i have wanted to build a 396 -402 with a454 crank in it i have built a lot of big stroke stuff up to630 + but i think this 396 with 454 crank would be a great combo i allways like my 396 s i had .on timing on the crank i like 10 and 26 in the dist. and check to see if top dead cent is rigth with timming tab at O .like teck said i polish the pistons the the head chambers the block valley and the crank counter weights and the crank case and took a lot of crap for this but never lost a piston or head gasket