454 longblock I just picked up looking for advice.

[turbobuick]

I just picked up a 454 for my 73 camaro. It has 049 heads. Cast crank and rods. .030 over hypereutectic flat top pistons. Looks like compression ratio will be 8:1. It was rebuilt 25 years ago and never installed. It sat wrapped in 3 garbage bags in a climate controlled garage. Pulled bags off looks like new, besides the assembly lube partially dried up around heads.
Here’s my plan:
Install aggressive cam, replace hydraulic lifters and pushrods. Spray cylinders with mystery oil and spin bY hand, then run it.
Just curious what you guys would do and if you think 8:1 454 will be fun setup. It will have a T-56 behind it.

 

[Chevyforever]

Nice acquisition, you've got a good decent Rat to work with. Short duration @ .050 cam, decent intake depending on what hood you have, headers and you will have lots of power for everyday cruiser on pump gas. Big block torque is hard to beat. I would use steel shim head gaskets if heads and block are thought to be "straight."

 

[turbobuick]

cool thanks!
Cowl hood so no issues with clearance.
Paid $500 for the whole thing.

 

[Chevyforever]

Wow great value ! Performer RPM is a real decent intake IMO.

 

[turbobuick]

Performer rpm is what I was thinking. I have an Edelbrock 750 carb I am planning to use.
Do you guys think this valve relief looks to be 1.6 cc? There is a HT-16 stamped on piston and I’m assuming that’s what the 16 means 1.6 for calculating compression ratio.

 

[Chevyforever]

The late great John Lingenfelter achieved some tremendous numbers from an engine similar to yours using an old Comp Cams Magnum "288" solid roller and a modified Holley Strip Dominator intake. (that build was about 30 yrs ago LMAO). Plan on valve springs, retainers etc if you go to a roller cam. The hyd. springs likely are not adequate.
Are there any other makings on pistons ? If we can determine mfr you will know exactly what you are working with. Also use care when picking lift of cam as valve to piston clearance with a stock type repl. piston is also a concern.

 

[turbobuick]

Speed pro .030 “HT-16” is stamped on top. Some markings on bottom, I have to get under there and check them out.

 

[Chevyforever]

Also interested in block casting #, the single valve relief flat top is not the most common replacement piston.

 

[turbobuick]

Also interested in block casting #, the single valve relief flat top is not the most common replacement piston.

It’s 3999289 block casting number 2 bolt mains

 

[Chevyforever]

You can see in the picture that it does not have the valve notch relief at the top of the cylinders like some of the Hi-perf blocks had.