Besides checking casting numbers, are there any other ways to externally identify the different big block engines?

A 454 is externally balanced... The harmonic balancer and flexplate/flywheel should have addtional weights on them. The harmonic balancer on a SBC 400 (also externally balanced) had a lump on it, and is not completely round. I think the 454 might be similar looking.

I'm not 100% positive, but I do know it is an externally balanced motor.

The extra weights on the internal diameter of the dampner.
If the engines still in a vehicle ,you;ll need to look fron\m below or feel for the weight bump.

From a general look no. There are small differences as others have pointed out. Another member here built a 540 to look like a 396, heres a pic http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/ben70/engine1.jpg

I just put an LS6 in a 66ss. Looks exactly like the L78 that came out. You can't tell by the balancer unless you feel with your hand. The L78 had an 8" also.

Hi,

I have an engine that I was told was a 454. For reasons tool long to list here, I am trying to pull the balancer. Its stuck on there and no industrial tool will remove it.

That being said, I've noticed that this motor has a 7" balancer on it. I don't know what's in this short block but the motor has a lot of power. It spins up rpm like its a 427. I think its an all roller motor. It has oval port heads, an Edelbrock Victor 454-O manifold and a very radical cam. Obviously it has high compression because it pings on anything less than 100 octane.

Should I be feeling the back of the balancer for some sort of weight on there?
How do I identify this motor?
Can a 454 block have a 396 or 427 crank in it?
Amateur questions but I'm stumped.

Thanks,

Hi,

I have an engine that I was told was a 454. For reasons tool long to list here, I am trying to pull the balancer. Its stuck on there and no industrial tool will remove it.

That being said, I've noticed that this motor has a 7" balancer on it. I don't know what's in this short block but the motor has a lot of power. It spins up rpm like its a 427. I think its an all roller motor. It has oval port heads, an Edelbrock Victor 454-O manifold and a very radical cam. Obviously it has high compression because it pings on anything less than 100 octane.

Should I be feeling the back of the balancer for some sort of weight on there?
How do I identify this motor?
Can a 454 block have a 396 or 427 crank in it?
Amateur questions but I'm stumped.

Thanks,

Did you remove the balancer retaining bolt AND the washer behind the bolt. Are the threads of whatever puller you are using clean and lubricated?

Asto the cranks, yes, that would make it a 427 as the bore size is the same.
Mike

I don't know why, but frequently, BB balancers are sometimes hard as hecl to break loose from the crank snout!!!!!!! But, once you get it to let go, it will usually come off with a good balancer puller.

Well I'm already into cutting the balancer off. The washer was removed and the puller was a Matco type that was brand new and we were using a 1000 pound air impact wrench.

Anyway, what I'm concerned about is getting the right balancer as a replacement.
I don't know whether the motor was externally or internally balanced. I know it was built for race and I was told it is a 454 bored out to 468. But it has a 7" balancer on it.
I thought I'd be able to go buy any 7" balancer and put it on there but now I am worried I might throw something out of balance.