Took other engine apart... wow what a hack... pics coming

Did the valve covers say "Bob's Engines"? Cause you should know to stay away from "Bob's Engines"...

My favorite term is "Kevin's Radiator Shop."

I prefer "Dorm Room Racing" or "Mushroom Cloud Motors - we build em you nuke em"

I looking at buying or building a 454 this winter around 500-525 hp. Man you guys have me scared. All this doom and gloom and blown up chit has me feeling like I need to spend 20,000 bucks to make a little motor that wont go boom. God forbid I buy a motor and it turns out to have tinfoil rings and ace hardware rod bolts.

What does it take to make basic horsepower spinning 5200 rpm and have it live longer than an afternoon??

The short answer is attention to detail.

A 500 horse 454 isn't hard to make, but EVERY clearance, torque, and surface needs to be checked and rechecked and a competent machine shop needs to be involved. Add to that quality parts spec'ed to live in a marine environment and you will be good to go.

Matt,

To add to that...a good tuner and rigger.

I'm willing to bet over 80-90% of engine builds or rebuilds that go down the schitter are due to piss poor tuning and/or rigging.

Add to that the first startup before setting timing and no break in oil, etc.
There are many recipes for a disaster.

See ya
Kelly

So what all constitutes a good rigging job? Is there a thread on this somewhere? I need to learn.

Checking it all yourself or with a trusted friend, I am seriously looking at ohio cranks assembled shortblocks right now for 4400 each it will cost me more then that to make these right in my opinion and I can parts what's left to get a few bucks back... I would maybe opt to get them I assembled to do myself and make sure it's right, I heard some good things about the shortblocks they sell... So I am not sure what I am gonna do yet. I need to add up what I think I am gonna need to do mine and them add 2000.00 for the what ifs