I picked up a complete 454. I pulled the heads off. Is there easy way to see if the block has been bored out and if so how much? I will be pulling the crank and rods & pistons but I was curious if there is a way. I have included some pics of the bore. Also one of the pistons in it now has a "10" on it.

Any help is appreciated. P.S its a 73 block (2-bolt) and 049 heads. Thanks
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/asbill71/IMG_0594.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/asbill71/IMG_0595.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/asbill71/IMG_0596.jpg

well, the "10" on the pistons probably means it's .010 over bored..
what measurement did the caliper give you?

I don't know how to read the thing.... I usually just use it as a guide to see if 2 pieces are the same. I don't have a clue what the numbers are telling me

Tough to tell by your measurements in the pics, but the caliper shows 107mm which is the equivalent of about 4.21". The tape measure looks like 4-1/8" which is 4.125". Neither are large enought for a 454. 454 bore starts at 4.250". You sure you don't have a 396 or a 402 there? Got a castng number off of the block?
Post another pic of the caliper so we can see the dial's display.
Also hard to tell if the top of the bore has the eyebrows cut into it, but if it does, don't measure there.

I agree with Jim. The bore looks to small to be a 454. Maybe .010 over 396 or 402.

Tough to tell by your measurements in the pics, but the caliper shows 107mm which is the equivalent of about 4.21". The tape measure looks like 4-1/8" which is 4.125". Neither are large enought for a 454. 454 bore starts at 4.250". You sure you don't have a 396 or a 402 there? Got a castng number off of the block?
Post another pic of the caliper so we can see the dial's display.
Also hard to tell if the top of the bore has the eyebrows cut into it, but if it does, don't measure there.


That is the way I read it too.

the block casting # is 3999289. Which shows to be a 454. The date casting on the head says 1973. Here is a closer pic of the dial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/asbill71/IMG_0606.jpg

107.92 millimeter = 4.248 inch
I'd call it a standard bore 454.
Might measure the hole with the '10' on the piston to see if it's the same.

Well, 108mm is closer to a 454 bore than a 396. Does the needle on the face of that caliper rest on "zero" when the caliper is closed?

The prongs that you have pointed up in the first pic can be inserted into the bore, then pull 'em tight to get your reading.
Go to your closest Harbor Freight and pick up one of their digital calipers. You can get one similar to the one you have for about $15. Once you zero it, it'll tell you what you have. Much easier to read for the layman than the type you have.
Or load it in the back of a truck and haul it down to Ed's Machine and have 'em give you a quick reading.
That piston doesn't look factory, I'd bet you have a .010 over block.

It's definitely a 454, but you might need a bore micrometer to determine if it's been bored 10 thou... especially if it has any noticable cylinder ridge at the top of the bores..

yeah that tape measure is showing it bigger than 4 1/8th using it incorrect. To get a halfass measure of a hole with a tape, lay the 1" mark at one edge and rotate the measure across the bore while watching for the largest reading. Subtract 1. Surprisingly accurate.But you want to know if it's standard or whatnot, and those cheap junk plastic chinese metric 1/64th" piece-o-crap-calipers will do it if you follow Gary's advice and get the points down in the hole perpendicular-to-the deck-like so they stand a chance of finding a true diameter instead of all sideways where they ain't telling you squat.

use a telescoping gage !!

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