What do I look for when buying a used 454?

[NorCalTank]

I am shopping around for a 454 BBC for the 69. What should I look for when the engine is pulled and sitting in a shop or on a stand? Are there any tools I should bring?

Thanks for the help

 

[Mikey von]

I have no clue what to look for, but wanted to say hello to a local ck5er. I assume you are looking at some of the 454's that are on craigslist???

 

[sweetk30]

dont take anyones word for gold ! ! ! !

way to many ya its a 454 with a stocker crank and rec port heads and pop up pistons. when you get it home and find a 366 crap box.

get a good book to use for checking casting #'s and if you cant hear it run then basicly buy it as a core and if its good then you got a good deal.

not saying there all bad but way to many storys like this turn bad quickly.

 

[NorCalTank]

Yeah, looking at Cragislist. Dont have the cash to buy a crate one. Here is what is listed:


2 bolt standard bore/crank/rods, good condition, 1978 date code. heads have been completely rebuilt, new valves, 3/8 guides, springs, ect.....large oval port, not peanuts or med port . complete long block w/ balancer and flywheel....pan bolted on and lifters are set ,new FELPRO pan gasket and head gaskets....ran fine when pulled/ not fired with new heads

 

[K5TRLBLZR]

Check out the Sac. craigslist, There's a burb up in Pville With a 454 tbi t400 and 205.
Said 700 for the motor and 800 for the trans and tcase.
If I had the extra green I pick em up for a spare.
Good luck

 

[toomany]

When shopping for around rember the words cheap and big block don't ever go together. I spent $450 on just my block with crank. I shopped around untill I found a 2bolt with forged crank. Your best bet is to get a good book as sweetk30 said. SA Design has some good ones. How To Build Max Performance Chevy Rat Motors, Chevrolet Big Block Parts Interchange Manual, are two that come to mind. Basicly your looking for a book that has the casting numbers and how to identify the good parts. And don't be fooled by someone saying they have a high performance motor. All BBC's have High Perf" cast into them.

 

[chopped&bobbed77burb]

I bought a complete 73 2wd burb with a nice rebuilt 454 w/ paper work for $1300 and I drove it home . I would never pay big $$ for a engine on a stand . I've seen lot's of great deals on running 454's up here from $400-$1000 .