Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - Found a Gen V 454 - good deal?

I've posted that I am looking for a BBC on a few sites and I got a call this morning from a guy with a Gen V BBC 454 from a '91 or '92 454SS 1500. The engine is disassembled and complete, and has not had any work done to the block. He gave me a price of $850 for everything. This is a 4 bolt setup. Does this sound like a decent deal?

I've posted that I am looking for a BBC on a few sites and I got a call this morning from a guy with a Gen V BBC 454 from a '91 or '92 454SS 1500. The engine is disassembled and complete, and has not had any work done to the block. He gave me a price of $850 for everything. This is a 4 bolt setup. Does this sound like a decent deal?


what is your plans with this motor?

what rpm do you want
what HP do you want
and what tq do you want
what ET do you want and how much will the vehicle weigh?

I'd wonder about an engine thats disassembled without any work done to it. Was a piston hitting a valve or something. I'd have it checked out by a machine shop to see if its in good condition or not. Also I don't think I'd give $850 for it either. I've seen 454's going for around $600.

what is your plans with this motor?

what rpm do you want
what HP do you want
and what tq do you want
what ET do you want and how much will the vehicle weigh?

I'm doing a BBC swap into my '94 for basically a track car.
Not sure on rpm range as of yet
My goal is to be > 500 hp
> 500 ft lbs
Same as everyone else I guess, as quick as possible (mid 10s - 11s)
I'm hoping to cut the weight down to at or under 3k lbs.

I'd wonder about an engine thats disassembled without any work done to it. Was a piston hitting a valve or something. I'd have it checked out by a machine shop to see if its in good condition or not. Also I don't think I'd give $850 for it either. I've seen 454's going for around $600.

Apparently this guy was going to freshen up the engine to install it into some sort of Rod. I think I'm going to keep looking.

I appreciate all the feedback and suggestions guys.

You should easily get well over 500 hp out of a 454 BBC. Mine was dyno'd at 650 hp. Of course it's built too. Check the sig.

I've posted that I am looking for a BBC on a few sites and I got a call this morning from a guy with a Gen V BBC 454 from a '91 or '92 454SS 1500. The engine is disassembled and complete, and has not had any work done to the block. He gave me a price of $850 for everything. This is a 4 bolt setup. Does this sound like a decent deal?
The Gen V has different cooling holes in the deck surface and is really only made to accept Gen V heads. They make inserts and specific head gaskets to use Gen 4 heads on the block but that isnt foolproof as Ive seen more than one still leak coolant into the lifter chamber, Gen Vs were one piece rear main seals also but were still flat tappet motors. It would also require a Gen V or Gen 6 oil pan. IMO, Gen Vs are more aggravation than theyre worth. You might as well look for a Gen 6 and gain the better deck that can use older heads and the roller lifters as well if youre gonna put up with the pan differences, etc anyway. Also, all Gen 5 and 6 blocks are 4 bolt. If your goals are only around 500 HP, I wouldnt even worry about a 4 bolt block. 500 HP is a piece of cake with a 454 and weve built LOTS of them with way more power than that on 2 bolt blocks and never had a problem. HTHs.... Bill :drive:

Bill, thanks for the info.

A '91-'92 454SS truck has peanut port heads, so you're basically looking at a shortblock here. I guess if it comes with all the brackets, pulleys and everything might be worth $600.

IIRC, Gen V engines do not have provisions for a mechanical fuel pump....

IIRC, Gen V engines do not have provisions for a mechanical fuel pump....
Your correct as far as production line motors go but there are some Gen V motors out there with fuel pump bosses. They only came on crate 454 HO motors and a very few replacement blocks had them for a short while. I wouldnt hold my breath looking for one, but they do exist. Bill :drive: