How to Build a Chevrolet 454 Big Block Part 10: Cylinder Head Installation

[@kalubcraig3799]

I’ve watched this big block series from the beginning. I love your enthusiasm and excitement I can hear it in your voice, Its contagious! I’m essentially building the same engine setup currently. You really give the guys like me that have the tools and the know how to do this, that extra boost of comfort! Can’t wait for the more videos to come. This is a very thorough series that is going to be used for decades by thousands of guys!

[@2carpros]

Glad you enjoy it! More coming very soon!

[@jamesreitmeier1974]

I am following along building a Mark IV 454 along with you. I would have made some mistakes without this guidance. Thanks!

[@2carpros]

Very cool! Thanks so much for watching James!

[@tonybustos2396]

Very informative,got some work to do on my 88chevy 454 block pretty due to lw compression in my case😜

[@kentrelljonesgetitdoneauto3467]

Thanks for this video I'm definitely going to follow your advice when I start my rebuild project

[@2carpros]

Awesome! You got this!

[@tonybustos2396]

I'm learning. Thank yu. Very informative😉

[@2carpros]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@joearvelo7260]

WOW , PRETTY AMAZING CHECKING VALVE SEAL

[@2carpros]

Always good to check! Thanks for watching!

[@rktraveler6686]

God bless you take care everything

[@salvadorgutierrezr5914]

Thanks for the video and have a nice Sunday 🌞👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@2carpros]

Thanks Salvador! I did have a great Sunday! I hope you did too!

[@rktraveler6686]

Very helpful information thank you very much

[@2carpros]

So nice of you!

[@mrblanche]

Just a little comment that I discovered (and this isn't any inside secret or anything, you can find it mentioned in lots of places) is that the short ARP bolts on the outside edge have heads that are a little taller than the stock bolts, such that they can interfere with the installation of some headers, most notably Sandersons (but probably others, too). The solution is to re-use the stock bolts, use the ARP's without washers, grind down the heads of the bolts, or grind clearance into the header flanges. If you don't do one of those, you will be very puzzled why the headers won't bolt up to the heads.

[@2carpros]

I would never grind down head bolts. Many aftermarket headers have cut outs for taller head bolts. My Doug Thorley's did. Thanks for watching!

[@JoseLopez-hd6po]

Great vídeos. Really helpful keep it up.

[@2carpros]

Thanks for watching Jose!

[@goodtalker]

Love the waiting room guitar tunes!!!! LOL LOL LOL

[@2carpros]

Glad you like them!

[@fadhalalnaimi2538]

I clicked on the link for the heads you are using it says it’s for a hydraulic roller cam but you have flat tappet cam installed. Can you please explain I’m confused

[@fredjaques5465]

Thank you for what you are doing I am soon going to be doing a full build and really looking forward to it and I'm very happy that I have such detailed videos to help me along the way I do have a question tho please are you putting Ali heads on a cast block I have heard off problems with that as they heat up and expand differently so can cause issues many thanks hope to hear from you soon

[@2carpros]

Thanks so much for watching. Having aluminum heads on a cast block will pose no problems. GM and pretty much everyone else has been doing it for decades. Only on super high performance applications will you get an aluminum block. Cast with aluminum is a great choice for us regular people.

[@designsinorbit]

Quick question...I am waiting on a timing cover seal. Is there any reason I can't skip the timing cover and water pump so I can keep moving forward with cylinder head installation?

[@2carpros]

No not at all. Go for it! Thanks for watching!

[@josephutuadoPR]

Great video!

[@2carpros]

Always amazing Joseph! Thanks for watching!

[@lynwoodspire8503]

Can you also use thread sealer on the head bolt threads instead of silicone? Asking as I have a similar build with Brodix heads and I used ARP thread sealer, though I have not fired the engine yet.

[@2carpros]

Absolutely. Thanks for watching and good luck with your build!

[@mba753]

The head gasket that you installed is blocking the lower coolant holes between the block and the head. There are no openings on the gasket.

[@2carpros]

So if you look really closely there are little holes in the gasket that regulate flow but they are there. Thank you so much for watching and caring enough to comment! :)

[@mba753]

2CarPros I can’t see the holes in your gasket. I noticed that because I’m rebuilding a BBC 454 and found the same in my engine. The head gasket was covering the coolant holes and the correct head gasket should be 8523PT. Thank you for your videos they were very helpful during my rebuild.

[@2carpros]

@@mba753 Tough to see on camera but I assure you they are there. I should have pointed that out in the video, I just didn't think of it. Best of luck with your build and let me know how it goes! Thanks for watching!

[@seanclrk0]

no youre right, those lower coolant holes are blocked off, he installed the wrong gasket for sure. only the top holes has a small cut out.

[@outsidethelines2162]

Sean Clark you blind son, there are definitely holes on the bottom as well

[@douglasmurphy323]

Just about put me to sleep twerking every single one of those headphones. Two thumbs up you did a good job

[@josephmcgovern404]

Forgive my ignorance but I am looking for the same RTV you are using and can’t find it please help lol and thank you for sharing your build

[@2carpros]

No problem, I should have put it in the description. It is there now. Thanks for watching!

[@haroldhirhalin1493]

Please explain why you didn’t check your oil clearances.Main and rod bearings?

[@2carpros]

You can if you want to but in my experience with my machine shop they nail it every time. In fact in my Ford build I checked it just for you and it was right on the money. Considering I've been running this engine for years now, pretty sure we are good. Thanks for watching!

[@leebdj1949]

Hey, I got the same gasket kit, with the 8180pt2 head gaskets. I have a 1990 hi perf truck block, casting number 14015445. It has the same number of water jacket holes as the one in this build, and I noticed that gasket covers three holes completely, on the outside, between the cylinders. From what I’ve read, my casting number block has been around up to about 1990, but when you look up a head gasket, based on year, it comes up with felpro 8523pt1, which doesn’t cover the three water holes, for 90-96 454s. Is there a reason why I can’t use the 8180pt2? It’s a bit confusing lol

[@2carpros]

That's strange. I would call Summit Racing's tech support hotline. There might be a silent revision or something like that. I used these head gaskets I linked on my engine and it works perfectly. Just drove my Camaro yesterday actually.

[@leebdj1949]

@@2carpros ok, thanks. I was talking to the engine builder that did my machining, and he also said it should be fine for what I’m doing. It’s going in an off-road buggy, and won’t be high rpm application…most of the time. So far, so good, following your building series! Heads, and valve train installed, intake next. Still waiting for a new oil pan to get to me.

[@widebody53ad]

I am rebuilding my 454 and currently selecting heads and weighing the Edelbrocks you went with vs the 100cc chamber ones they offer. How did you ensure you had adequate valve to piston clearance? Thanks!

[@2carpros]

I trusted in my engine machine shop. You can also call and ask edelbrock and ask if your pistons will fit in that head. They are usually super super cool. Thanks for watching!

[@christophersims5263]

Im new to this. Im doing a 396 build. Is the torque specs and patterns the same for all BBC engines or do they vary?

[@2carpros]

Yeah I'm pretty sure all the big blocks are spec'd the same. Thanks for watching!

[@TubeInspire]

How do we choose the right cylinder heads? Will this complete build work minus the bore? Or recommend the bore for this build?

[@2carpros]

Yeah totally, just make sure you order the right sized pistons. The stock bore is 4 inches ours is 4.030 so only the pistons have to change. Thanks for watching!

[@TubeInspire]

@@2carpros good stuff and thank you for the feedback I literally feel like you are around to help me start asap 🙏 God bless

[@waltercaldeira8611]

If you were using the big oval heads that came off that motor what head gaskets would you use I have 1974 454 motor thanks

[@2carpros]

I'd use something like this, www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-1212/make/chevrolet just measure and make sure it won't restrict flow on the intake runner. Thanks for watching Walter!

[@josephmcgovern404]

How much HP are you thinking it will put out

[@2carpros]

I have seen people with similar builds make right around 550. I'd like to get the car dyno'd but I'm not sure when that would happen.

[@River_Rat280]

What thread sealer did you use on the head bolts ?

[@2carpros]

Just black RTV nothing fancy. Thanks for watching!

[@River_Rat280]

Had no idea you could use that. Thanks for the reply

[@vincentbrooks5666]

Hello. On this installation did you use the 4 bolts that came with the heads or did you use the bolts from the kit you purchased?

[@2carpros]

I used the ARP bolt kit I linked. But the bolt kit is specific for these heads so it has those 4 bolts built right in. Thanks for watching!

[@vincentbrooks5666]

@@2carprosMy Big Block has been sitting in a 68 Camaro for some years before re-starting. Now it smokes out the tailpipe. In your expert opinion is the smoking coming from the valve guides gone bad? I’ve been told this is a common thing with motors that have been sitting a while before re-starting.

[@robertarchebeque7345]

Will stock 781 heads work with this build without any modifications I have a fresh set

[@2carpros]

Yeah for sure. Thanks for watching Robert!

[@robertarchebeque7345]

@@2carpros thanks for your info great job with the build

[@starvin53]

I torn down my engine and found oil covered bolts in the , water pump, intake manifold, and main caps is that normal? Is it ok to build on this block?

[@2carpros]

I would take the engine down to block then send it to an engine machine shop and have it magnafluxed. That will ensure the block is ok to be machined and rebuilt. Thanks for watching Marvin!

[@fasteddie7273]

what camera are you using?

[@2carpros]

Canon Vixia HF G40 Thanks for watching!

[@jrgranados3704]

Hi if i use steel heeds not aluminum .is the same torke. Tkyou

[@2carpros]

Long Head Bolts 75 - 80 Ft/Lbs Short Head Bolts 65 - 68 Ft/Lbs Thanks for watching!

[@artmenchaca4786]

How many videos until completion . ?

[@BigGixx23]

Not that many more steps left until he's done.

[@2carpros]

Hi Art! I'm doing this video series as I go. So that means I'm putting it together almost in real time with the video releases. Long story short. I have no idea how many more till we here it roar. I want to be the definite guide on building a Chevy Big Block here on KZbin for decades to come. Thank you so much for watching!

[@artmenchaca4786]

2CarPros thanks bro , I appreciate and enjoy the series . I am learning a lot.

[@jackyeomans7106]

hey, why did you choose to buy aluminium heads instead of having the old ones machined or bought new cast iron heads?

[@2carpros]

Because they are quite a bit lighter and they gave me the compression ratio and valve spring pressure I wanted. Thanks for watching Jack!

[@janetcotumaccio7436]

Does it matter which side of gasket is up

[@2carpros]

If it does it will say "Front" and that need to face the front of the engine and only goes on one way. Thanks for watching!

[@cotynietling2567]

Do you still have 2 bolt main 454 would ya sell it?

[@2carpros]

I sold it to the machine shop in exchange for doing all the machine work again on my 4 bolt 454. Thanks for watching Coty!

[@enginebuilder2958]

what is the link for the heads??

[@2carpros]

The link is in the description. Thanks for watching Clint!

[@ymangatprov5932]

can i upgrade my Alfa romeo 159 2.2 185hp or remap ... will it work perfect or dead

[@2carpros]

I'm not sure what you mean by that. Thank you for watching!

[@ymangatprov5932]

2CarPros mean is , can be increase hp by remapping?

[@2carpros]

@@ymangatprov5932 I'm sure if it had a tune it would make slightly more power but it might be at the cost of reliability. Thanks for watching!

[@ymangatprov5932]

2CarPros thaks for reply in future i’ll see it,,,

[@Gary-pr7nl]

How much is the block worth

[@2carpros]

Unmachined like 400 bucks. Thanks for watching!

[@cr500mike]

LIKE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@christopherclark5383]

The absolute scariest part....lol

[@2carpros]

Take your time and you will be fine! :)

[@johnbruce1216]

I have a picture of my gasket sitting on the deck if you are interested..you will see the difference.

[@2carpros]

Look closely. It has holes and is fine. Thanks for watching!

[@sqr2024]

Should have timed the spark plugs to the exhaust port.

[@wayno454]

200 thousands? I think you meant 2 thousands.

[@2carpros]

Correct. 0.002 Thanks for watching!

[@dinerosecreto152]

Clean better alcohol 😜😜😜😜😜