I have a question, hoping to get some help.

[Jonathonmb357]

There's a craigslist ad with bad spelling and little info, but it's for a 454 big block that looks mostly complete, listed for $800.
Is it worth the money?

Chevy bug blocks 454 - auto parts - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

Motor and trans

dallas.craigslist.org

 

[shiftpro]

Not enough information. It would be nice to know what the heads are.
What year? One piece rear main or two piece?

 

[AyWoSch Motors]

Well if there is nothing wrong with it, thats not a bad pricefor engine and trans, but there's not nearly enough info.
Wouldnt trust it.

Is that a 700r4 with a trans brake??

 

[Turbo4whl]

With that long oil fill, I would guess the engine came out of a van or motorhome. With the CS-130 alternator, serpentine belt and black paint dates it newer. I would think it has peanut port heads.

 

[Jonathonmb357]

Not enough information. It would be nice to know what the heads are.
What year? One piece rear main or two piece?

I suppose that would be good to find out! I have nothing besides those pictures and a telephone number. lol

 

[Jonathonmb357]

With that long oil fill, I would guess the engine came out of a van or motorhome. With the CS-130 alternator, serpentine belt and black paint dates it newer. I would think it has peanut port heads.

Thank you! You definitely know a lot more than me. I'm guessing it would need a lot to put it in a car application theoretically?

 

[Jonathonmb357]

Well if there is nothing wrong with it, thats not a bad pricefor engine and trans, but there's not nearly enough info.
Wouldnt trust it.

Is that a 700r4 with a trans brake??

I have absolutely no idea. lol I'm just now getting into project cars, and I'm looking for a motor to tear apart to learn some stuff

 

[75gmck25]

I don’t know enough about 454’s to comment on it.

However, if you are just starting out and learning, in general the SBC parts are much cheaper and easier to find. The most common engine size is the 350, but there were factory SBC’s from 265 cu-in up to 400 cu- in.

The latest Gen 1 SBC’s were the Vortec head L31 350 engines in trucks from about 1996-2000. If you are lucky enough to find one with good heads (they are prone to cracking) it would make a great start for a future build and you could learn by tearing it apart. The iron Vortec heads have 64cc chambers (raises compression ratio) and excellent flow compared to older heads. You can easily build an L31 into a daily driver engine that makes 325-350 HP, depending on which cam you choose.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Well if there is nothing wrong with it, thats not a bad pricefor engine and trans, but there's not nearly enough info.
Wouldnt trust it.

Is that a 700r4 with a trans brake??

You must be registered for see images attach

Th475 with the ability to bolt the cast cover on the bellhousing which has a torque rod which would be wise in a high torque, heavy application. 3 speed auto.

The brake at the back is a parking brake drum assembly
straight cut gears, some changes iirc, etc

 

[Jonathonmb357]

Thank you for all the cool tips! I didn't know that about Vortecs.
The Chevy 350 has been on my want list for a long time actually, though I'm just now getting into the position where I have some available resources and space.
I guess I'm going to have to study a lot beforehand when I go searching for a good motor.

 

[nvrenuf]

The motor pictured has a 2 pc rear main seal (the flange on the crank is not round) so it's a MARK IV version which was produced until 91-92ish. The combo v-belt / multi groove pulley on the water pump would be from around '88+ so you can bank on it having peanut port heads which are fine for a bone stock motor but do not breath above 4k rpm so they are not good for performance applications. The long filler neck plus the drum brake on the trans would indicate this is probably from a motorhome. My guess is that it's a #14015445 block which has about a 50/50 chance of being 4 bolt main (these were produced both 2 and 4 bolt, the casting was common in later model truck, Sub and HD applications) but it'll have regular bottom end parts.

As stated, the trans is a TH475 which is basically a TH400 with some heavier internals. IT's not the Holy Grail but a nice part. I used one in my old K10, remove the brake and tail cone and the tailshaft is the correct length for a pre '85 / figure 8 adapter NP205 set up.

Is it worth it, probably. The motor is mostly complete so you'll get lots of hardware, covers, oil pan, balancer and hopefully the front end brackets, all of which adds a little value. I would buy it with the mindset it's a builder, not something to try and run as is since there's no history. The trans is a nice part to use or worth about $100+ to sell as a core.

All that said, it's Craigslist so it may be total junk. I'd try to get it down some to $650-$750 ($500-$600 would be awesome).

 

[Jonathonmb357]

The motor pictured has a 2 pc rear main seal (the flange on the crank is not round) so it's a MARK IV version which was produced until 91-92ish. The combo v-belt / multi groove pulley on the water pump would be from around '88+ so you can bank on it having peanut port heads which are fine for a bone stock motor but do not breath above 4k rpm so they are not good for performance applications. The long filler neck plus the drum brake on the trans would indicate this is probably from a motorhome. My guess is that it's a #14015445 block which has about a 50/50 chance of being 4 bolt main (these were produced both 2 and 4 bolt, the casting was common in later model truck, Sub and HD applications) but it'll have regular bottom end parts.

As stated, the trans is a TH475 which is basically a TH400 with some heavier internals. IT's not the Holy Grail but a nice part. I used one in my old K10, remove the brake and tail cone and the tailshaft is the correct length for a pre '85 / figure 8 adapter NP205 set up.

Is it worth it, probably. The motor is mostly complete so you'll get lots of hardware, covers, oil pan, balancer and hopefully the front end brackets, all of which adds a little value. I would buy it with the mindset it's a builder, not something to try and run as is since there's no history. The trans is a nice part to use or worth about $100+ to sell as a core.

All that said, it's Craigslist so it may be total junk. I'd try to get it down some to $650-$750 ($500-$600 would be awesome).

This is exactly what I needed! Thank you so much. Your knowledge is awesome, I'm wowed.
Even if the motor is stuck, might it still worth the money?

 

[Grit dog]

^ Not a chance if the engine is froze up.
Someone likely pulled the drivetrain though because it was in working order, but anyone who makes an add like that can be trusted about as far as you could toss that 454 with your bare hands.
TH475 with straight cut first gear is a nice addition in a high performance scenario. Not worth much extra as a core though, which is what a "can't hear or feel it run and drive" engine and transmission essentially is.
If you buy them, consider the source and show up with 3 or 4 benjamins and see what the seller will take.

(I get a little irked with people trying to sell "junk" at non-junk prices....)

 

[Bextreme04]

They are basically both cores. I would pay core price, which is maybe $100-200 for the trans and maybe $400 for the engine. He could maybe get more for them than that if they were in a vehicle that could be driven to verify condition. Since they aren't, they are a core.

 

[nvrenuf]

I agree with @Grit dog , it's potentially a good find but not a "worth it at any cost" type thing. The carb is uncovered and it appears the distributor is out and laying on the intake, make sure it's not full of water.

Maybe see if you can pull the valve covers for a look inside and definitely see if it'll turn over (take some bolts and a pry bar and try to do it from the butt of the crank, pull the spark plugs and watch for water to come out). It'd be really good if you could get it up to pull the drain plug and check for water in the pan.