454 new long block timing questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

DeerMeadowFarm · 12-30-2021, 10:23 AM

Hello - I have a 1989 squarebody K3500 cab and chassis with a 454 engine, SM465/NP205. I just bought a stock long block for it. I don't have any of the emissions on it. I added a Weiland Warrior intake designed for use with the peanut port heads. I am using a rebuilt Quadrajet carburetor (this truck was carbureted from the factory). I just got the engine to start briefly last night. I need to know what I should be setting the timing at and or anything else I need to know about getting it running smoothly. TIA!

geezer#99 · 12-30-2021, 11:40 AM

Pardon my ignorance but is that a roller cam engine or a flat tappet?
Your answer can determine what break in method to use.

DeerMeadowFarm · 12-30-2021, 01:03 PM

Flat tappet. Sorry, I should have mentioned that!

geezer#99 · 12-30-2021, 01:29 PM

You’ll need to do the normal 1500-2000 rpm cam break in procedure then. Don’t let it idle anymore until that is done. Big blocks like to eat cams!
Your choice of cam might influence what you set your timing at.
Do you need to limit your timing for warranty purposes?

**Corts60** · 12-30-2021, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geezer#99

You’ll need to do the normal 1500-2000 rpm cam break in procedure then. Don’t let it idle anymore until that is done. Big blocks like to eat cams!
Your choice of cam might influence what you set your timing at.
Do you need to limit your timing for warranty purposes?

X2. They do eat cams. Been there.

Once it fires, get those rpm’s up for 30 minutes. Don’t fiddle with the timing too much during break in. After break in, you can set timing to the specs of whoever built that long block. Anywhere from 8 to 12 degrees BTDC most likely.

DeerMeadowFarm · 01-01-2022, 09:27 AM

I have to get it set somewhere to run though right? When it fired up it sputtered and stalled out almost immediately.

DeerMeadowFarm · 01-01-2022, 09:29 AM

Just another quick question, why do I need to get the RPM's up for so long? They told me to vary my RPM's during break in. Also, just FYI, I am using a high zinc break in oil.

geezer#99 · 01-01-2022, 09:59 AM

You get rpm’s up because the cam and lifters get their oiling from oil splash. And the lifters need to rotate and mate with the lobes. The time needed is related to heat needed. Takes awhile for the oil to heat up.

**kwmech** · 01-02-2022, 01:44 AM

Final adjustment on that big block is going to be TDC with the throttle body injection. You can massage it to maybe 2 btc, any more than that then the computer may start getting weird with the programming unless you have the chip reprogrammed

**THI** · 01-02-2022, 01:38 PM

Do the best you can to get the distributor dropped in at 0* - manually roll the engine to #1 TDC and get the roter pointing at the #1 wire on the cap. Once it starts get the RPM up to 2,000 ASAP and vary the RPM between 2,000 and 2,500 for at least 20 minutes - this will get the lifters spinning and splash oil on everything! Once you are done with that initial run, change the oil and filter and again use a high zinc oil or zinc additive. I just did this on a 400 SBC and 383 SBC both with flat cams and had no issues on break-in.

After the break-in run, you can set the timing and make any carb adjustments.

12-30-2021, 11:40 AM	#2
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,731	Re: 454 new long block timing questions Pardon my ignorance but is that a roller cam engine or a flat tappet? Your answer can determine what break in method to use.

12-30-2021, 01:03 PM	#3
DeerMeadowFarm Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Warren, MA Posts: 14	Re: 454 new long block timing questions Flat tappet. Sorry, I should have mentioned that!

12-30-2021, 01:29 PM	#4
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,731	Re: 454 new long block timing questions You’ll need to do the normal 1500-2000 rpm cam break in procedure then. Don’t let it idle anymore until that is done. Big blocks like to eat cams! Your choice of cam might influence what you set your timing at. Do you need to limit your timing for warranty purposes?

01-01-2022, 09:27 AM	#6
DeerMeadowFarm Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Warren, MA Posts: 14	Re: 454 new long block timing questions I have to get it set somewhere to run though right? When it fired up it sputtered and stalled out almost immediately.

01-01-2022, 09:29 AM	#7
DeerMeadowFarm Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Warren, MA Posts: 14	Re: 454 new long block timing questions Just another quick question, why do I need to get the RPM's up for so long? They told me to vary my RPM's during break in. Also, just FYI, I am using a high zinc break in oil.

12-30-2021, 10:23 AM	#1
DeerMeadowFarm Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Warren, MA Posts: 14	454 new long block timing questions Hello - I have a 1989 squarebody K3500 cab and chassis with a 454 engine, SM465/NP205. I just bought a stock long block for it. I don't have any of the emissions on it. I added a Weiland Warrior intake designed for use with the peanut port heads. I am using a rebuilt Quadrajet carburetor (this truck was carbureted from the factory). I just got the engine to start briefly last night. I need to know what I should be setting the timing at and or anything else I need to know about getting it running smoothly. TIA!

01-01-2022, 09:59 AM	#8
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,731	Re: 454 new long block timing questions You get rpm’s up because the cam and lifters get their oiling from oil splash. And the lifters need to rotate and mate with the lobes. The time needed is related to heat needed. Takes awhile for the oil to heat up.

01-02-2022, 01:44 AM	#9
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,628	Re: 454 new long block timing questions Final adjustment on that big block is going to be TDC with the throttle body injection. You can massage it to maybe 2 btc, any more than that then the computer may start getting weird with the programming unless you have the chip reprogrammed

01-02-2022, 01:38 PM	#10
THI Active Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Traverse City, MI Posts: 194	Re: 454 new long block timing questions Do the best you can to get the distributor dropped in at 0* - manually roll the engine to #1 TDC and get the roter pointing at the #1 wire on the cap. Once it starts get the RPM up to 2,000 ASAP and vary the RPM between 2,000 and 2,500 for at least 20 minutes - this will get the lifters spinning and splash oil on everything! Once you are done with that initial run, change the oil and filter and again use a high zinc oil or zinc additive. I just did this on a 400 SBC and 383 SBC both with flat cams and had no issues on break-in. After the break-in run, you can set the timing and make any carb adjustments.



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