Guys,

I have been offered a 1978 454 Big Block from a wrecked car. I have a 350 in my Chevelle right now and have been on the look out for a 454 to make her complete.

Don't have the casting numbers yet... but am told its a late 70's vintage that was recently rebuilt. An inspection of the valves show a clean engine with no evidence of sludge.

What should I look for when I get to check it out. The number on the table now is $2000. Any help or advice you can give would be really be appreciated.

Thanks, Dan

Can you hear the engine run?

If it's really rebuilt $2000 doesn't sound bad.

It is out of the vehicle so I can't hear it run. I am told that it is a recent rebuild and that the vehicle was wrecked but they guy is selling the motor so I am taking all this with a grain of salt.
Wondering if I should pull the heads and take a closer look.

Is it a stock rebuild? you can get a complete kit (pistons,cam,oil pump, etc) from northern auto for under 400 bucks. But what you still have is a 8 to 1 stock replacement motor. Theres a shop in Pheonix that will sell you a rebuilt 454 for 1099 exchange. Now if its a performance rebuild, decent heads,cam, aluminum intake, and all the brackets,pumps, pulleys, sounds like a decent price. Jim