What do you think of this engine on ebay?


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/540-CHEVY-CHEVROLET-BBC-STROKER-496-540-REBUILT-ENGINE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34202QQihZ001QQi temZ110174634764QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW#ebayphotoh osting

Misprint/ that is a 4.250 bore in the pics. It also says 496 in the description. Someone mistyped, or is false advertising.
It is impossible to bore a 454 block to 4.500". And by the pics you can still see the factory valve reliefs in the cyls.

My friend is looking at it. Called him and said it's built on a 454 block??!!
"I called and the guy said they are standard decks not tall. He also said these are 454 blocks "

:confused:

I'm no motor expert, but I'm sure others will chime in. All I know is that when I was doing research before I bought my 540 I was told by multiple people that only a gen VI block could be bored to 4.500.

I didn't think that Cat rods were any good. The auction also states that "no white box parts were used", but lists an "aircraft quality" crank. No brand name mentioned.

Read his 21 negaitive feedbacks. I hope you don't plan on having it shipped!

Does this mean he overbores it (like into the water jackets) and then sleeves it??

2. THE BLOCK IS FRESHLY BORED AND TORQUE PLATE MOLY HONED AND IS 4.500 ON THE BORE. ALL BLOCKS ARE ALSO SONIC CHECKED TO ENSHURE CONCENTRIC CYLINDER WALL THICKNESS AFTER BORING AND HONING.WE INSTALL THICK WALL SLEEVES AND LEAVE A LEDGE ON THE BOTTOM (NO LEAKS AND SLEEVE WILL NOT DROP)AND FINISH BORE TO 4.500 WITH A NIMIUM OF .130 WALL THICKNESS

He told my friend that with this engine, you had 540 but you hide it in a 454 block.

Does this mean he overbores it (like into the water jackets) and then sleeves it??

2. THE BLOCK IS FRESHLY BORED AND TORQUE PLATE MOLY HONED AND IS 4.500 ON THE BORE. ALL BLOCKS ARE ALSO SONIC CHECKED TO ENSHURE CONCENTRIC CYLINDER WALL THICKNESS AFTER BORING AND HONING.WE INSTALL THICK WALL SLEEVES AND LEAVE A LEDGE ON THE BOTTOM (NO LEAKS AND SLEEVE WILL NOT DROP)AND FINISH BORE TO 4.500 WITH A NIMIUM OF .130 WALL THICKNESS

He told my friend that with this engine, you had 540 but you hide it in a 454 block.

So many mis-explained things in this description, I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. Cat cranks are the best of the best?:sad: Whatever. He did sell one in Sept. for $2856. I don't have a clue if it is possible to sleeve a 454 block to 4.5", but I've sure never heard of it.

The 13729 part number on the piston in the picture is for 4.25-4.375 bore. Not 4.5.

For some reason "eBay" and "fresh engine" don't go together to well. I would not pay $3500 for that.

I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole.

Best thing said in this post!! Dont even consider it.

So many mis-explained things in this description, I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. Cat cranks are the best of the best?:sad: Whatever. He did sell one in Sept. for $2856. I don't have a clue if it is possible to sleeve a 454 block to 4.5", but I've sure never heard of it.

The 13729 part number on the piston in the picture is for 4.25-4.375 bore. Not 4.5.

What's a nimium? Perhaps a component of the metalalurgy :confused: :D

The Probe Piston number on the piston is 13729 is available in 4.280 to 4.350" bore.

Gotta be a 496 at best. On my 4.600 blocks, the distance between bores is .240, roughly a quarter of an inch. He's over half an inch on these, no way that's a 4.500 bore. CAT is the best? I guess I've been misled by my machinist and other folks I trust. I'd better sell off all my Lunati and Crower rotating assemblies. Sure glad I caught it now before I used that junk in my engines!
Don't walk away from this one.
Run!

I do not believe this seller is a rippoff dude. Not a marketing or speller dude fo sho.
That's not allot of money for a bigger displacement short block that has been built by someone 55 years in the business. The seller leaves his number and anyone interested can call to quiz the guy. 496 0r 540? ask him whatever you want about it.
Build that motor here on Canada and you would pay way more. And now that our dollar is worth more than yours that shortblock looks cheap.

A 502 would a make a 540??

I think it would by boring it .030" over and dropping in a 4.25" crank!!

pdq67

Thanks guys. I was not comfortable with this description either. Wanted to get other opinions to make sure I was thinking okay.
I'll let my friend decide though. He's found a local 454 and I've been leaning him towards punching that .060 and spend the rest on heads.

What's a nimium? Perhaps a component of the metalalurgy :confused: :D

Who said nimium? :D Besides, I'm from Texas so I have a legitimate excuse to mis-pronunciate!:yes:

If your 454 block will clean up at .030, don't waste the cylinder material for a few cubes. It's a different story with Big M and Bowtie blocks, they have plenty, but bore your production piece just enough to clean it up, IMHO.