Building a big block stroker motor?
 

Been thinking of building a stroker motor out of a 454 block. Been looking on craigslist for a used automotive blocks. Is there any block in particular I should look for. I know it has to be a 4-bolt main. I see truck blocks and car blocks, tall deck blocks??? What type of block should I start with? Thanks I'll be checking back daily for any input.

Well if your wanting to use a 454 block than about the only question would be standard deck or tall deck. Tall deck were used in some trucks as well as the standard deck. Automotive would be standard deck. Personally I would stay with a standard deck height. Tall deck would require some parts made exclusively for them.

It does not have to be a 4 bolt block either.. That has more less been a myth.. 2 bolt blocks are just fine, unless you plan to boost it.. Other wise you can have the caps splayed, or just keep it a 2 bolt.. Tall decks are nice, but like said, there is parts that have to be exclusively for a tall deck..


John jr

If you don't even have the block, then why not just start with a 502 and stroke it to a 540? The cost would be about the same.

I have a nice std bore 4 bolt main block for $600 if you need one, 454...

Thanks for all the info. That clears up the tall deck short deck thing for me.

+1 You're not looking at much more coin, but quite a few more cubes.

Griff that is the route I really would like to go but whenever I call a scrap yard they ask what type of vehicle was that in? What can I tell them. That it is a 8.1 liter?

Ezstriper thanks. A little more then I wanted to start with for a bare block but I will keep you in mind

I've got a Gen IV 4-bolt tall deck block available, also 4.25 crank /pistons/oil pan-all in excellent condition. Willing to make a great deal on all of it. It is unassembled now. Located in Toms River NJ.
I actually (as Griff suggested) found a great deal on a 502, and built a 540.

Just keep ;ooking around on here. Really bad ass single engines pop up all the time for pennies on the dollar.

:coolcowboy:

You are not going to find a 502 at a scrap yard. They are actually a 8.2 and were never installed in any production vehicles.

How much horsepower are you looking to make is the real question. Forget scrap yards. Even if you found a plentiful 454 truck engine, your still gonna get cast cranks, cast rods, and cast pistons, none really ideal for a high power marine engine.

By the time you get a old used block, have it machined, fingers crossed its even useable, buy a complete decent brand stroker crank, rods, pistons, etc, you'll have almost as much in the shortblock as what you can buy one shipped to your door, assembled and ready to go, all brand new parts, and better block.

Also, if starting from scratch, the cost is pretty much the same whether you want a 454 or 598. Do you have the heads already that you want to use? That also plays a major role in block/size choice.

Or, just do like Jeff said, buy a complete engine on here. Lots of good engines for good prices.

The bottom line is HP cost money , how much do you want ? $$$$$$$$$$$

502 is an 8.2 liter, 4.470 bore and same stroke as a 454.
8.1 liter is a 496 with 4.25 bore and a long stroke crank - which is pretty much the 454 stroker you are talking about building...

Definitely better to start with a 502 block and build from there.
The 4.5" bore unshrouds the valves which is good for some free extra hp.

A 540 based on a 502 std deck block is the cheapest way to get a "big motor".

But they didn't put ANY 502's in cars. They are all marine/aftermarket/crate motors. Plenty of em out there, though, but you won't find one in a car boneyard unless it has a lot of boat motors in it.

Thanks for all the information everyone. The reason I would like to start with a bare block is mostly because of budget reasons. It is easier for me to do bits and pieces a little at a time. May take me over a year to build it but I just don't have 10k+ to plunk down on a complete motor at one time. Doing a lot of the work myself I believe I can save some cash and build a good reliable motor. I would like to get a 502 block but it just seems that the 454 blocks are much more plentiful.

The best and cheapest way is to put all that money in a sock piece by peice and forget about it while running your boat the way it is until you get it all out of your system adn sell your boat.

Then go find that money you stashed away and have a great time.

:coolcowboy:

Its hard to find a good used 502 block. With a tall deck 454 you could use a lot bigger crank than a standard deck. Many ways to go with it, 489, 496, 540....... all a matter of time and money.