This is a follow up to the post about me asking what was better to build....I need to know what year 454's are worth rebuilding and what should a going price would be for one.

My old motor was a '73, new motor is a '74, 2 bolt mains and it went .100 over easily. I gave 500.00 for the complete motor minus carb. even had pulleys and power steering pump on it.

I got my running '97 454 for $750 off www.racingjunk.com (http://www.racingjunk.com) it's got 4 bolt mains and it's machined for a roller cam.

You guys are lucky. I could only dream of finding something like that for so little.

I ask because I was afraid there was a certain year where GM went cheap and changed the structual integrity of the block. I hear the small vin pad engines are junk and known for core shift.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7948648042&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Heres one I found 90 miles from my residence. It was partially burned in a fire so I dunno if it would still be any good or not.

I paid $300 for my 1973 454 and $125 for #215 closed chamber heads.
Rest of the rebuild/parts cost me another $2075
I also ran some 1978/79 vintage 454's as well.
Up to the late 80's is fine IMHO..not sure what year the Mark V started

I bought a 1987 454 out of a running suburban. Turned out to be a 4 bolt.

I got my two bolt main 454 with 781's and a TH400 out of a '76 suburban for $400. The truck was on its way to a pick and pull.

4FTTY4, have you had the engine rebuilt yet? If so, any core shift problems?

I have a 454 from the same vintage suburban (mine is a 77) that also came with 781s and I've heard some people say that these had coreshift problems, while other's say they are just fine. Mine is a 959 casting.

Thanks for any info.

I had the motor bored .030 over and the heads rebuilt, and it should run tomorrow. Everything looks good so far. What do you mean by coreshift? I haven't heard anything about it, but can ask the guy who did my machine work when I see him.

Gen V started in 1991.

Coreshift is when the casting moves and you get an asymmetrical block. Makes for thicker/thinner walls yada. things just are true center.

I've heard to stay away from core shifted blocks unless you're building grandma a low powered engine for her station wagon. Not me. It's gonna be ran like it was built to perform.