[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by Fitz

Here's a link to a 427 build that took some time and started with a tall deck 427 block. Lots of time and lots of work to get it ALMOST done. It's worth following that link as it will give you some idea of what you need to know and what it will take to accomplish the transformation from a truck lump to a great performing engine. I would not try this build because here, in my home town, there is no engine machine shop that I would trust to do the work I would need to have done correctly and the nearest one that I would trust is 150 miles away. Then I've got to hunt for the parts...here's a list and their cost:

Heads (Ebay) 481.56
Block (Craigs List) 350
Machine Work (local) 592.78
Rotating Assembly (gofaststuff.com) 1800
Comp Cam XR276 HR (Ebay) 250
CompCams Hydraulic Lifters (Ebay) 300
Intake Manifold (Dart tall,single-plane) 410
Gaskets/Oil Pump setup (Summit) 150
Oil Pan 250
Balancer, cam button and plate 120.75
Summit (busted tool) 106.9
Summit (guideplates, keepers, retainers) 148.73
Valve springs (roller springs per CompCam Spec) 93.9
10-degree retainers and keepers 122
Intake pushrods (chromoly, Ebay) 21.94
roller rockers (Ebay) 142.9
exhaust pushrods (chromoly, Summit) 40.74
chrome valve/timing covers (summit) 35

Total 5,417.20 and it still is not in his corvette!


Total for a short deck crate 454 that would be a brand new drop in from summit:
Engine Assembly, Crate Engine, Chevy, 454 HO, 425 hp, Cast Iron Rectangle Port Heads, Each $5894.77

What's your time worth? You can spend weeks chasing parts, months uncovering problems and working out how to fix them or find another $477.57 (less than 10%) and get an engine that will start, has a warranty and back to driving that truck. Choices....give up 100 HP and 150 ft lbs of torque on a monster 427 build or get a 454 crate....Now that's a tough choice. I would be tempted to try that build if I didn't have to face the reality of doing some of the work twice or worse, chasing down a new block because the idiot at the machine shop ruined the one I sent him.

I'd like to try one of these my self.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETE-454...7c60fa&vxp=mtr

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETE-454...7c60fb&vxp=mtr