454 . What's it worth ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

409biscayne · 10-26-2006, 04:38 PM

Quick question , What's an excellent running completely stock 1975 454 worth ? It's complete from air cleaner to flywheel , no alternator . This is a complete drop in , ready to go . Previous owner took it out of a 75 c30 cuz it used too much gas , replaced it with a 350 ( which used more gas ) , i drove the truck before he pulled it , ran great . Need a value .
Thanks ................................... 409.

Is this the right place to ask value ??

novajess1972 · 10-26-2006, 04:53 PM

Since the compression ratios started going down after 1970, the 454s kinda lost their shine, but they are still good building blocks to throw a set of better flowing heads on and make stompers!!! Still I'm no expert, but I would give between $800-1200 for it complete.

Jesse72 · 10-26-2006, 05:02 PM

i boutght a whole 86c30 w/454 that ran great out of a local paper for 1100 out of a local paper if that gives you an idea. o and it had 88k on it

Longhorn Man · 10-26-2006, 05:11 PM

disasembled short blocks with unknown wear and undesirable heads (talkin smaller than 454 here too) and already bored .040 over sell fast at $500... sit on it a while, you could get a grand for it.

*Billla* · 10-26-2006, 05:15 PM

$1. Sold :-)

Seriously, I'd agree with the 800 - 1000 range; that's what I see locally.

prostreet1967 · 10-26-2006, 07:32 PM

i got lucky on my last two 454's complete carb to pan with tubo 400's $900 each but i got lucky don't take less than $800

**kwmech** · 10-26-2006, 11:07 PM

Same price values here in Nor. Cal.

cheyenne10 · 10-26-2006, 11:13 PM

I have seen several recently for $400-$750 a couple with T400s in running trucks. I bought my complete torn down one last year for $550. The good part of it was that is was under 40K motor pulled by GM dealer on warranty complaint. Only small amount of honing, rebuilt heads, polished crank, etc. on build up. Should have it on road before end of year. I smell rubber!!

beater69 · 10-27-2006, 12:05 AM

ya, just checked craigslist in eugene,or and a couple of basket case are going for 500-600. as complete as yours is.....sit on it and you should get a 900

bigbluthng · 10-27-2006, 01:03 AM

they're not worth anything because of the high gas prices i'll do you a favor and pick it up and dispose of it for you. no charge....

*bskylerj* · 10-27-2006, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbluthng

they're not worth anything because of the high gas prices i'll do you a favor and pick it up and dispose of it for you. no charge....

I better help you as I am closer and gas is so expensive. Doug I will even by you lunch at McDonalds to help me load it. lol.....

Werewolf · 10-29-2006, 07:59 PM

I'm going to pull a little thread hijacking and ask a question of my own.

I've got a 454 out of a '73 half ton which runs great, but because of the low compression, the HP figures are lousy. I'd rather not have to do a whole engine rebuild, as I really don't think this engine needs it. I've never seen a puff of smoke from it, even after sitting for months. I'll find out when I get the heads off...

Anyway, I'm planning on an aftermarket intake, heads, and cam, but I'd like to leave the stock bottom end alone. Where's the compression killer? Is it the heads, the pistons, or both?

Thanks!

Rick Mills · 10-31-2006, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Werewolf

I'm going to pull a little thread hijacking and ask a question of my own.

I've got a 454 out of a '73 half ton which runs great, but because of the low compression, the HP figures are lousy. I'd rather not have to do a whole engine rebuild, as I really don't think this engine needs it. I've never seen a puff of smoke from it, even after sitting for months. I'll find out when I get the heads off...

Anyway, I'm planning on an aftermarket intake, heads, and cam, but I'd like to leave the stock bottom end alone. Where's the compression killer? Is it the heads, the pistons, or both?

Thanks!

I'm not a pro, but I prefer big blocks.
Copression is mostly in the choice of pistons. You can bump the compression a little if you mill the heads. Higher compression usually means higher octane. I've heard of a few cases of low compression open chamber pistons being able to run with high compression "closed chamber" heads. It really depends on the deck height of the block and thickness of head gaskets.
Here's what I'm running on the upper side of my daily driver... it's pretty respectable.
Open chamber oval port heads (milled .20 with 9.5:1 open chamber pistons), voodo cam (1800-6500 rpm), Holley intake and Holley 800 DP (jetted for my altitude). Get's 14 mpg and will burn the tires in all three gears (TH400 w/2,500 stahl). Because of the altitude I'm at and with a little retard of timing, I can get away with regular fuel.

*trkklr77* · 10-31-2006, 10:45 PM

off topic
i would build the bottom before any thing else. most bbc failures are ****ty stock pistons exploding and rods bending. its alot easier to put haeds on later than pull the whole motor after you lose a cylinder or 2 and have to replace you beatup heads as well.

and older set of closed chamber heads and upper kit will give you ahuge power gain but you need to watch your rpms.

on topic
unless i built the motor myself it is only worth junkyard prices to me. i paid $200 out the door at pnp for mine. most private [no set prices] will want $600+ with no garruntee that its not a pos. i got lucky, mine makes 75psi and idle like a champ, it very well could have been a bearing hungry grenade.

10-26-2006, 04:38 PM	#1
409biscayne Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spokane , Wash. Posts: 790	454 . What's it worth ? Quick question , What's an excellent running completely stock 1975 454 worth ? It's complete from air cleaner to flywheel , no alternator . This is a complete drop in , ready to go . Previous owner took it out of a 75 c30 cuz it used too much gas , replaced it with a 350 ( which used more gas ) , i drove the truck before he pulled it , ran great . Need a value . Thanks ................................... 409. Is this the right place to ask value ?? __________________ Can-Am Motorsports 37 Chev Coupe 331 4 speed 5.13 posi . ex-gasser . 64 Biscayne 409 2x4 4 speed 4.11 posi 65 Nova Wagon Drag Car 383 t400 (Dragin-Wagon) 68 c10 cst 396 t400 a/c buckets lwb 4.11 posi (SOLD)

10-26-2006, 04:53 PM	#2
novajess1972 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 190	Re: 454 . What's it worth ? Since the compression ratios started going down after 1970, the 454s kinda lost their shine, but they are still good building blocks to throw a set of better flowing heads on and make stompers!!! Still I'm no expert, but I would give between $800-1200 for it complete. __________________ 1985 SWB Silverado 1/2 Ton 1972 Chevy SWB 1/2 Ton (sold) 1972 Chevy Chevelle SS (sold) 1971 Chevy Nova (sold) 1967 Chevy El Camino (sold) 2001 Mustang Bullitt (sold) 2019 Toyota Tundra Crewmax (daily)

10-26-2006, 05:02 PM	#3
Jesse72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 171	Re: 454 . What's it worth ? i boutght a whole 86c30 w/454 that ran great out of a local paper for 1100 out of a local paper if that gives you an idea. o and it had 88k on it __________________ Jesse 72 4x4 Sold 59 GMC air ride ls swap

10-26-2006, 05:11 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: 454 . What's it worth ? disasembled short blocks with unknown wear and undesirable heads (talkin smaller than 454 here too) and already bored .040 over sell fast at $500... sit on it a while, you could get a grand for it.

10-26-2006, 05:15 PM	#5
Billla Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 3,815	Re: 454 . What's it worth ? $1. Sold :-) Seriously, I'd agree with the 800 - 1000 range; that's what I see locally.

10-26-2006, 07:32 PM	#6
prostreet1967 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: fort worth texas Posts: 395	Re: 454 . What's it worth ? i got lucky on my last two 454's complete carb to pan with tubo 400's $900 each but i got lucky don't take less than $800

10-26-2006, 11:07 PM	#7
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,500	Re: 454 . What's it worth ? Same price values here in Nor. Cal.

10-26-2006, 11:13 PM	#8
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	Re: 454 . What's it worth ? I have seen several recently for $400-$750 a couple with T400s in running trucks. I bought my complete torn down one last year for $550. The good part of it was that is was under 40K motor pulled by GM dealer on warranty complaint. Only small amount of honing, rebuilt heads, polished crank, etc. on build up. Should have it on road before end of year. I smell rubber!! __________________ Bob

10-27-2006, 12:05 AM	#9
beater69 Sinister Exaggerator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 111	Re: 454 . What's it worth ? ya, just checked craigslist in eugene,or and a couple of basket case are going for 500-600. as complete as yours is.....sit on it and you should get a 900 __________________ 69 c10 Chevy Long Fleet 350/350 under construction Poor man's disc brake upgrade with HydroBoost from '82 diesel Blazer tank with "John Fabris" stake pocket filler (Genius!)

10-27-2006, 01:03 AM	#10
bigbluthng Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: canyon country, ca, USA Posts: 336	Re: 454 . What's it worth ? they're not worth anything because of the high gas prices i'll do you a favor and pick it up and dispose of it for you. no charge.... __________________

10-29-2006, 07:59 PM	#12
Werewolf Woof? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 276	Re: 454 . What's it worth ? I'm going to pull a little thread hijacking and ask a question of my own. I've got a 454 out of a '73 half ton which runs great, but because of the low compression, the HP figures are lousy. I'd rather not have to do a whole engine rebuild, as I really don't think this engine needs it. I've never seen a puff of smoke from it, even after sitting for months. I'll find out when I get the heads off... Anyway, I'm planning on an aftermarket intake, heads, and cam, but I'd like to leave the stock bottom end alone. Where's the compression killer? Is it the heads, the pistons, or both? Thanks! __________________ 1968 LWB CST BB 2004 Avalanche Z71 LT3. 2003 S-10 ZR2 (hers). 1997 Astro 1992 Caprice wagon, 500k stock miles. Nursing wounds after a bad wreck. 1997 Saturn - need gas mileage from something!

10-31-2006, 10:45 PM	#14
trkklr77 Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: vacaville ca, because it as far from indy as i can be Posts: 777	Re: 454 . What's it worth ? off topic i would build the bottom before any thing else. most bbc failures are ****ty stock pistons exploding and rods bending. its alot easier to put haeds on later than pull the whole motor after you lose a cylinder or 2 and have to replace you beatup heads as well. and older set of closed chamber heads and upper kit will give you ahuge power gain but you need to watch your rpms. on topic unless i built the motor myself it is only worth junkyard prices to me. i paid $200 out the door at pnp for mine. most private [no set prices] will want $600+ with no garruntee that its not a pos. i got lucky, mine makes 75psi and idle like a champ, it very well could have been a bearing hungry grenade.



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