I have a 454 big block i'd like to have rebuilt i live in the SE Houston area and would like to know if anyone is up to the challenge time and money are not an issue you can take as much time as u need i'm in no rush to have it done and installed. any takers?

 

check on the regional boards

 

ok i worded that wrong, i meant was can anyone give me and suggestions as to what specs would be good for a rebuild bore, stroke etc.

 

Bore: As little over-bore as required to clean up the cylinder walls. Typically .030" over, 454's can take .060" over with ease.

Stroke: Stock.

Pistons, cam, induction: Depends upon heads being used, use when completed, etc.

 

It really depends on what you want to do with it, how much $$$ you have to invest, and what components you may already have that are in good shape.

I am doing a top end rebuild on my 72' pickup with a 454 due to a cracked head, and its been a learning experience. It is used for hauling / towing so I have selected my components based on that.

Do you plan on running stock heads? Racing, Towing, or offroad? It would be helpful to know your overall goals before we could give you much advise.

 

have the stock vortec heads, someone said they're penut ports but i'm not sure so i need more opinions there.

 

i'd like to use it for both driving around and racing

 

Well there not really good HP heads but they will work ok on the street. Nothing really Vortec'ie about them except you dont adjust the valves, just tighten the rocker arms down and go. This can be nice except your limited on cam grinds. Good thing is a stock short deck intake from any BBC will fit between the heads and bolt right on. I was looking into a Crane, Jegs #270-138601 when I going to keep my 1st VI BBC roller but got cheap when I had to sell the engine. A GMPP HO 454/502 cam would work nicely with your other wise stock 454 and will even work with your current valvetrain parts with no modifications. Thats the route Im going when I eventually get a BB back in the truck.

 

ok cool, well right now she's a bare block, and from what u just told me i've decided to stick with stock heads. but they are also bare i wanted to get rid of the stock gm valves and springs. so the only thing i wanna keep from that motor originally is the crank, the block, and the heads. where should i go from here?

 

I am using a Crane Jegs Part #270-103042 in an otherwise stock 454. Stock Heads, Headers and Weiand Intake. Its a step up from stock with better performance but mainly for towing and low end with a smooth idle. Keep in mind this is much different than the previous cam posted due to difference in application. Think about the RPM range your looking to run when selecting a cam.

 

If the heads are bare asy then dont keep them. There actually quite expensive to replace parts in due to the shims sitting under the springs. My machinest told me you cannot convert them for an adjustable application so your stuck with a grind that is configured for this valve train only, like the above mentioned HO 454/502 cam. The shims prevent this since the spring pocket is a good 1/4 wider then a standard BBC pocket.

 

guess they're now paper weights now huh