Well my project build may be starting earlier than expected. I posted a wanted add for a 454+ block and someone emailed me from SF (im in sacramento) He has a 73-75 454 Block out of a pick up which I heard was good to use. It is .30 over and has rods and crank assembled. I may not even need the other stuff depends on quite a bit. But hes asking 225.00 which sounds right what I was looking to spend on a block. What should I check before buying. Should I get some numbers to decode? Tall decks don't work well I hear too, because of space? Sounds like just what im looking for though.
Also I know .30 over isnt a 496, isnt it a 468? Would it be any less work or money for the machine shop since it's half way there? Hah, I wouldnt think so... but I think I'd need a little more bore here.
Let me know what everyone thinks, and stuff to check. smile.gif

4 inch stroke + 060=468 4.25 storke + 060=496 This is with a standerd deck 9.8 454 block.Try going to Parish automotive or Bud Walmer both really good shops in Sacramento smile.gif

Phil,
A .030 over 454=461 and a .060 over =468.
To reach 496 with a 454 block requires a 4.25in stoke crank (a stock 454 has a 4.00in stroke crank).

What would a .30 over block with the 4.25 Crank be? Or would that even fit. So .60 over and 4.25 crank is where I will start smile.gif

I know realize what I need though smile.gif I'll check those shops in town. My next question would have been what shop to go to. Thanks guys. Hey, BB... I clicked your link your running a 496 with a Barry Grant Hm? That looks like what I am going to build, how do you like it? And the BG Carb? I've always ran Edelbrocks. But this build will probably not have one.

30 over 454 with 4.25 stroke is a 489

I'd rather have a quadrajet as a performance carb vs. an edelbrock carb. First choice is always Holley graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Nice ride Robert! 11's? graemlins/thumbsup.gif
I never really studied what a Quadrajet can do. I thought they were ol' stockers. I may be way off. I'll read up on them. The BG's just look so nice! Whew smile.gif So any last advice on this block, im going to look at it tonight or Sunday in SF. Going in for the kill! How fun, new engine.

This is a different block than the one I was talkign about. This guy wants to sell for 350, everything included but the heads, 500 w/ heads (I dont think I want them)

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL133/1037587/2296356/47338537.jpg
http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL133/1037587/2296356/47337891.jpg
http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL133/1037587/2296356/47337818.jpg
http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL133/1037587/2296356/42819037.jpg

Those heads are the 049's if I read them right on the picture. Those are the better of the stock open-chambered heads, along with the 781's. I've only built one engine but that engine looks fine for $350. I don't care who did the machine work and even if a block looked squeaky clean I'd have it hot-tanked and magnafluxed by a local machinist you know to be certain, at least in my opinion. Those heads can be very good for the engine, especially if they 'breathe' better than the closed chambers (kind of a debatable topic), but from what I understand you can make compression better with closed chamber heads and possibly have a chance at still running a bit lower octane (with the right piston type, quench, etc etc), but that's just how I understand it..I'm still learning for my own 496 buildup (hopefully, that is). Price sounds right for the heads and I've seen them go for higher on eBay when they look good, but then again it's just how you're going to want your set-up to run.

Also, I've never had a Holley or Edelbrock, but just Rochester's. I went from a 2-bbl to a Q-jet. When built right they're really good. To me they are 'simpler' than others just from reading diagrams and easier to tune the simple stuff, which is good if carbs are too complicated for you. They have really great throttle response though, and the small primaries really do give great milage and a the big secondaries are a big kick. I can't directly compare to Holley's since I've never run them, but someone will always say, 'Why do you think GM put Q-jets on all their cars in the first place?'

[Edit]: by the way, I'm referring to the block/heads in the pics, not the previous one you were talking about.

Yep,she still runs in the 11's,last time to the 1/4 mile track I had a 11.97 and 11.99 with less than desirable traction. I'd give 500 for that motor with the 049's. I just bought a complete 72 454 (everything cept for the qj carb) for 500.00,all pulleys on the front,PS pump and brackets,water pump,HEI,alternator,starter,hardly a lip in the cylinders with a burnt valve. The 049's are excellent heads for your purpose.

Hmmmmm tempting now. I think this is out of a 73 Chevelle. So the 049's will aide good in a 496 build? I was just scared of buying used heads, Ive done some really minor work and engine rebuils but never a full build. I wanted to go almost everything new or rebuilt. And if I buy used heads and they need a rebuild or valve job, I could probably afford new heads for that with my discount! Maybe I'll look more into this guys now, Ive only got like 300 to blow at the moment, I could wait a week or so. I'll try to get more info, thanks for all the help so far!

I was thinking about putting on some Edelbrock Aluminum heads. So I might go for the first deal. 60 over is the limit right? Some people say it might be too much. Since this block is .30 over already maybe I should snag it and go .10 over if it needs to be cleaned up.

Originally posted by pnutkemist:
I was thinking about putting on some Edelbrock Aluminum heads. So I might go for the first deal. 60 over is the limit right? Some people say it might be too much. Since this block is .30 over already maybe I should snag it and go .10 over if it needs to be cleaned up. I think the .060 over being max is for small blocks, I'm pretty sure I hear big blocks going .125 over and still being comfortable.

Watch out for that guy in san jose. I was gonna look at it a couple weeks ago and when i talked to him he tried to jack up his price from what he said in his ad. It seemed shady so i just walked away from it.

Really? There are 2 guys in that area that emailed me. One has a 454 .30 over for $225 w/ misc stuff, rods and crank, not sure what type. And this other guy with the pics I posted above is the one that wants $350 for mostly stock 73 Chevelle block. Probably that guy I imagine.

Well, let me know if anyone has any stories or ideas for this project!

:D

Most of the big blocks are sound enough to bore way past .030. Of all the G.M. blocks the Big Chevy has the thickest cylinder walls. I have a marine block which has been punched +.125 making it a 482. It has been "O" ringed and has 13.5 Compression a has never shown the slightest cyl. wall problem. It runs like most 502's. 9.98 @ 133.7 in a 3500 pound Chevelle with 4.10 gears. I'd still sonic check any block you plan to bore just to know how much you could get away with. The new Edelbrock cast Chevy "3390" heads are a good investment and will drop about 65 pounds off of the motor.

Thanks Harold, Im definately going to need help with a head selection. Im pretty sure some type of Aluminum Edelbrock head. The CC and all the chambers, that stuff is kind of new to me when it comes to how it till perform. You are running 9.98 on that? Dang. What kind of transmission and gears? Keep in mind my 454-496 build will be "very streetable" so nothing to extreme here smile.gif Im not looking for 9's or 10's. Unless I had another car....
graemlins/hurray.gif

The car has a 4.11 geared Ford rear end and a ATI Turbo 350 Transmission but did this time with a very good set of "335 CNC" Dart Pro 1 heads. Ran 10.48 with Chevy Heads. A friend has a more streetable 496 with about 10.5 comp.and weighs over 3800 pounds with him aboard that runs 10.7 & 10,8s. The Edelbrock alum. ovals are a good head along with the chevy "3390" ones. Also available is the new Race Rite Oval from Brodix which should be very good.