OK, Heres the scoop...Looking at my 454, I started checking out the main bearings and rod bearings....so far, everything looks good...got to talking with my dad, and Im thinking about just using the stock lower end (yeah, its got some miles on it for sure..but still looks ok) and just freshen up the heads and do a MILD cam for now. My question to you guys is...Do you think this will be alright..and everything would hold up, or would a fresh set of 781's and a cam be too much for a OLD lower end...Like I said, the bearings look fine though(no Blue burning streaks or chips or anything)??? I know I know, why dont I just wait and do it right, Well...Im thinking If I can get the BB going, I can Sell the 350 to get cash for the interior n' such. And I figure, Why rebuild it if its still good?? I'll probably romp on it every now and then, But Dont plan on ever hitting 6k with it,..In fact, Probably wont even have her to the track until I actually do a professional rebuild. But Just to drive around town, (and a little back road fun) So, As long as I dont push er' to hard..would this be OK??

from my own personal experience, drive it 'till you have the money to do it right. i took my 70 396 apart on a whim 5 plus years ago thinking it would be on the street in about a year.(a quick scuff-and-squirt!!)i'm hoping maybe next year!!! my kids laugh at me every day.... just wait 'till they need college money.......

I agree with Mr Fuzzy. At least after three years I got to drive mine again briefly. I catch tht same grief from my boys. My 14 year old asks if I'll have it ready for hime to drive to HS. Uhhh, No!!!

id say best off do it right the first time.it really depends on if you want to go through the extra work.i did what your thinking(my 160,000 mi 454-did a cam intake and carb change then next year spun rod journal. good thing on my car i can drop pan while motor in car-and changed rod and mains,just to find a rod journal on crank was .010 undersize in 1 spot-ewwww!!but this was the first performance engine i had,so i made time for it)by the way before i spun journal,car went 11.79@110(so i believe trouble paid off).so for now til new motor is built i just puts around with it (nothin above 5000 rpm)i think if you rebuild your 454 find a stroker kit(4.25 stroke)for some extra cubes the kits are everywhere and better off with new stuff that rework old abused metal of current rods and crank.new rotating assy start at about 1000 on ebay.build your motor a little bigger than you want so you can grow into it!!!good luck

Yeah I agree, I want to pull the 454 out of my '79 Burban and do it too (nothing wrong with it), but I am going to wait 'til I can make a 496 out of it. Wait and do it right.

There's no reason to cut a crank unless it is scored, so why not just clean it, polish the journals and reassemble? Personally, I would have the stock rods freshened up - new bolts and resize the big end. If the cylinders are not worn you can hone and re-ring. But, if all these things need correcting, you are foolish not to do it. Same goes for the heads, just do the basics. THe 460CI motor I have on the stand has a stock used GM 4" forged crank that is inperfect condition. My rods are reconditioned truck rods. I used Speed Pro Hypereutectic pistons. Sheetmetal (pan, timing cover, valve covers, etc.) are coming off the 408 motor. THe way it is headed, I will reuse the low miles oil pump from the 408 motor (just open it up, clean it and make sure it is good). All of my valvetrain parts from the 408 motor will be re-used.

You motor may not need anything, but it is a lot easier to verify it now, then when installed. If the part doesn't need replacing, don't replace it.