Thread: 454 2bolt hi-po question
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07-01-2014 02:19 PM #1
454 2bolt hi-po question
Hello all, I am new here.. I had a good question that is irritating the ever living hell out of me. Hopefully I can get some good insight and knowledge from you more experienced mechanics.
I am currently rebuilding my 454, Now I checked the casting number through Chevy and the block casting came back as a 1969-1973 block year 454 engine.
I sent my block to a machine shop a few days ago and I had just recently called the shop back, and they told me I actually have a 396 bored .030 over... Now that cant be, because the pistons I pulled out where 454 pistons stamped with a .010 over bore... I was told that some 396 blocks were cast with the same casting number as the 454 in that year range.. But still the piston size and bores just don't add up. Any ideas on whats going on? I personally think the machine shop is trying to pull a quick one on me and swap my block out for some block they had sitting around for ever. Now I did stamp a mark that only I know into a certain place on the block.. But still, Any ideas on the piston and block??Last edited by Imbraced; 07-01-2014 at 02:29 PM. Reason: Brain over fingers typo
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07-01-2014 03:35 PM #2
sounds like its time to take your pistons to the machine shop and look for your secret mark---------
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07-01-2014 09:30 PM #3
I smell a rat.....
.PLANET EARTH, INSANE ASYLUM FOR THE UNIVERSE.
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07-01-2014 11:33 PM #4
Good one, Tech, yessindeedee.
Go ask to see your block and after they show it to you, tell them about your mark and watch their faces. I recovered a stolen manifold and set of carbs that way once; when I mentioned the marking I had done to the manifold and carb bases, the guy just about fainted.Rrumbler, Aka: Hey you, "Old School", Hairy, and other unsavory monickers.
Twistin' and bangin' on stuff for about sixty or so years; beat up and busted, but not entirely dead - yet.
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07-02-2014 08:44 AM #5
I am going to the machine shop today. I have one of my pistons with me, and I will be doing some digging there. And yes I will be looking for mark.
Thank you Gents for responding, I'll keep you all updated.
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07-02-2014 01:05 PM #6
double post due to slow internet...Last edited by Imbraced; 07-02-2014 at 02:30 PM. Reason: double posted..
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07-02-2014 01:07 PM #7
So I checked the Casting number and the years are right, BUt what I got online through Chevy is wrong with what the Actual Book number has, SO it is a 396 bored.030 over too a 402. Its sad, I checked my mark and sure enough it was my block.
My heads on the other hand... Apparently they need to be reworked with the valve guides and seals..Because one head is loosing compression. But I never noticed an issue with power loss from that and that's more repair money I don't have. SO they will stay like that because I honestly don't think that is affecting my motor. I don't want to pull a pair from a yard as I like my Oval ports, and if I do pull a pair they will just have to be reworked anyways. Good news is they are 454 heads. Sooo time to save up some more money for an unexpected repair..
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07-02-2014 04:54 PM #8
If you have to rebuild your heads, consider buying a set of new aftermarket heads instead; you might find you will be money ahead that way, believe it or not.Rrumbler, Aka: Hey you, "Old School", Hairy, and other unsavory monickers.
Twistin' and bangin' on stuff for about sixty or so years; beat up and busted, but not entirely dead - yet.
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07-03-2014 08:44 AM #9
why not check out having your heads rebuilt??
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07-03-2014 05:09 PM #10
nothing great about 454 heads on a396/ 402 you will need i big dome on the 396/402 to get any CR. what many did was put the small chamber 396 heads on a 454 with a flat top pistons worked out very wellIrish Diplomacy ..the ability to tell someone to go to Hell ,,So that they will look forward to to the trip
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07-03-2014 10:12 PM #11
I have slight done pistons, and I would love to get new heads, or get my heads redone, but that costs money annnd I spent the last of mine ordering rings, and Bearings.
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07-04-2014 04:53 AM #12
If the money's not there then the heads wait, but know in the back of your mind that they're costing you power and efficiency by leaking compression and start saving a few $$ as you can for new ones, and watch your CraigsList religiously. You never know when someone might turn some loose whey they need a few bucks quick.
Is your avatar picture recent? Cute kiddo!Last edited by rspears; 07-04-2014 at 05:06 AM.
Roger
Enjoy the little things in life, and you may look back one day and realize that they were really the BIG things.
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07-04-2014 06:44 AM #13
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07-04-2014 09:40 AM #14
What EXACTLY do you mean by losing compression??????head gasket leaking? valve leaking? cracks??
If your on a low $ budjet rebuild, have vales/seats refaced,maybe resurface deck surface---put it together and drive it---
Maybe post the casting numbers here and some pics of the piston or complete info as to numbers/manufacturer---seems like there's quite a difference in what you have compared to what you think you have----IE---you won't get a 454 piston into a 396 bore--------
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07-04-2014 12:16 PM #15
Why not just sit back and wait on the heads??? Budget builds do not have to be done in a hurry, nor do high dollar builds! It usually works out far better to take your time, save up a few more $$$$$$, and do things correctly the first time!Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, Live for Today!
Carroll Shelby
Learning must be difficult for those who already know it all!!!!
Welcome to CHR. I think that you need to hook up your vacuum advance. At part throttle when cruising you have less air and fuel in each cylinder, and the air-fuel mixture is not as densely packed...
MSD 8360 distributor vacuum advance