Big block recipe needed...

Nathan Bowen

New Member
I have a 1982 k30 4wd crew cab dually. All original power brakes, power steering and Ac. Turbo 400 automatic and 373's I will be running 33" tires. I'm looking for a good recipe for its untouched 454. I will be driving the truck from Texas to Colorado for hunting and fishing endeavors. I would like an efficient engine built with the factory heads and lower rotating assembly not including Pistons. I will be using headers and open flow exhaust. Thank you in advance for all help!
 
a bit more info will be rather helpful. what is the block and cylinder head casting numbers?
and how much time & money can you realistically drop into the project?
can you do most of the engine assembly yourself with tools you already own and in a location where you can work under clean well lighted and safe conditions?
OR will you need to pay a machine shop?

Its up to the guy who assembles or builds an engine to verify that the machine work on any components been done correctly,
theres unfortunately a good percentage of machine shops that don,t employ people that have the skills and experience,
or the tooling to do the work correctly, or in some cases and desire or capacity to accurately measure the components accurately,
before and after precision machine works been done.
I'd bet 90% plus of the people who have a machine shop do precision work on any major engine component, like that
would have naturally assumed that the precision machine work was done correctly,
and simply assembled the engine without thinking a second about that work being done correctly.
this is one reason I strongly suggest most serious engine builders may want to have some precision,measuring tools,
and spend the time and effort to check that machine shop work you paid good money for, was in fact, done correctly ,

taking the time too verify the precision machine work was done correctly,
takes a good deal of the time required, in any engine build
(vs slapping parts together out of the box and wondering why it never quite runs up to your expectations)
and yes you probably could use the block in its current condition and find the engine runs,
and most people would never know the engines measurements were not correct or why the engine did not produce power to its full potential,
and the results might be so close that it would hardly matter ,too most car/engine owners.
but that engine block machine work ,being off specs, does not mean its been built correctly either


related threads
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/precision-measuring-tools.1390/#post-68861

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ing-parts-and-a-logical-plan.7722/#post-68651

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/finding-a-machine-shop.321/#post-59253


http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/big-block-chevy-info.710/#post-60299

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/block-prep.125/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/parts-prep-cleaning.6255/#post-51146

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/how-to-find-a-decent-machine-shop.800/


http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...u-thinking-about-your-potential-combos.14607/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/bare-minimum-tools.11026/#post-51843

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/machine-shop-sequencing.4460/#post-11720

A stock and original 1982 engine will more than likely need a rather extensive rebuild , by the time you buy new pistons, rings bearings ,get the block cleaned, decked, bored, line honed,have the heads rebuilt with ne valve seats and valve guides and valve springs, buy a cam & lifters and new rockers, a timing set, gaskets etc.get the lower end rotating assembly balanced and other machine work done ,
and you replace the valve train, and cam and lifters and get a 3 angle valve job, the total cost won,t be dirt cheap.
once you calculate all the parts needed and machine work required I think you may want to think through your options
theres a very good chance that if you write down the price of every component youll need and all the machine shop costs ,
youll find much to your surprise its going to cost a good deal more than most guys might imagine to do things correctly!
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/finding-a-machine-shop.321/#post-3007

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...on-picking-a-shop-to-do-work.5053/#post-33138
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/picking-a-cam-for-street-strip-496-bbc.13384/
LOOKING FOR A DECENT AUTO MACHINE SHOP, or BODY REPAIR, or CUSTOM SHOP??

the best route to take is by joining a local car club and talking to dozens of guys at the local car shows and rod runs and at the local tracks,
GO TO THE LOCAL TRACK, AND GO TO LOCAL CAR SHOWS<ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS, TALK TO LOTS OF PEOPLE, you'll eventually find out which machine shops AND BODY SHOPS do quality work and which do sloppy or slipshod work, or take money and never do the work correctly at times.
ALWAYS stamp your parts with your PH# number or some other ID and take clear detailed pictures and get signed receipts listed parts, dates,costs and expected work to be done and dates due and take a picture of the guy your talking to and get the receipt
look around the shop! if theres dozens of cars sitting outside , rusting, or stacks of greasy engines you probably don,t want your car joining them.

Now I'm certainly not suggesting you don,t do the project,
I'm just suggesting you go in knowing the cost to expect and realize there may be valid options depending on what you want too accomplish!
I used to drive from south florida out to Colorado near EAGLE co. to hunt (2300 miles one way) in a 1989 ford crew cab dually with a 460 for almost 17 years until I sold it, so I'm rather familiar with hunting colorado/


https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp4963ctc/overview/make/chevrolet

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp4963ct/overview/make/chevrolet

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/engines-drivetrain/0910chp-496-short-block-top-end-engine-build/

http://www.racingjunk.com/Engines-Components/2793004/B.B.-CHEVY-496-STROKER-SHORT-BLOCK.html


http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...mance-454-bbc-rebuild-ideas.11195/#post-50427

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ing-parts-and-a-logical-plan.7722/#post-57946

http://jmacperformance.com/?cat=19

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...y-in-building-a-good-engine.11682/#post-54682

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/finding-a-machine-shop.321/#post-59253
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I will go out to my shop tomorrow and see what I have. I assumed I have a run of the mill le8. As far as a budget I don't have one, except that I want to be aware of the return on my investment. To that I will also say that I drive a new diesel f250 and would like to build this truck to use for the reasons many of us choose something old over something new... I Grew up in an automotive mechanic shop and we still have all the tools and equipment. Been around many circle track "claimed" engine builds, drag engine builds and countless standard rebuilds..... Built a few of them my self after being taught by my Dad. Started my family 18years ago and sold off the hot rods and classics actually paid off my first house do to the sale of all of them. Now I've slowly got back into things as my 5 kids are getting older. My 18year old has a 65 mustang 289, I have an all original 55 f100 223. But I want this Big Ugly Truck to make the trip to the mountains.... I guess I got out about the time roller cams were really coming in... I've done some research but still find a lot of old school ways of thinking as far as just throwing big bucks at it and also the fuel injection.... I was thinking along the lines of bumping up the compression if necessary through new pistons and running an efficient (torque/fuel economy) roller cam. I will be Completely machining the lower and upper end. It's just when you look things up today all you really see is bigger is better. Not really "real world" daily driving advise. Also the transmission and transfer case have been gone through and I will be doing the front and rear differentials including rear discs to save on rotating mass as well as breaking improvement as soon as I decide on the "recipe" for the engine. Thanks again
 
you can certain rebuild the current engine to produce a really dependable performance & transportation power plant,
without throwing buckets of cash into the project or swapping everything out for the newest and best available choices.
but the KEY here is knowing exactly what your starting with and its current condition, and making a logical choice on both.
what you want to spend to accomplish the upgrades and keeping a reasonable lid on the expenses,
as the cost can rapidly become financially prohibitive.
the first thing Id suggest is asking a LOCAL machine shop you trust to give you an estimate on rebuilding your current engine with 10:1 pistons and a good valve job, new rings bearings valves guides valve seats springs and a new roller cam and lifters timing set, oil pump and water pump.
(assuming your willing to pull and re-install the engine)
once you have a basic cost level, you can discuss options
(and remember up-grade options tend to add up fast)

a few related threads and as usual,
the sub links contain a wealth of info


http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/a-few-basic-precision-tools.16344/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...tion-of-crank-durring-short-blk-assembly.852/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/bearing-clearances.2726/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...d-rod-orientation-clearance-issues-etc.16027/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ng-rod-bolt-stretch-preload.11050/#post-85102

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/another-496bbc.5123/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-building-a-peanut-port-big-block-combo.2900/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/bbc-build-advice.15921/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...e-springs-and-setting-up-the-valve-train.181/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-on-the-cheap-well-to-start.11739/#post-55478

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...y-in-building-a-good-engine.11682/#post-54682

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/bearings-and-oil-flow.150/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/oil-system-mods-that-help.2187/







your very likely to find a crate engine, like this, with a decent low cost intake is a more economical option

having the engine built as a 10:1 version with a cam and matched lifters like this adds about 35 hp, more tq, more durability and about $1100 to the cost in most cases
you can ask and I.m sure they will make custom changes if your willing to throw cash their way
http://blueprintengines.com/
http://blueprintengines.com/index.php/contact-j

yeah lots of options and a local shop may be better equipped and comparably priced.. especially if your handing them your 454 as a core to start with
I,D also point out that in most cases if your going to need new pistons rings bearings and connecting rods reconditioned it makes a good deal more financial sence to buy a complete SCAT cast steel 9000 rotating assembly with the FAR stronger 6.385" long SCAT forged rods with ARP BOLTS, as the old 3/8" rod bolt big block rods used in most BBC engines connecting rods have been through MILLIONS of stress cycles, and even when NEW were less than 1/2 the strength, of the new forged 7/16" rods/rod bolts

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cro-01403/overview/make/chevrolet

http://www.ohiocrank.com/chev_bb_shortb.html

http://www.jegs.com/i/Blueprint-Engines/138/BP4963CT/10002/-1?parentProductId=855989#moreDetails

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/KeywordSearchCmd?storeId=10001&catalogId=10002&langId=-1&Ntk=all&Jnar=0&itemPerPage=60&Ne=1+2+3+13+1147708&searchTerm=oval+port+intake


http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/0806phr-chevy-496-big-block-engine-build/

http://www.dragzine.com/news/probe-industries-496ci-pistonsstroker-kits-for-big-blocks/

http://idealhowtovideo.com/bigblock80006.htm

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/project-cars/sucp-0312-496-street-bruiser/

http://www.twperformanceparts.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=5302

http://www.twperformanceparts.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=3910

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/project-cars/sucp-0901-496-chevy-big-block-build/

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/engines-drivetrain/1407-642-hp-budget-iron-head-build/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/build-a-496-stroker-bbc.101/

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/engines-drivetrain/1005chp-496ci-engine-build/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Step-by-Ste...Big-Block-Engine-2-Disc-5Hr-DVD-/370654732889

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/en...estech-performance-496-chevy-big-block-build/

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/116-0703-big-block-chevy-engine-build/
 
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