 will probably blow up too.

I guess what I am trying to say it you'll probably be a lot happier if you just rebuild the 454, there's no replacement for displacement! (especially in a low RPM truck engine)

 

[80' 427]

I didn't read all the posts cause well I am lazy. I am using a std 366t crank in my camaro 427. The 366Ts have thumb rods that are better than your standard 3/8th rod. My crank was nitrided and was nice enough to stay std. You can do it but I would got to a scat 4.25 crank first. Of course I do love the sound of a 427 at 7k.