My by buddy has a boat that he got in an estate settlement. I ran the block numbers and it comes up as a 454 4 Bolt IV bow tie tall deck block. I am a big block newbie and am trying to figure out what the advantages and disadvantages to this engine are? Thanks

plus side..its most likely over 500 inch's

Thanks Foxx. Anyone else have any thoughts or advice?

pull valve covers and get head casting numbers. but with no available history on engine, builder and owner both out of picture, a teardown is probably in order. it could be really special, but on it's last legs. or it coulda been built by a backyard a$$hole like me. take it out and run it hard and you may have 700 lbs of scrap metal on your hands.

I tried to get him to do that but the risers are in the way and he is not feeling that kind of commitment. He listed the boat with a broker and I am trying to get him some factual information to put in the listing to make it more attractive. I suggested that we try and figure out the stroke through a spark plug hole but he was not sure it would work.

post some pics of the boat and engine... and i'll tell you what size the engine is

http://m.yachtworld.com/mobile/listi...oat_id=2700831

That is all I have for pictures. The casting numbers for both blocks are 14044807. I undertlsrand these blocks were able to accept a much larger bore piston due to the design of the cylinder walls and water passages. But there is no easy way to tell what they did inside the motor.

Scitty pictures..but the engine one's are clear. I see Dominator carbs so very good chance are they are 496cid or bigger.

Good exhaust too - Stainless Marine's.

Good luck with the sale.

Speaking of survey's recently, Maybe a survey would be worth $$$ so you know actual condition of boat and thus good price to sell it at. A good survey will prob bring in better money than selling a total unknown.

Yea - stainless marine exhaust and 1050 dominators. A survey is as good as the surveyor's reputation and what the person interested in the boat thinks of them. I think you're better off letting the potential buyer pick the surveyor they are comfortable with.

from that casting number it looks like it could be either a 4.250 bore or a 4.450 bore..ans also with it being a 10.200 tall deck it could have a 4.500 crank in it..they could be 565's but who knows with out taking them apart,,see if a magnet sticks to the cylnder heads..takes alot of work for gm square port to flow numbers for a 565..